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Undergraduate Study

BA Sociology and Anthropology - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code L3L6
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Sociology
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 723192

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A-Level: AAB
IB: 34/665
BTEC: DDD

Contextual offers

A-Level: BBB
IB: 30/555
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • Gain an insight into culture and society and explore the nature and complexity of human social life and the key challenges faced by diverse human societies
  • You’ll examine social, political, historical, cultural and economic issues and social groups such as families, companies, churches, crowds and political parties
  • Our diverse range of modules cover everything from addiction and consumption to race and cyborg studies meaning you can tailor your degree to your own interests and career aspirations
  • You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with and be inspired by academic staff who are at the cutting edge of research and academic debate
  • We’ll provide you with a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers across a wide range of careers from social research to teaching or management

View 2024 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for Sociology

Joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Arrows crossing over icon

Commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research

Medal with star on icon

Top 15 for Sociology in the Complete University Guide 2025

Earth icon

100% of our Sociology research has internationally excellent impact

Based on research impact rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021. Our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for Sociology

Joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Arrows crossing over icon

Commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research

Medal with star on icon

Top 15 for Sociology in the Complete University Guide 2025

Earth icon

100% of our Sociology research has internationally excellent impact

Based on research impact rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021. Our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA

Doing Sociology and Anthropology meant that there were so many modules to choose from. I found all of my lecturers and tutorial leaders to be engaging and they helped to make the course even more interesting. It’s given me a new world-view on a number of topics I wouldn’t necessarily have considered.

I have also met so many people through the flexibility of the course being mixed with criminology, politics, anthropology, psychology (and more) students which has meant that I have also been able to see how different disciplines think academically compared to my main discipline of sociology. It is really interesting to have friends who think very differently to you but on the same thing!

Read more from Genevieve

Genevieve

Undergraduate student, BA Sociology and Anthropology

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAB N/A
IB 34/665 N/A
BTEC DDD N/A
GCSE C or 4 English Language
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade N/A
T-Level Distinction N/A
Contextual Offer

A-Level: BBB
IB: 30/555
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Course content

The Sociology and Anthropology degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year. In combined honours degrees like this you will take an equal amount of credits from each subject.

Depending on your programme you can take up to 30 credits each year in another subject, for instance a language or business module, to develop career-related skills or just widen your intellectual horizons.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

The first year gives you a foundational knowledge of sociological and anthropological theory and concepts, and how to think critically about the key challenges of studying diverse human societies. You will also gain important analytical techniques that will be useful across a range of subjects and research tasks.

120 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

60 credits of compulsory Sociology modules, and 60 credits of compulsory Anthropology modules

CodeModule Credits
SOC1000 Contemporary Society: Themes, Perspectives and Case Studies 30
SOC1001 Social Analysis 30
SPA1000 Imagining Social Worlds 30
ANT1000 Introduction to Social Anthropology 30

In the second year you will advance your grasp of sociological and anthropological knowledge and methods through a set of compulsory modules. Optional modules enable you to develop specialist knowledge on a range of topics.

90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules.

 

Compulsory modules

60 credits of compulsory Sociology modules, and 30 credits of compulsory Anthropology modules

CodeModule Credits
SPA2000 Knowing the Social World 30
SOC2005 Theoretical Sociology 30
ANT2000 Current Debates in Anthropology 30

Optional modules

30 credits of Stage 2 Anthropology modules.

View option modules here (ANT)

 

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

 

Compulsory modules

a - Students must choose one of the two dissertation modules

CodeModule Credits
SOC3040 Dissertation [see note a above]30
ANT3040 Anthropology Dissertation [see note a above]30

Optional modules

If taking Sociology Dissertation, select a further 30 credits of Sociology options and 60 credits Anthropology options. 

If taking Anthropology Dissertation, select a further 30 credits of Anthropology options and 60 credits Sociology options.

View option modules here (ANT)

View option modules here (SOC)

 

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

 

Course variants

UCAS code: L3L7

Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.

Why Study Abroad?

Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.

Where can I Study Abroad?

We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.

Does it count towards my degree?

Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are Studying Abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. Please refer to your College Study Abroad co-ordinator for further details.

How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?

For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. You will continue to receive a maintenance loan if you are eligible for this whilst on your Study Abroad year.

UCAS code: L3L8

Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements within the UK as part of your degree.

Why choose to include Employment Experience?

Undertaking graduate-level work during your degree unlocks a world of experience that allows you to develop essential employability and interpersonal skills that relate to your degree and future career. A work placement will dramatically boost your confidence, enhance your CV and develop graduate level skills and competencies that employers are looking for.

Where will I do my work placement?

The sector you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.

How does it affect my tuition fees and funding?

For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.

Find out more

Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities.

UCAS code: L3L9

Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements as part of your degree.

Why choose to include Employment Experience Abroad?

Spending up to a year living and working in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. By carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements abroad you can demonstrate to employers your adaptability, cultural awareness, independence and resourcefulness and, depending on where you stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language.

Where will I do my work placement?

The sector and country you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.

How does it affect my tuition fee?

For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.

Is the placement paid?

You will be paid in accordance with the rules of the country you work in and there may be visa restrictions or requirements which you need to consider when applying.

Find out more

Visit our website to learn more about employment experience opportunities.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.

Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

How will I learn

We use a wide range of teaching and learning methods and also ensure that you have regular tutorials with your tutor, together with a small group of students to discuss oral and written assignments. Teaching includes:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Group work
  • Practical exercises
  • Small group tutorials
  • Independent study

You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.

How will I be assessed?

  • Exams
  • Essays
  • Projects
  • Field work notebooks
  • Dissertation in your final year

You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification

ExeTalks

ExeTalks are a chance to discover some of the fascinating research undertaken at the University of Exeter delivered by the academics who teach on our programmes.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law (Penryn Campus only)
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

student wearing mortar board on graduation

As a Sociology and Anthropology graduate you will have the ability to understand human culture, society and behaviour which will be attractive to employers across a wide spectrum of employers. Alongside this you will also develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills including:

  • Analytical, critical and independent thinking
  • Qualitative research
  • Interview techniques and running of focus groups
  • Sensory analysis and interpretation and use of data
  • Independent research
  • Discussion and group work
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Articulating ideas and arguments
  • Organising, planning and time management

Career paths

The wealth of transferable skills gained on a Sociology degree enables graduate to pursue further study or employment in a wide range of careers including:

  • Actuaries, economists and statisticians
  • Archivists and curators
  • Information technology professionals
  • Insurance underwriters
  • Legal associate professionals
  • Management consultants and business analysts
  • Police officers
  • Prison service officers
  • Teaching professionals
  • Youth and community workers

Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award

Many of our students participate in the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

Developing your skills and career prospects

We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.

The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.

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