Sociology and Global Change MSc

The MSc in Sociology and Global Change is offered as a one-year full-time programme.

You will take compulsory courses that give you a sociological perspective and prepare you for independent dissertation research.

Your four further option courses can address global topics, social theory and research training, depending on your background, experience in research and interests.

Dissertation

The dissertation, a piece of self-designed research with supervisory support, allows you to put your personal stamp on your studies. It is an ideal chance to get to grips with an issue that fascinates you, and excellent preparation for further graduate level study.

The MSc in Sociology and Global Change programme offers the possibility of undertaking placement-based projects.

Placement-based dissertation

The aim of the placement-based dissertation is to provide you with the opportunity to work on your dissertation within the context of a workplace of your choosing, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.

The placements generally consist of eight weeks of research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas, from our network of contacts which includes:

• NGOs
• charities
• social enterprises
• think-tanks
• government bodies

Placements can either be in person, hybrid or undertaken remotely. Ypu are also able to source your own placements subject to university approval.

Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and are by competitive application during Semester 1.

Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option via our dedicated information pages:

• SPS Placement-based dissertation

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

When you complete the degree you will:

• Have a comprehensive overview of key theories, research themes and approaches to understanding global social change from a sociological perspective.
• Be able to design, conduct and present a substantial piece of empirical or theoretical research.
• Be able to contribute to key debates in the specific areas you have chosen to study through the optional courses and in your dissertation.

This programme is extremely relevant if you are seeking employment in:

• consultancy
• the public sector
• UN agencies
• non-governmental organisations
• the private sector
• think-tanks

It will also be valuable if you want to work as a/an:

• academic
• practitioner
• policy maker

Past students have gone on to undertake roles in:

• development and international aid
• the public sector
• academia/think-tanks
• migration NGOs
• environment and conservation
• law
• journalism

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025. A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan

  • family support

• personal savings

• income from work

• employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding