Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year
MA Sociology
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MA Sociology | Programme code | PTA1SOCSOC01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
This degree captures the distinctive approach to sociology at Exeter, taking an interdisciplinary perspective on the some of the biggest issues and questions facing contemporary societies. Students who wish to specialise can choose specific pathways focusing on each of these fields.
- You will be equipped with traditional and cutting-edge research tools and methods for studying society and culture
- You will question taken-for-granted assumptions regarding contemporary modes of life as well as developing new ways of critically apprehending and evaluating them
- You will examine the nature and organisation of individuals’ experiences and the relationship of these to their social and cultural environment
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme will draw on the department’s research strengths and interdisciplinary outlook to provide students with a sound foundation in sociology at postgraduate level. In addition to taking optional modules from some of the department’s core disciplines – sociology, anthropology and philosophy – you will explore a range of different social research methods and theoretical and conceptual tools, learning to use and apply them in your own research into the social world.
More specifically, the programme aims comprise the following:
- To provide a critical understanding of key issues and problematics facing contemporary societies, locating them in relation to wider theoretical and methodological debates within sociology
- To equip you with the conceptual and methodological tools to research the social world
- To provide you with the requisite intellectual skills and knowledge to be a creative and critical thinker and problem solver, capable of questioning the taken-for-granted assumptions underpinning a wide range of contemporary modes of life
- To equip you with a range of core academic and transferrable skills appropriate to Masters level study within the discipline of sociology
4. Programme Structure
The MA Sociology is a one-year full-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
The programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is University-based throughout the period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 120 credits in total and a supervised dissertation worth 60 credits. Teaching takes place over two terms (October to May), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). Each taught module spans one term and is normally taught through seminars, underpinned by reading and essay assignments.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the Faculty website at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/25-26-modules/.
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
Stage 1
This programme consists of 90 credits of compulsory modules, plus 75 credits of modules selected from a list of options offered in the Department of Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy and Anthropology.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCM027 | Social Theory | 30 | Yes |
| SOCM904 | Dissertation | 60 | Yes |
| SOCM019 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 15 | Yes |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Sociology Option Modules 2025-6 | |||
| SOCM002A | Philosophy of the Social Sciences 1 | 15 | No |
| SOCM002B | Philosophy of the Social Sciences | 30 | No |
| SOCM945 | Philosophy of Science | 30 | No |
| SOCM046 | Meaning, Making Consuming | 30 | No |
| SOCM022 | Food, Body and Society | 30 | No |
| SOCM045 | Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment | 30 | No |
| SOCM050 | Secrecy Studies: On Concealment, Disclosure and Revelation | 15 | No |
| SOCM049 | Magic and Ritual | 15 | No |
| SOCM052 | Cultures and Environments of Health | 30 | No |
| POLM063 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 15 | No |
| POLM803 | Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity | 30 | No |
| POLM168 | From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender | 30 | No |
| POLM156 | The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age | 30 | No |
| SSIM915 | Statistical Modelling | 15 | No |
| SSIM916 | Machine learning for social data science | 15 | No |
| POLM140 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 30 | No |
| SPAM003 | Computational Social Science 1 | 15 | No |
| SPAM004 | Computational Social Science 2 | 15 | No |
| POLM809 | Applied Quantitative Data Analysis | 15 | No |
| POLM897 | Surveys and Experiments: Design, Implementation and Analysis | 15 | No |
| SSIM918 | Data Visualisation | 15 | No |
| SOCM033 | Data Governance and Ethics | 15 | No |
| POLM148 | Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications | 30 | No |
| POLM158 | Digital Politics and Policy | 30 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding and critical awareness of contemporary social and cultural issues |
|
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Analyse and synthesise different types of sociological material, modes of reasoning and evidence |
|
|
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Think independently and at an advanced level |
|
|
7. Programme Regulations
Specialism in Health, Culture and Society
As a student on MA Sociology you may, if you wish, choose to take a specialism in Health, Culture and Society. This specialism allows you to focus study on the social and cultural dimensions of health through a sociological lens. Students completing this specialism can choose to have the specialism appear in parentheses after their award title: MA Sociology (Health, Culture and Society).
For students on this pathway, SOCM052 Cultures and Environments of Health is compulsory. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Health, broadly conceived. In addition to the list of relevant optional modules for students on the MA Sociology, your convenor will provide you with a list of health-related modules that may be of interest to students choosing this pathway.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
Not applicable to this programme.
18. Final Award
MA Sociology
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 04/09/2019 |
Date of last revision | 20/06/2025 |
|---|
