Sociology MA
About this course
This Sociology Masters degree offers you an exciting opportunity to study sociology at an advanced and specialised level with a distinctive focus on the tradition and contemporary forms of public sociology.
The MA Sociology course at NTU has a distinctive and specialist focus on Public Sociology. This is a course that enables you to link theory, research and practice, develop in-depth knowledge and insights as well as build your expertise as Public Sociologist through public engagement activities, projects, creative assessments and the dissertation.
What you’ll study
Public Sociology awakens and empowers your sociological imagination by connecting what you study with the social issues and challenges faced by contemporary civil society. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop advanced and specialist knowledge of sociological theory and research: it supports and challenges you to use this knowledge in ways that directly benefit others. The course is designed and delivered by academic professionals with expertise in carrying out research for and with many different clients, groups and communities. Human rights, migration, and community engagement feature strongly in our research portfolio.
Public Sociology reaches beyond the University, creating the spaces where academics, students and diverse publics can interrogate and apply sociological research and methods to real world situations. From day one of the course, you will take what you learn in the classroom to the various 'publics' of Nottingham and beyond, gaining valuable experience through modules that emphasise working with communities, engaging with local and national policy makers and contributing to debates that ignite public interest.
The course embodies not only the pursuit of understanding, critique and argument essential to advanced sociology, but also a call to action. Through a course design that emphasises the continuous interplay between theory and practice, you will develop both your in-depth knowledge and your practical skills in being a Public Sociologist
Throughout the course you'll explore historical and contemporary issues and debates with a focus on social inequalities and social issues and develop an understanding of a range of global issues. Key issues addressed in the course include human rights, migration, and community engagement. You'll also become part of a lively and creative research culture with staff who have specialist interests in the study of disaster, race, gender and social class.
Through dedicated service learning placements you will apply your sociological imagination in work with practitioners, academics and community members to propose and test solutions to some of the challenges those groups face.
Fellowship of the RSA
As a result of an exciting partnership with the national policy organisation, the RSA, you will also be automatically enrolled as an Honorary Fellow. The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) is an enlightenment organisation committed to finding innovative practical solutions to today's social challenges. Honorary Fellowship will open up a number of opportunities for you to engage with this important national organisation.
This course has been designed to provide a challenging contemporary curriculum, which reflects the specific features of public sociology as an area of specialised advanced study.
The MA Sociology consists of 180 credit points, consisting of four taught modules (30 credit points each) and a dissertation (60 credit points). All modules are compulsory.
Theorising Public Sociology
This module will explore the theoretical origins and contemporary developments of a distinct form of sociology: public sociology. You will be provided with a critical introduction to a range of interpretations of the possible ‘public’ roles of sociology. Beginning from a consideration of Burawoy’s seminal statement on the need for a public sociology, the module will dissect this position and analyse pre-existing traditions of engaged, activist and critical sociology.
The module will also examine contemporary theories of sociological engagement and dissemination with communities and a variety of publics, and the tension between these traditions and the objective ‘scientific’ tradition in sociology. From this you will be able to develop a view on, and place yourself in, a continuum of engaged sociological practice.
Service Learning
This module provides the opportunity to link work within social and civic organisations seeking to make a difference to a wide range of contemporary social issues, and public sociology. Through a service learning placement, you will apply the sociological imagination to issues in the civic sphere, and work with practitioners, academics, and community members to propose and test solutions to some of the challenges those groups face.
Through structured academic input you will also be encouraged to think critically about the sociological debates that have informed contemporary understandings of social citizenship and welfare. The module will explore the following themes: the Social Democratic tradition of social citizenship and welfare; the challenge from the New Right; Communitarian approaches; the relationships between issues of disability, race, class and gender and social citizenship and welfare; race, social citizenship and welfare; gender, social citizenship and welfare.
Contemporary Approaches to Public Sociology
This module explores a number of different contemporary topics of social significance. It does so through a selection of guest lectures and / or self-contained, focused engagements in public sociology drawn from the research areas of current academic staff. The specific module topics will reflect cutting edge issues in research and practice.
Examples of such areas of practice could include:
- Sexualities
- Political activism
- Homelessness
- Community health
- Domestic violence
- The nature of career and employment
- Community health
Issues and Methods in Social Research
The aim of this module is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the theory and methods of social research. You will interrogate key methodological debates regarding the production of knowledge and develop an understanding of a range of research designs and methods. You will also develop a range of skills, enabling you to apply your knowledge to the conduct of research. The module will therefore prepare you for carrying out research for your Dissertation, Work-based Dissertation and Policy Lab modules.
SPS (Social and Political Sciences) Dissertation
The content of this module is different from others due to the nature of the exercise it entails. In many ways the dissertation is the culmination of your knowledge, skills and abilities gained throughout the academic year. Whilst ultimately it will entail a sustained independent engagement with a topic of your choice, regular supervision will be provided to help your research during the planning, preparation, and writing-up process.
The module is supported by a number of workshops which will allow you to develop your ability to design, carry out and present research of a high standard. The workshops will also help you to think about specific research projects and receive formative feedback on your work. Dissertation topics should fall within the overall remit of the courses. The course teams will assist you in negotiating an appropriate topic. The dissertation should demonstrate research skills in a particular context, identifying a problem which is of interest in your discipline, and analysing that problem.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Q&A - MA Sociology
How you're taught
Study and support
The teaching and learning for the course will involve a mixture of lectures, workshops, enquiry-based learning, blended learning, and individual dissertation / project support to ensure that you develop a critical and in-depth understanding of key themes, issues and topics in a supportive environment.
Assessment methods
Assessment will be through a variety of written forms, for example: traditional academic essays, a personal manifesto, reports, and through a presentation, as well as your dissertation.
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying on degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes.
Contact hours
You will have around 8-9 hours per week of contact time with our teaching staff, consisting of lectures, seminars, workshops and one-to-one supervision meetings. 100% of this teaching is in-person. Overall, contact time makes up around 25% of a full-time week, while the remaining 75% of your time will be devoted to independent study.
Careers and employability
It is envisaged that you might be entering the course because at a later date you'll seek employment within the fields of community development, charity and voluntary sectors, social entrepreneurship, or public service. You'll also be well placed to pursue careers and training in a wide variety of professions such as, politics or public administration.
You may consider progressing on to a MPhil / PhD program to continue the intellectual curiosity and imagination the MA will have fostered.
As an MA Sociology graduate you will have had the opportunity to reflect on the subject and the transferable skills that you develop during the course. These include expertise in writing complex yet concise analytical pieces, developing and implementing a research project, and the ability to present in-depth ideas. You will also have been helped and encouraged to articulate those skills in relation to the pursuit of your career development plans.
The course further develops and enhances the qualities and skills desired by prospective employers operating in the ‘third sector’, as well as the academy. Above all, these include independent critical thought, analysis and evaluation, partnership working and organisational skills, and self-directed learning. Furthermore, this course offers the opportunity to develop the following skills: communication, time-management, team-working, and IT and modern technologies.
Employability team
Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about the service.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Chaucer and Newton buildings, at the centre of our vibrant City Campus. As well as a range of classrooms and lecture theatres, the facilities including a mock prison cell, banks of open-access PCs, social spaces for either quiet study or busy group work.
NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to stay busy between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our stylish Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets for every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and much, much more!
Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. It’s stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure. Enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
Applying with prior qualifications
You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (normally a 2.2 or above)
Applying with non-standard entry qualifications/experience
Applicants without such qualifications will be considered but will be required to outline their motivation for study in their personal statement as well as demonstrate an ability to study at postgraduate level.
No references are required when applying for this course.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree or equivalent qualification. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. You will be required to demonstrate how your experiences and knowledge would enable you to study this course at Masters-level in your Personal Statement.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Pre-Masters course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
