| UCAS code | L308 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Sociology |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB |
| UCAS code | L307 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Sociology |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| UCAS code | L306 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Sociology |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB |
| UCAS code | L311 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Sociology |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB |
Overview
- You’ll receive technical training in statistical methods, Python and R and learn where social data science can be applied to analyse contemporary social issues
- Run by the prestigious Centre for Computational Social Science (C2S2)
- Designed for those without an advanced mathematical background who wish to study data types and manipulation, web scraping, algorithms, sequences and iteration and data visualisation
- Our broad range of optional modules in your second and third years gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests and develop specialist knowledge on a range of topics
- You’ll gain a full range of social and data science skills suitable for developing careers within business intelligence and business analytics, data journalism, market research and social research
Discover Data Science at the University of Exeter.
Top 15 in the UK for Sociology
Joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Partner to the Alan Turing Institute
Home to Exeter's Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Top 15 for Sociology in the Complete University Guide 2025
Top 15 in the UK for Sociology
Joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Partner to the Alan Turing Institute
Home to Exeter's Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
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 |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| 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
Your first year introduces you to the basics of programming in Python, the most popular programming language for social data science. You will also consider social problems such as social inequalities and mobility, pandemics, immigration and social movements and how social data science skills can be applied to these.
Your second and final years build on your programming and research skills. The increased range of optional modules enable you to tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions. In your final year you will complete a quantitative dissertation enabling you to research an area of interest and apply your data science skills.
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.
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SSI1005 | Introduction to Social Data | 15 |
| SSI1006 | Data Analysis in Social Science 1 | 15 |
| SSI1002 | Programming for the Social Sciences | 30 |
| SOC1001 | Social Analysis | 30 |
Optional modules
Select 30 credits from this list of optional modules.
Other stage 1 options should come from:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=sociology
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics
45 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SSI2004 | Research Design in the Social Sciences | 15 |
| SSI2005 | Data Analysis in Social Science 2 | 15 |
| SSI2007 | Data Analysis in Social Science 3 | 15 |
Optional modules
Select 75 credits from this list of optional modules.
a – Students are required to take 30 credits from these modules over Stages 2 and 3 – SSI2008, SOC2120
Other stage 2 options should come from:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=sociology
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SSI2008 | Mapping the Social World: Introduction to Spatial Analysis in the Social Sciences [See note a above] | 15 |
| SOC2120 | Introduction to Open-source Intelligence (OSINT) [See note a above] | 15 |
30 credits of compulsory modules, 90 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SSI3019 | Quantitative Dissertation | 30 |
Optional modules
Select 90 credits from this list of optional modules.
b – Students are required to take 30 credits from these modules over Stages 2 and 3 – SSI3021, SSI3001, SOC3128
Other Final stage options should come from:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=sociology
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SSI3021 | Mapping the Social World: Introduction to Spatial Analysis in the Social Sciences [See note b above] | 15 |
| SSI3001 | Introduction to Social Network Analysis [See note b above] | 15 |
| SOC3128 | Introduction to Open-source Intelligence (OSINT) [See note b above] | 15 |
Course variants
UCAS code: L307
Our four-year ‘with Industrial 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 Industrial 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: L306
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 faculty 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: L311
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, such as our Global 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.
Learning and teaching
Lectures, seminars and workshops
We make use of a variety of teaching styles, including lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Most modules involve two or three lectures per week, so you would typically have about 10 lectures each week. In addition, workshops and tutorials support and develop what you’ve learnt in lectures and enable you to discuss the lecture material and coursework in more detail. You’ll have over 15 hours of direct contact time per week with your tutors and you will be expected to supplement your lectures with independent study. You should expect your total workload to average about 40 hours per week during term time.
Virtual learning environment
We’re actively engaged in introducing new methods of learning and teaching, including increasing use of interactive computer-based approaches to learning through our virtual learning environment, where the details of all modules are stored in an easily navigable website. You can access detailed information about modules and learning outcomes and interact through activities such as the discussion forums.
A research and practice led culture
We believe every student benefits from being taught by experts active in research and practice. You will discuss the very latest ideas, research discoveries and new technologies in seminars and in the field and you will become actively involved in a research project yourself. All our academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics. You will also be taught by leading industry practitioners.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment through small practical exercises, project work, essay writing, presentations and exam.
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
Your future
Social Data Science provides you with an excellent all-round education, combining subject-specific knowledge and expertise with a wide range of transferable skills sought after by employers. These include:
- Data Science and programming
- Qualitative research skills including interview techniques, focus groups, sensory analysis
- Interpretation and use of qualitative and other data
- Research project design and the use of appropriate methodologies
- High standards of written and oral communication including formulating an argument, presentation and interpersonal skills
- Collation and interpretation of evidence
- Organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
- The ability to work independently and within a team
Career paths
Social Data science offers excellent employment opportunities. As a graduate you will combine technical skills (programming in Python and R, knowledge of statistical methods) and substantive knowledge of the areas where these skills can be applied. The likely career paths include business intelligence and business analytics, data journalism, market research, and social research.
Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award
Many of our students participate in The Exeter Award and The 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 based within Colleges.
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.
Top 15 for Sociology in the Complete University Guide 2025
