Undergraduate BSc (Hons)

Sociology with Foundation Year

School of Health and Society

Attendance

Full-time

Course

Four year

Next enrolment

September 2024

Introduction

In a nutshell

Please note that this programme is currently in the process of being reviewed, and the content of the programme may be subject to changes.

The Foundation Year programme will help you develop an understanding of the key subjects in the social sciences so that you can continue to successfully study your degree in Sociology or a related subject.

This foundation year is part of a four-year pathway which will prepare you to study your chosen social sciences course.  There will also be a limited number of places on our BSc Social Work programme for suitable students of this foundation year.

The key areas of study are effective communication and study skills, combined with fundamental subjects in the social sciences. You will study modules on sociology, criminology, social policy and social care to explore inequalities associated with gender, class, race, disability and health, using different theories to understand social change and how societies try to address inequalities and discrimination.

You will:

  • Be introduced to basic theories and concepts within the disciplines to provide a basic knowledge in all related subject areas.
  • Use different theories to understand social change and how societies try to address inequalities and discrimination.
  • Examine key ideas in political and social thought, discussing ideas of citizenship and democracy and learning about the development of policy.

This is for you if...

1.

You want to continue on to any of our undergraduate social sciences courses, including Sociology.

2.

You need extra support to help you progress.

3.

You have a keen interest in changing society.

Course details

All about the course

The aims of the programme is to: 

  • Improve competence in essential areas of social sciences necessary for progression onto social science degrees.
  • Develop factual, theoretical knowledge, skills and understanding necessary for progressing in social science subjects.
  • Develop analytical, critical and problem-solving skills in social science subjects.
  • Develop digital/IT skills.
  • Develop communication and study skills.

BSc (Hons) Sociology

In the first year, all modules are compulsory and we will equip you with the study skills needed to get the best out of your degree and introduce you to both the nature and scope of research in sociology.

In your second year and third years, you will build on these foundations by looking in more detail at different theoretical perspectives in sociology and studying research problems and methods. 

Across years two and three, seven options must be taken, a minimum of five from Sociology and a maximum of two from Criminology/Language. However, you make your combination, in year two you must choose one option for semester one and two options for semester two. The modules listed below are usually offered every year, so could be taken either in year two or year three.

You have one core module in the third year – for this, you must choose one of the independent study options (see below). You then have to choose four optional modules from the lists above to complete your 120 credits for year three: two for semester one, and two for semester two.

Foundation year

Introduction to Counselling

What is counselling? What does it mean to be an effective citizen? Counselling skills of active listening, empathy, respect and genuineness, identifying our values, beliefs and barriers to communication, enhancing personal development. This module introduces you to basic counselling skills and the skills and qualities required to be an effective citizen. The assessment strategy will prepare you for interview for admission to undergraduate Counselling and Psychotherapy programmes. The assignment is a personal learning statement which will require you to make your own learning plan for the future.

Introduction to Sociology

In this module we use sociological concepts and theories to explore the changing nature of British society. You will examine issues such as race, gender, social class, childhood, the family.

Social Care Practice

This module aims to introduce you to key ideas about social care practice. Key models of practice and values will be explored in order to equip you with the knowledge to meet the requirements of this level of study. The focus on culturally competent practice and service user led provision will help you to understand the needs for practice that recognises a range of needs and is able to respond to individuals living within the community. The assessment strategy is designed to measure academic knowledge and communication skills with an explicit relationship between the lectures, seminars, learning outcomes and assessments.

Understanding Criminology

The module introduces fundamental questions in criminology: What is crime? What causes crime? How does crime and criminal justice affect us? How should we best respond to criminal behaviour? In addressing these questions, key concepts will be explored. You will have the opportunity to choose a particular type of crime or deviance, then apply the various fundamental questions raised by the module week by week. The case studies will help you to apply concepts to contemporary issues. You will have the opportunity to consider different policy and practice solutions for criminal justice ‘industry’.

Understanding Social Policy

This module aims to introduce you to key ideas in social policy. The focus on the British experience of welfare services is designed to encourage you to examine welfare provision from different perspectives, use theory to explain social change and critically assess existing institutions such as the NHS, benefits and housing systems. Lectures include topics such as; meeting needs and the different welfare providers, introduction to social divisions; researching race/ethnicity in the media, political and ideological influence on policy, the feminist perspective (worker, wife, mother, carer), disability and education, poverty in the UK, tax and benefits, the winners and losers.

University Life

This module has been designed to promote a positive and supportive transition from further to higher education, focusing initially on the importance of wellbeing to successful study.  The module will provide a firm grounding in the key skills required to be able to read, write and present in the academic world.  You will embed your learning through a series of large and small group activities using a problem-based approach.  Small group work will allow for regular, tailored feedback specific to small group tasks and group dynamics with a focus on your future chosen vocation. Following the completion of the module, you should feel very prepared for your journey at level 4 and beyond.

Year one

Contemporary Challenges in Crime and Society

This module will explore contemporary global challenges and complexities in crime and society. Each week, the module will spotlight a distinct social issue, aiming to enhance awareness and provide students with the tools to comprehend, critically assess, and address responses at the local, national, international, and global levels. The focus extends to understanding how these responses generate new challenges. Furthermore, students will develop the ability to analyse and approach these issues drawing from various perspectives within the social sciences. Emphasis will be placed on cultivating a critical mindset, utilising theory and research to deepen comprehension. The module will prioritise workplace skills such as teamwork, project planning, and research capabilities. It will assess the significance of knowledge in a functioning society and equip students with academic skills essential for progressing in their degree. A key aspect of this module involves fostering cohort identity through discipline-specific seminar groups and collaborative group work. 

This module will utilise a blend of lectures, seminars, and practical workshops. Lectures will be delivered to the entire module cohort, followed by seminars conducted in subject-specific groups to foster cohort identity. The primary focus will be on enabling students to cultivate essential social science competencies and skills through both independent study and collaborative group activities. 

Criminal Justice and Human Rights

You will be introduced to the form, key features and purpose of the institutions of the contemporary criminal justice system in England and Wales and begin an exploration of the issues relating to justice and civil liberties.

Culture, Power and Deviance

You will become familiar with sociological approaches to the understanding of culture, and the relationship between culture, power and identity. You will examine the social and cultural construction of identity and consider the formation of collective and individual identity, as forces of control and opportunity. 

Social Divisions and Inequality

You will be introduced to social scientific concepts and theories about the nature of social divisions, diversity and social inequality in advanced industrial societies. You will develop an understanding of evidence about major forms of social division and their causes and social consequences and compare alternative explanations of complexity and differentiation in contemporary society.

Social Justice in Action

This model explores a wide range of social justice issues such as racial injustice, poverty, gender inequality, ageism, LGBTIQ+ rights, migration, care, disability rights, crime and climate change. We will be looking at these issues on a local level and explore what is done in Greater Manchester to address them. For that purpose, we will look at what actions local authorities, statutory organisations, third-sector organisations and campaigning groups take to respond to social justice issues locally. A focus will be on the importance of advocacy and activism in challenging disadvantage and inequality and raising awareness of local issues.

Students will be encouraged to apply knowledge and study skills acquired in semester 1 (critical thinking, application of theory, research skills, group work, project planning) to assess awareness-raising campaigns and propose a campaign of change.  

Thinking Sociologically

You will develop knowledge of the major forms of sociological reasoning and the ability to think sociologically about the major problems and issues in society and social life. You will gain an understanding of key concepts in sociology and of the contribution of sociological inquiry to explaining social dynamics.

Year two

Globalisation, Society and Crime

The module content is divided into two key themes. The first explores society in a global context including issues of identity, culture and economics. Path dependencies with the colonial era are also considered, with a focus on the divisions and inequalities that exist between the Global North and the Global South. Theme two considers how, in the context of such a globalised world, crime and social harm are experienced, managed and theoretically understood. 

Assessment will consist of either of the following:

- 2,500 word essay
- Video presentation

Research Problems and Methods: Making it count

You will gain an understanding of the survey research process, including forming a suitable research question, operationalisation, and types of sampling strategy. You will gain knowledge of key concepts in quantitative research, including statistical significance and probability and practical experience of alternative methods of analysing qualitative data.

Research Problems and Methods: Qualitatively better

You will develop an understanding of competing methodological approaches to social research. The focus throughout this module will be on learning and experiencing applied methods to address “real world” research social problems. You will gain a working knowledge, and practical experience of, alternative methods of collecting, reporting and presenting qualitative data.

Understanding the Social World

You will develop an understanding of the key schools of thought in sociological inquiry and evaluate the contribution of sociological inquiry to social life. You will analyse the relationships between individuals and their social settings and groups, and critically compare different sociological approaches and their implications for understanding the dynamics of social structures.

Optional modules - you will choose one of the following optional modules:

Critical Perspectives on Policing

You will be introduced to issues surrounding the policing and social control in the past, in contemporary society and in the future, and analyse how social control and surveillance are manifested. You will identify the implications for policing and social control studies on wider sociology as well as policy and practice. 

Critical Victimology

This module offers students an opportunity to develop and apply knowledge on victimology, including causes, processing and responses to victimisation at individual, community and criminal justice levels. The criminological approaches (including theory) and (national and international) policy responses to victims and their needs are examined from a critical criminological approach. 

Environmental Justice

We live in a globally responsible world where decisions taken at a local level inevitably have a global impact. Addressing issues of environmental concern through a lens of social justice, this module invites you to think critically about the most pressing issue of our life – the Climate Crisis and you will examine this through both a Sociological and Criminological lens, emphasising the ‘Local to Global’ policy-making across subjects as interconnected as, climate change and activism, environmental ideology and Eco-Fascism, human rights, and the rural/urban divide. During this module, you will become equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools to analyse the complex interactions between environmental and social systems, and to advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future. 

Assessment will consist of the following:

- Individual Podcast interview (100%)

Human Rights, Genocide and Resistance

This module addresses the complex and often paradoxical relationships between human rights, extreme human rights abuses, particularly genocide, and resistance to such abuses. Its distinctiveness lies in providing students with interdisciplinary, theoretically informed approaches to human rights, genocide and resistance.

Internet Risk and Security

On this module you will critically engage with ideas concerning social and cultural issues associated with risk and security regarding the uses of the internet.

Violence in Society

An overview of the conceptualisation of “violence”. You will examine debates concerning violence in various aspects of life, consider the contemporary debates surrounding violence in a range of contexts, trace the development of theorisations of violence and consider ethical, methodological and practical issues involved in the researching of violence.

You can replace an option with a University Wide Language module at level 5.

University Wide Language Programme

This module provides the opportunity to learn or develop a language with the University-wide language programme.

Year three

Dissertation

You will examine a sociological or criminological topic of your choice in an independent piece of research, exploring an area of your own academic, professional or personal interest.

Work: Practice and Reflection

You will engage in work based learning, making practical and conceptual connections between the academic study of sociology and criminology and work based activities. You will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of critical reflection.

You will choose four of the following optional modules - two in semester one and two in semester two:

Bodies: Biology to Blushing

This module aims to denaturalise your understanding of the body and promote a sociological conception of both biology and human emotion. You will become familiar with sociologically thinking about the body, including the gendering and racialisation of bodies and you will explore the impact of modern genetics and other technological advancements on contemporary social life.

Crime, Society and Racialisation

You will gain an understanding of the construction of deviant labels based on variables of ethnicity, gender and youth, and the relationship between these labels and crime. You will engage with issues surrounding experiences of crime and encounters with the criminal justice system. You will also compare crime policies on a national and international scale and look at a number of historical and contemporary case-studies.

Critical Approaches to (Counter) Terrorism

Terrorism has become the issue of our times and it has been at the heart of a reordering of society and the world at large. Key to this reordering has been the notion of ‘new terrorism’: that post 9/11 terrorism is of a ‘new’ form. This module provides students with a systematic understanding of terrorism and counterterrorism in the twenty first century. It interrogates the ‘new terrorism’ thesis, charts the development & expansion of counterterrorism with ‘soft-power’ techniques, and analyses UK counter-terrorism policing practice and policy. Finally, the module analyses the way in which UK counterterrorism has influenced and shaped national security policies across the world.  

Assessment will consist of either of the following:

- 3,500 word essay
- Oral presentation

Critical Perspectives on Policing

You will be introduced to issues surrounding the policing and social control in the past, in contemporary society and in the future, and analyse how social control and surveillance are manifested. You will identify the implications for policing and social control studies on wider sociology as well as policy and practice. 

Critical Victimology

This module offers students an opportunity to develop and apply knowledge on victimology, including causes, processing and responses to victimisation at individual, community and criminal justice levels. The criminological approaches (including theory) and (national and international) policy responses to victims and their needs are examined from a critical criminological approach. 

Digital Society

On this module you will learn about the many ways society is being transformed by digital technologies such as social media platforms and mobile apps, including how we work, how we communicate, and how we form relationships. You will discuss key ethical issues such as mass surveillance, cybercrime and ‘digital poverty’ and learn from organisations working to address these issues.

Environmental Justice

We live in a globally responsible world where decisions taken at a local level inevitably have a global impact. Addressing issues of environmental concern through a lens of social justice, this module invites you to think critically about the most pressing issue of our life – the Climate Crisis and you will examine this through both a Sociological and Criminological lens, emphasising the ‘Local to Global’ policy-making across subjects as interconnected as, climate change and activism, environmental ideology and Eco-Fascism, human rights, and the rural/urban divide. During this module, you will become equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools to analyse the complex interactions between environmental and social systems, and to advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future. 

Assessment will consist of the following:

- Individual Podcast interview (100%)

Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice

This module offers a broad introduction to the gendered dimensions of crime/criminality, criminal victimisation, criminal justice, and penology, and of the gendered theorising which attempts to account for this. It looks at the significance of gender to our understandings of and responses to crime and deviant behaviour.

Human Rights, Genocide and Resistance

This module addresses the complex and often paradoxical relationships between human rights, extreme human rights abuses, particularly genocide, and resistance to such abuses. Its distinctiveness lies in providing students with interdisciplinary, theoretically informed approaches to human rights, genocide and resistance.

Identities and Interactions

You will gain an understanding of the features of interactionist sociology and recognise how interactionist sociology differs from other ways of studying the social world. You will look at the ways in which theoretical approaches can be applied in areas such as socialisation and education, work and employment, and health and illness, and gain an understanding of the problems and opportunities of ‘working in a tradition’.

Internet Risk and Security

On this module you will critically engage with ideas concerning social and cultural issues associated with risk and security regarding the uses of the internet.

Migration and Socio-Legal Dynamics

This module explores the complex interconnections within the field of migration studies and human rights, as related to various identities, i.e. gender, sexuality, religion, race and ethnicity. Students will be introduced to a range of theoretical approaches and critically examine the socio-legal frameworks, policies, and ethical dilemmas surrounding the rights of migrants, refugees, and displaced communities. By employing an intersectional and multi-layered analytical approach, students will gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of various social identities and their impact on the migration process. Here, we will focus on particular case studies such as children and young people, women and queer migrants, and their experiences in hostile migration environments (such as the UK and EU).

When exploring case studies and contemporary issues relating to migration, links will be made to historical contexts and processes of racialisation that shape discourses of migration. The lecturers will draw on their own experiences and research, and there will be guest lectures by other experts by experience. A mixed teaching approach will be used, with lectures, workshops and tutorials all delivered interactively.

Students will be introduced to and encouraged to access and use a range of sources, including: - academic texts, journal articles, web sites, policy documents/legislation, research findings, literature from pressure groups, media sources.  

Assessment will consist of any of the following:

- Portfolio (100%)
- 3,500 word essay (100%)
- Individual pre-recorded presentation (alternative assessment) - 20min (100%)

Prisons and Punishment

You will develop an understanding of the evolution of the modern prison and of the relationship between prisons, probation, the courts and the media and the economic and social environment in which they operate. You will gain an understanding of the impacts of punishment with regard to age, gender and ethnicity and consider criminal justice institutions, policies, and practices in their contexts. 

Probation and Rehabilitation

You will gain an understanding of rehabilitation and personal change, developing a critical appreciation of how dominant theoretical approaches underpin professional practice in criminal justice. You will consider the development of probation services and related interventions (including substance misuse) in their historical, cultural, political and conceptual contexts and develop an understanding of the relationship between rehabilitation and diversity. You will be encouraged to take a critical, reflexive approach and consider the purposes and challenges of delivering rehabilitation in the penal system, substance misuse services and related industry.

The Criminal Justice Process - Crim w Counselling

You will gain an overview of the philosophy, nature, significance, outcomes and consequences of the criminal justice process and explore how it functions. You will think critically about key aspects of the criminal justice process and examine the interaction between different actors and agencies involved, and between the criminal justice process and politics, the community and the media. You will also have the opportunity to engage with professionals working in every stage of the criminal justice process.

Violence in Society

An overview of the conceptualisation of “violence”. You will examine debates concerning violence in various aspects of life, consider the contemporary debates surrounding violence in a range of contexts, trace the development of theorisations of violence and consider ethical, methodological and practical issues involved in the researching of violence.

Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

What will I be doing?

Teaching

A wide range of teaching methods is used according to the nature of the module e.g. lectures, seminars, reflective practice, guided study, teamwork, and oral presentations. A number of alternative learning technologies are applied throughout the programme including podcasts, virtual learning environment, Facebook, YouTube and a student response system to provide an interactive experience for you.

Assessment

You will be assessed during the foundation year through the methods below:

  • Group presentation and Individual reflective essay
  • Personal learning statement essay
  • Written exam 
  • Essays x 2
  • 5-minute presentation
  • Portfolio project
  • Reflective portfolio

To find out more about assessment on the remaining three years, please visit the BSc (Hons) Sociology programme page

School of Health and Society

The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.

Our courses are informed by the latest research and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

You will be equipped with transferable skills in areas such as research, IT, critical thinking and advanced problem solving, which will provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a diverse range of professions.

A degree in sociology provides a strong foundation for a range of occupations from policing to prison and probation work to journalism and social administration. It is also a good general social sciences degree providing you with the skills vital in jobs such as administration, public service, and research.

You will be equipped with transferable practical skills including conducting research, delivering presentations, report writing and teamwork.

Our graduates enter a wide range of careers including commerce, management and administration. Others undertake postgraduate vocational training in teaching, law or social work or go on to further academic study.

Graduates of the course have gone on to work for the Racial Equality Council, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Disability Rights Commission, HM Prison Service, and the Probation Service. Other common career paths of our graduates include:

  • The civil service
  • Legal professions
  • Community, health and social work
  • Journalism and media
  • Postgraduate courses, research and teaching
  • Government advisory departments
  • Investigating justice and victim support
  • Policy and administration

A taste of what you could become

A Public Service Worker

A Prison or Probation Worker

A Researcher

A Government Advisory Worker

A Journalist

And More...

Requirements

What you need to know

This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page

Applicant profile

You would have a keen interest in changing society with perhaps some experience in the social sciences from school or college. If you have practical knowledge of a change in the systems that provide welfare services, economic, political and social structures this programme can assist you in the development of your ideas and progression. Career opportunities are widespread across all sectors depending on the degree path chosen. 

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

English language and Maths at grade C/ grade 4 or above.

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

UCAS Tariff points

80 UCAS Tariff points.

A level

80 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of two A2 subjects.

BTEC National Diploma

MMP (BTEC Extended Diploma), MM (BTEC Diploma).

Scottish Highers

80 UCAS Tariff points.

Irish Leaving Certificate

80 UCAS Tariff points.

European Baccalaureate

80 UCAS Tariff points equivalent.

Access to HE

80 UCAS Tariff points.

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

How much?

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2024/25 £8,250.00 for Foundation Year and £9,250.00 for subsequent years.
Full-time home 2025/26 £8,250.00 for Foundation Year and £9,250.00 for subsequent years.

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Apply now

All set? Let's apply

Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:

By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545

Enrolment dates

September 2024

September 2025

UCAS information

Course ID L305

Institution S03