BESS

Studying Sociology through BESS (Business, Economics and Social Studies)

Sociology as part of BESS provides a broad-based education in the social sciences combined with the opportunity to specialise in a chosen subject. All students follow a 'common first year', consisting of six modules including Sociology as one of them. If you choose to specialise in Sociology after that, you will take three Sociology modules in each of second and third years, along with three other optional modules chosen from the other subjects taught in BESS. Your Sociology modules will include a mix of social theory, research methods, and a variety of options.

In fourth year, instead of taking six modules as in the previous years, you take only four modules, including for most students an independent dissertation, which you research and write yourself under the supervision of one of the lecturers in Sociology.

You may choose to take Sociology through BESS either as a Single Honours student or you can undertake a Joint Honours degree. Those pursuing a Single Honours Sociology degree take the Sociology Dissertation and choose three of the remaining modules offered in final year. Students pursuing a Joint Honours Sociology degree take equal numbers of Sociology modules and modules in one of Economics, Political Science, or Business Studies in their final year.

For more information, please visit the BESS Office and the Sociology Undergraduate Handbook (PDF, 922KB).