MA Sociology
About this course
MA (Hons) in Sociology, a sociology degree focused on examining societies, social institutions, and human interaction. Core topics include Research Methods and Social & Cultural Analysis. The programme offers a four-year undergraduate structure addressing contemporary social issues. The first year introduces foundational concepts through studies of social structure and agency, stratification, race and ethnicity, gender, and social identities. Third-year studies examine social theory alongside specialized areas including environment and risk, globalisation, nationalism, the internet, and the sociology of art. Students in the later stages also learn practical research skills and carry out a group research project.
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: from AAA to AAB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 18%: 59 offers from 325 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 30%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Customer service occupations: 10%
- Information Technology Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 45%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 15%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- London: 15%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 70%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 85%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Modules
- social structure and agency
- stratification
- race and ethnicity
- gender
- social identities
- learn practical research skills
- carry out a group research project
- study social theory
- environment and risk
- globalisation
- nationalism
- the internet
- the sociology of art
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Sociology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £40,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of MA Sociology at University of Edinburgh do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Sociology at University of Edinburgh?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Sociology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 171 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Sociology at University of Edinburgh?
18% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 59 offers from 325 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Sociology at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Sociology at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.