New for 2024: Sociology (MSc)
8 January 2024
The School of Social Sciences is introducing a new master’s degree in Sociology (MSc), which aims to help students make sense of a world increasingly defined by social change and disruption.
The new programme, directed by Professor William Housley, is designed to develop students’ sociological imagination while addressing pressing global challenges relating to phenomena such as:
- digital and physical mobilities
- human-environment relations
- contemporary urban life
- digital disruptive technologies and Artificial Intelligence
- bio-medicine and socio-genetics.
We asked Professor Housley about the new course and what students can expect from it.
- Why was the course created?
The course was created to provide a platform for the training of next-generation sociologists, in ways that draw upon first-class research training and internationally-recognised sociological expertise with a clear view to delivering a premier postgraduate experience.
- Tell us a bit about the topics that the programme will cover
Drawing on current research at the cutting edge of sociological inquiry, the programme offers the opportunity to study live social issues in a vibrant and engaging manner.
The course is taught by internationally-recognised experts reflecting the contemporary and global character of the course. Each component of the taught element of the course will draw from classic and contemporary social theory, as well as current innovations in social science research methods.
You will explore topics such as mobilities, urban life, the emerging contours of digital society and artificial intelligence, planetary health and the environment and the social implication of biomedicine and genetics.
You will learn to apply and critically engage with the core elements of the course content through an active engagement with ‘real world’ drivers of disruption and social change. You will apply these skills in your dissertation, a piece of independent research on a topic of your choosing.
- What skills can I gain on this programme?
You will gain a range of skills that include knowledge and understanding of global changes and challenges from a sociological perspective, intellectual skills that will enable the synthesis and integration of theory, method and data in sociological research design and analysis of contemporary issues and topics.
The programme also serves as a basis for the development of a range of professional, practical and transferable skills that include the communication of evidence, the interpretation of data and the development of effective strategies for independent research, alongside additional skills associated with time management and working with peers within collaborative and team-based contexts.
- What kind of career can studying sociology lead to?
The high-level research, literacy and numeracy skills developed during your degree are highly valued in a range of management and leadership roles where critical thinking and an understanding of organisations and cultures are important.
The substantive topics covered are particularly well-suited to careers across the public and private sectors, as well as civil society and third-sector organisations that are concerned with issues of social justice, inequality and innovation.
Coursework tasks are grounded in engagement with ‘real world’ issues and applications includingthe proliferation of digital technologies and climate change, and encourage you to develop skills in writing for diverse audiences.
If you’re interested in further study, the programme also provides strong foundations for doctoral work, either through a traditional PhD or a professional doctorate. We encourage you to think about life beyond university from day one, and offer modules to give you a competitive advantage upon graduating.
- Can I study sociology at master's level if I've no previous experience of social sciences?
You will benefit from a background in a cognate discipline in the social sciences or an aligned subject in the humanities. This means students can come from relatively broad backgrounds with a variety of experiences and academic interests.
- Who will be teaching on the course? (answer can link to staff profiles)
The course will be delivered by an internationally-recognised team of sociologists based at the Cardiff University’s School of Social Sciences. The team specialise in research-informed teaching that is well placed to deliver a cutting-edge postgraduate experience with tangible benefits for individual and career development.