Sociology MA

Year of entry: 2025

Course length: 12 months Full-time | 24 months Part-time

About the course

Join one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious sociology departments, where you will explore urgent issues like inequality, identity, climate justice, and social change – guided by leading experts in fields such as race, gender, social networks, and sustainability.

Our MA Sociology course gives you the tools to investigate society through advanced theory and hands-on research. You will choose from a wide range of specialist course units and develop an independent dissertation on a topic you are passionate about – with support from a department ranked first in the UK for the percentage of world-leading research outputs (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).

You will be studying at a university ranked top 5 in the UK and top 20 worldwide for Sociology (QS World University Rankings 2025), and part of a vibrant postgraduate community making sense of how societies work – and how they change.

Whether you're looking to shape public policy, deepen your research expertise or understand the systems that define modern life, this course gives you the critical skills to do it. See the full course profile on our website>

Be part of a Sociology department ranked Top 5 in the UK and Top 20 worldwide

(QS World University Rankings 2025)

Benefit from research-led teaching at one of the UK's Top 3 universities for Sociology research

(Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Our graduates are among the most targeted by top UK employers

(High Fliers 2024)

Join one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious sociology departments, with specialisms in race, inequality, social networks, and more

Compulsory Units

Research Design;
Research Strategy and Project Management;
Social Theory: Structure, Relations and Interaction (SRI);
MA Dissertation.

Optional Units

Qualitative Research Methods;
Protest and Progress: Understanding Movements for Social Change;
Social Network Analysis: Concepts and Measures;
Sociology of Consumption;
Science, Sustainability and Society;
Theories of Gender and Sexuality.

These are examples of units offered in 2024/25 and are subject to change.

See the full list of units and find out more on the full course profile >

Where will your degree take you?

Demand is growing for graduates who can understand and analyse the social forces shaping today’s world – from inequality and migration to climate crisis and digital change.

Studying sociology with us will develop your skills in research design, data analysis, critical thinking and communication – preparing you for roles across policy, education, international development, NGOs, and government.

Our graduates work in positions such as Policy Analyst, Social Researcher, Equality and Diversity Consultant, Community Engagement Officer, and Project Manager – and many go on to pursue careers in research and academia at Manchester and other top global universities.

Georgia Shaw

MA Sociology

"At Manchester, I’m excited to be taught by lecturers who are at the top of their field and have the opportunity to meet classmates who are just as passionate about the sociological world as I am. The module choices are impressive and there’s the chance for individual study to hone my knowledge on topics that I think are worth exploring."