What are the benefits of studying society?

Sociology is the study of society – how it works, why it works, and how it could change. It’s a fascinating subject that covers all aspects of modern life on the planet.

But you may be asking yourself, “Why should I study a Sociology degree?”. Here are five reasons why we think you should consider it.

Transferable skills

University is about a lot of things, but at the end of the day you want to get a job out of it. Sociology degrees open doors to a wide range of career options.

This is thanks to it teaching such a wide variety of subjects, all of which equip you with different key skills that can be applied to a huge range of careers. Our Sociology course at the School of Social Sciences offers modules looking at such diverse topics as crime, culture, media, politics and identity. Such an extensive background means you can apply for job roles across several industries. 

Sociology Courses

Different points of view

The university experience isn’t just about the job at the end of it though – it’s also about the fellow students you meet along the way.

Sociology has always been a degree with a very diverse studentship. As it attracts people interested in exploring society through many different avenues, you are unlikely to find a more unique group of people on any other degree course.

How can this help you? Well for one thing having so many different life experiences in one place means that you are introduced to so many different ways of thinking. Sociology after all is about looking at the world in different ways – and your classmates can help illustrate this better than anything.

Adaptable

From varied life experiences to varied topics of study. As Sociology isn’t limited to one industry, or even one way of thinking for that matter, it is one of the most popular joint honour subjects at universities.

At the School of Social Sciences, we offer Sociology as a joint honours degree with our other two subject areas – Criminology and Psychology. On a Sociology and Criminology pathway, you not only study society, but also crime, and how the two are universally linked. Psychology and Sociology on the other hand looks to deeply explore why society is the way it is by examining the human psyche.

This diversification is a great way to stand out from fellow candidates when applying for a job.

Always changing

Sociology isn’t a subject rooted in the past. It is always adapting to suit the society it is trying to study. Sociology is about looking forward to all the changes on the horizon.

That is why we were so proud to be the first university in Europe to offer a BA (Hons) degree in Black Studies. A well-established subject in America, our School of Social Sciences felt it was time to explore this very important subject in modern society.

And that was just the start – as society the world over becomes more accepting of minorities and sub-cultures, sociology will continue to adapt, creating new degrees that aim to increase our understanding of the world we live in.

Making a difference

The biggest reason to consider studying a Sociology degree is the ability it grants students to make a real difference in the community. Our mix of modules aim to equip students with a wide understanding of topics that effect people on local, national and international scales.

By studying sociology and moving into a career within government, local community programmes or charities, you can really help effect positive change where you live. You could also look to impact people on a personal level in roles such as a youth worker or family support officer.

Does that sound like something you would like to achieve with your university degree? Then why not take a look at the Sociology courses we offer here at the School of Social Sciences at Birmingham City University.

Sociology Courses

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