Sociology
Qualifications
Overview
If you want to study how the modern world came to be the way it is, what is happening and why, and what alternatives are possible, Sociology is for you. Sociology is a craft, a vocation, and to study and engage with the subject can be a transformative experience; once you have acquired a sociological imagination you will never be able to see the world in quite the same way again.
Sociologists investigate the structure of societies, organisations, groups, and everyday lives. Their subject matter is as varied as society itself.
- UC is ranked in the top 250 universities in the world for Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021).
- We teach courses that deal with subjects as diverse as crime and justice, cities, religion, health and medicine, gender and sexualities, death, migration, and much more.
- We want you to graduate with a Sociology degree that has value out there in the real world so we make sure you learn how to apply Sociology’s core methods to particular areas of life. Our courses are hands-on and we give our students the opportunity to do meaningful research, to create and analyse evidence, and to draw their own conclusions. You can apply these skills to many careers.
Sociology is increasingly being taught in schools but this background is not necessary for entry into first-year courses at university. All that is required is an enquiring mind, an openness to looking at things from different points of view, and an interest in what people do to and with each other.
Mature students are often able to bring a wealth of life experience to the study of Sociology. This is a discipline in which the life experiences of both young and mature students count.
UC offers a major in Sociology within the Bachelor of Arts.
You can also study a minor in Sociology within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
Sociology was one of the first established social science subjects at UC and sociological ideas and practices have been incorporated into many related subjects, including Cultural Studies, Human Services, Anthropology, History, and Māori and Indigenous Studies.
Sociology major
To complete a major in Sociology within the Bachelor of Arts, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
200-level
300-level
Sociology minor
For the Sociology minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, you will need to take these courses throughout your chosen degree:
- 75 points in 100 to 300-level SOCI courses, with at least 15 points at 100-level, 30 points at 200-level, and another 15 points at 200 or 300-level.
Sociologists are employed in a diverse range of occupations in the private and public sectors of the economy. Their skills are drawn on in private sector research organisations, consultancies, social policy, criminal justice, media firms, and a wide range of social movements or community development projects.
They also carry out research for government departments on topics such as the distribution of income and wealth, and gender and ethnic equality. Employment in government departments can also involve policy development and analysis, drafting new legislation, and analysing the benefits and costs of different social policies.
The broad skills gained from a Bachelor of Arts Sociology major such as research, writing, critical thinking, and communication are all highly valued by employers and can open employment opportunities in careers as diverse as international relations, heritage, PR, teaching, publishing, advertising, tech start-ups, and more.
Sociology graduates make good teachers and researchers in universities, polytechnics, continuing education providers, and schools.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Sociology.
Contact us
Te Kura Mātāpuna Tangata | School of Language, Social and Political Sciences
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email artsdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 3, Elsie Locke Building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Rāngai Toi Tangata | College of Arts
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Browse related subjects to Sociology
Choose an area that you are interested in and learn how UC's extensive range of study options can let you study what you want to.

Political Communication
The Political Communication major within the Bachelor of Communication is ideal for those wanting to be directly part of the political process and help advance ...

Youth and Community Leadership
Youth and Community Leadership explores national and global challenges that impact youth and other communities, and ways to create meaningful change through ...