About This Course
Fact File
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Title
Arts
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Code
Available through multiple programmes
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Subject Title
Sociology
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College
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Duration
3 years
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Teaching Mode
Full-time
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Qualifications
BA (Hons)
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Fees
Student Contribution Charge + Capitation Fee: €3,130 See Fees and Costs for full details.
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Entry Requirements
Refer to CK101 and CK108 See Requirements for full details.
Course Outline
Sociology is the study of society as a whole. It shows us how we may think our way through and out of problems, both individually and collectively.
Sociology is concerned with identity and multiculturalism; sexuality and intimacy; media and popular culture; environment and sustainability; law and justice; crime and deviance; anthropology, civilisation and religion; art, culture and literature; health and well-being; politics and community; economy and society.
It is concerned with the modern world, how it has come into being and what challenges and crises it faces, at local, national and global levels. It ask questions about the decline of the power of the church; what it means to be "Irish" in an era of immigration and globalisation; the world financial crisis and the political crisis of Europe; global climate change and the future of Western civilisation.
Sociology helps us understand these problems, in an Irish and an international context.
You will learn research methods and useful skills such as interviewing, surveys and questionnaires, onsite observation and ethnography, discourse analysis and archival research.
Year 1 Modules:
Year 2 Modules:
Core:
Social Theory (classical); Introduction to Social Research
Electives:
Crime & Deviance; Political Sociology, Sociology of Class, Health & Illness; Irish Society; Race, Ethnicity, Migration and Nationalism; Community.
Years 3*/4 Modules:
Core:
Social Theory (contemporary); Research Project
Electives:
Politics; Environment; Media & Communications; Planning & Sustainable Development; Globalisation, Race & Ethnicity; Family, Gender, Sexuality and Inequality; Housing & Habitat; Memory and Trauma, Sociology of Law.
* BA International students spend third year studying in an approved foreign university in a country of the student's major language or subject. They will return to complete their final year in UCC in year 4.
See the College Calendar for additional information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for further information on modules.
Course Practicalities
Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have written examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment.
See here for information on assessment.
Why Choose This Course
Follow in the footsteps of famous sociologists including Michelle Obama and President of Ireland Dr Michael D Higgins.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Study abroad: If you are studying Sociology through the BA International, you will spend Year 3 studying at one of our partner universities abroad. We currently have links with universities in Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden Mexico, and the US.
Work placement: If you study Sociology through the BA or the BA International, you will have the opportunity to avail of a work-placement module in Year 2. You can find out more here.
Skills and Careers Information
Sociology is the study of people and how we interact with one another. Having a good understanding of human relationships can be a bonus in a range of careers across all sectors. Sociology graduates leave university with a broad range of transferable skills, including being able to work to deadlines, make good arguments and think creatively.
Our Sociology graduates have made careers in fields such as:
- media, journalism, and communications
- arts and cultural industries
- human resources
- management
- advertising and marketing
- the civil service, government and public administration
- the Garda Síochána and corrections services
- health, education and social services
- planning, environment and sustainability
- international development and human rights agencies.
Many of our sociologists from UCC have gone on to become lecturers and professors at universities in Ireland, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia.
Requirements
Mature entry applicants
Find out about the mature entry requirements here.
Non-EU Candidates
Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page.
Refer to our International Office page for more information on how to apply to UCC.
Fees and Costs
Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student Contribution and Capitation Fees are payable by the student. In 2021/22 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €130.
For International Fees see our Fees Schedule page.
How Do I Apply
Refer to CK101 and CK108. Students choose Arts subjects when registering for first year.
EU Applicants: The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions. Refer to the CAO page for further information.
Mature Applicants (age 23 or over): See the CAO Mature Applicants page and the Mature Students Admissions Pathway (MSAP) page for essential information on the application process for mature students.
QQI FET/FETAC Applicants: See our QQI FET/FETAC Applicants page.
Non-EU Applicants: Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page.
All Applicants: Please note that the modules listed are indicative of the current set of modules for this course and are subject to change from year to year. Please check the College Calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year.
- In UCC, we use the terms programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.