BA Philosophy and Sociology
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Sociology, a sociology and philosophy degree focused on exploring fundamental questions and societal transformations. Core topics include Social & Cultural Analysis, Research Methods, and Data Analysis. The curriculum culminates in a final-year independent project or dissertation. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory and core studies such as Problems of Philosophy A, Introduction to Social Divisions, and The Sociological Imagination. The second year advances learning with topics covering Modern Sociological Theory and Social Research II, alongside a wide range of specialized modules like Climate and Environmental Ethics, Feminist Philosophy, and Poverty, Class and Inequality. The final year allows students to pursue advanced interests through options such as Contemporary Social Theory, Political Sociology, and Technology & Society, alongside independent research modules including the Philosophical Project and the Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Dissertation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: ABB. IB: 6,5,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall.. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD. See below for full information.
See the highest paying Social Sciences degrees in the UK →
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 48 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 63%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 12%
- Teaching Professionals: 11%
- Sales occupations: 9%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 105 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 9%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 26%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 26%
- South East: 14%
- South West: 7%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Problems of Philosophy A
- Problems of Philosophy B
- Introduction to Social Divisions
- Social Research I
- The Sociological Imagination
- Philosopher's Toolkit A
- Philosopher's Toolkit B
- Moral and Political Philosophy
- Reasons to Believe
- Modern Sociological Theory
- Social Research II
- Aesthetics through History
- Climate and Environmental Ethics
- Elements of Metaphysics
- Experience and Reason: Early Modern Philosophy
- Feminist Philosophy
- Logic
- Philosophy of Mental Health
- Science and Nature
- Sex, Ethics & Philosophy
- The Ethics of Killing
- Gender and Sexuality
- Housing, Home and Place: Issues in Policy
- Poverty, Class and Inequality
- Race and Racism
- Contemporary Social Theory
- Philosophical Project
- Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Dissertation
- Being Good and Doing Right: Issues in Contemporary Moral Theory
- Fantastic Beasts and How to Understand them: Topics in Philosophy of Biology
- It's About Time!
- Just War
- Nietzsche
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Prejudice Race + Gender
- Reason and Belief
- Social Justice
- Topics in Philosophy of Religion
- Political Sociology
- Technology & Society
- Harmful Societies: Crime, Social Harm and Social Justice
- Crime and the City
- Divided Publics?
- Quantitative Data Analysis
- Professional Development
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy and Sociology at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £42,000. The £32,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy and Sociology at University of Birmingham do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy and Sociology at University of Birmingham?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy and Sociology at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy and Sociology at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy and Sociology at University of Birmingham?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.