Sociology (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) Undergraduate - September 2025/26* Entry

Our Sociology (with Foundation Year) option is a four-year course with an integrated foundation year which leads to the same qualification as our three-year honours degree. It has been specifically designed for those wanting to undertake degree-level study but who may not meet the entry requirements or have traditional qualifications.

Studying Sociology at degree level offer you the chance to investigates social life and the way it shapes people's behaviour, beliefs and identity. Its subject matter ranges from an examination of the face-to-face interactions of daily life, to large-scale social institutions, social movements and global processes. By understanding the social world, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our own social situations.

The Foundation Year (Year 0) offers you the chance to expand and strengthen your confidence, skills and knowledge – ensuring that you are well-prepared and qualified to progress into Year 1 of the undergraduate degree.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• We aim to provide a friendly and informal learning environment.
• The course structure is flexible enough to offer a range of specialisms and a breadth of choice.
• The course is taught by experts in the subject who aim to be innovative and to meet real needs.
• The foundation year and Year 1 are both designed to build your confidence, knowledge and understanding - whatever your background.
• We use a variety of learning approaches, and as well as the development of personal skills we emphasise the development of practical skills in observation, interpretation, information processing and presentation, all of which will be valued by employers.

Additional Course Options

You will have, on average, 6 hours of lectures each week and up to 6 hours of group seminars. You will also complete library research, bibliographic searches, project work, and preparation for presentations. Some modules involve project and/or small group work. Your extended essay involves research in an area of your choice. Visiting speakers give presentations at the School to provide perspective on the subject.

We use a variety of assessment methods including coursework, examinations and the dissertation/extended essay. Some modules are wholly assessed by coursework.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Sociology (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
• The fee for all integrated study abroad years is  £1,385 (2025/26).
• The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).

More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

The study of sociology provides a sound foundation for a wide range of careers in the media, administration, personnel, teaching, and community work. Recent graduates have also gone on to further academic study such as the PGCE and postgraduate qualifications leading to teaching and working in the field of social work.

Employers today need analytical and lateral thinkers who can play a part in almost any working environment. As a result, the breadth and flexibility of a social science degree makes it attractive to almost any employer. Our graduates have followed a wide range of career paths

Those choosing to take advantage of the work placement opportunities (e.g. work placement module, or a placement year) will gain hands on experience and an insight into work opportunities within the broader field.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.