BA (Hons)
Sociology (with Integrated Foundation Year)
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Why study BA Sociology (with Integrated Foundation Year) at Goldsmiths
This foundation year programme introduces you to sociological ways of thinking about the world around you and will give you the resources to think critically and creatively about a wide range of contemporary social issues.
- Sociology at Goldsmiths is internationally renowned for its inventive and imaginative approach to studying Sociology
- If you do not have the required qualifications for degree-level study, our BA Sociology (with Integrated Foundation Year) offers an alternative entry route.
- The Foundation Year is closely aligned with our undergraduate programmes, teaching you a foundational knowledge of the subject and helping you develop the necessary academic skills. You will select the undergraduate degree you wish to study at the point of application but are able to change as you progress through the foundation pathway if your interests change
- Learn about different sociological theories including life course sociology, cultural sociology, and material culture. An understanding of these theories will leave you well-placed to continue on to our degree programmes
- Discover how history, gender, race, and class shape our lives
- Learn directly from experts in small cohorts, so you won't just be a face in the crowd.
- Gain both subject-specific and transferable skills to prepare for undergraduate study and to enhance your career prospects
- Have the chance to continue your learning off-campus through possible visits to museums, archives or other cultural organisations to enrich your studies in the classroom
- Join our Sociology Society to be part of a forward-thinking community of students, and get involved in the academic life of the College by attending talks, events and film screenings
- Develop your academic skills by learning how to effectively communicate information, arguments, and analysis in written form. You will learn how to successfully deploy techniques such as source evaluation, critical judgment and referencing
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact David Hirsh.
UCAS
Entry requirements
A-level: EE
BTEC: PP
Length
1 year (Foundation) followed by 3 years (Undergraduate Degree)
Fees
Home - full-time: £9250
International - full-time: £19640
Departments
Sociology
Centre for Academic Language and Literacies
What you'll study
Developing your academic skills
Alongside direct preparation for an undergraduate degree in Sociology, you will take two modules with our Centre for Academic Language and Literacies (CALL). These modules will help you develop the broader academic and research skills required for undergraduate study.
You will also learn how key social and political movements of the period have influenced the world we live in today through a cross-disciplinary module: Culture and Society in Post-war Britain. This module will cover topics such as 'Windrush and Migration', 'Irish Colonisation', 'Second-wave Feminism', 'Protest and Punk' and 'South-Asian Britain'.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Reading and Writing Your World | 30 credits |
| Building Your Research World | 30 credits |
| Culture and Society in Postwar Britain | 30 credits |
| Our Lives Through Objects | 15 credits |
| Empires, Nations and Lines on the Map: Postcolonial Perspectives on Global History | 15 credits |
Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Teaching Style
The Foundation Year provides you with core disciplinary and academic skills, as well as acting as a supportive bridge to induct you into university life. During your studies, you will be housed and supported within the Department of Sociology to ensure you are integrated into the department's ways of working before progressing onto your undergraduate degree.
How you'll be assessed
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods that broaden your academic skillset. These include coursework assignments such as essays, presentations, critical commentaries, and personal reflections as well as seen examinations.
Entry requirements
We accept the following qualifications:
A-level: EE
BTEC: PP
You are also required to have achieved a Level 2 qualification in GCSE English at Grade 4 or above.
For candidates who have not studied any Level 3 qualifications in the last two years, there are no formal qualifications required for admission, but you will need to demonstrate that you can benefit from the programme by undertaking an additional admissions process. This may involve an interview or request for the submission of written information used to assess suitability to study.
If you can't find your qualification here, then please visit our entry requirements page for a list of alternative qualifications.
International Qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 to study this programme.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the UG fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £9250
- International - full-time: £19640
If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your programme, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Skills and careers
Skills
You will develop important transferable skills during your time in the Department of Sociology. Some of the skills you will gain through your Foundation Year include:
- Effective communication through writing
- Critical and analytical skills
- Conducting various research methods
- The ability to bring together insights from a range of subjects
Careers
You will also develop an appreciation for a range of career progression pathways. This will include:
- An awareness of different careers available to sociology graduates and further study on our postgraduate degrees
- Access to elite placement opportunities in a variety of different employment sectors, including in the creative and cultural industries
- Connecting with local urban regeneration initiatives to enhance your career options
- Linking with employment opportunities in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public sector administration
- Keeping attuned to new challenges in the labour market with the growth of digital media, artificial intelligence (AI) and social media
- Work placements designed to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through access to a broad range of networks, providing insight into potential work environments
- Inter-disciplinary work on entrepreneurial skills to enable you to develop your employability potential
