BA History and Sociology
About this course
BA (Hons) in History and Sociology, an undergraduate degree examining human societies, historical developments, and cultural dynamics through combined sociological and historical inquiry. Core topics include Data Analysis, Historical Research, Policy Analysis, Research Methods, Social & Cultural Analysis, and Statistics. Students may undertake an optional placement year between the second and final stages of the programme. The first year establishes core foundations through compulsory modules such as Historical Methods and Sources (PDP), Empires, Migrants and Mobility, Nations and Nationalism, 1789-1914, Thinking Sociologically, Making Modern Britain, Media, Culture and Society, and Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice. In subsequent years, students choose from a diverse selection of optional modules covering topics such as global conflict, social theory, gender, politics, and quantitative or qualitative research methods. Optional modules allow further specialisation in areas like the Cold War, modern British history, global conflict, digital societies, and social justice. The curriculum culminates in independent study options enabling students to complete a small-scale research project or a substantial piece of historical research aligned with their academic interests.
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
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 98%
- Assessment and feedback: 100%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 100%
- Learning resources: 100%
- Student voice: 97%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 35%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 53%
- West Midlands: 25%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 3%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Historical Methods and Sources (PDP)
- Empires, Migrants and Mobility
- Nations and Nationalism, 1789-1914
- Thinking Sociologically
- Making Modern Britain
- Media, Culture and Society
- ​​Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice​
- Capitalism, Culture and Class: Social Theory in Classical Modernity
- Globalisation and Social Change
- Researching Society 3: Statistics in Social Research
- Sociology of Gender and Sexuality
- The Cold War: Global Conflict, Culture and Diplomacy, 1945-1991
- Continuity and Change in Contemporary Britain
- Public Conference: Marketing and Presenting the Past
- Living with Dictatorship: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in Comparative Perspective
- The Early Modern Body
- Research in Practice
- Effecting Change
- Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application
- Independent Study
- Kittens, Cupcakes, and Capitalism: A User’s Guide to the 21st Century
- The Sociology of Politics and Protest
- World in Conflict: War, Terrorism and Societies
- Gender and Inequality in the Global Age
- Digital Futures and the Global Networked Society
- Health, Illness and Social Justice
- Populism, Extremism & Violence
- India, Empire, Diaspora: Identity, Violence and Memory Across the Twentieth Century
- Exploring the Slum: The Politics of Poverty in Britain
- Historians and Material Culture
- Rise of the Dragon? China and the World Since 1793
- Britain and Total War
- British Country Houses and Their Families
- Advanced Research in Practice
- History Independent Study (PDP)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA History and Sociology at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £24,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,000 and £31,000. The £24,000 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BA History and Sociology at University of Derby do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA History and Sociology at University of Derby?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA History and Sociology at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 96 UCAS points.
Does BA History and Sociology at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA History and Sociology at University of Derby?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.