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Why study sociology?
Ever wondered why some accents are more prestigious than others? Why our society is so unequal? Or even why some ideas are considered normal and others aren’t?
These are the kinds of questions sociologists ask. If you want answers to these questions – or think our society needs to change – sociology could be the subject for you!
‘Poverty, class, race, gender – if these are things you wonder about, sociology could be for you’
What is sociology?
Sociology is the study of society and how people relate to one another in groups. It also explores how institutions – like family and education – shape our lives, and how social structures such as race, class and gender shape our experiences.
You’ll study how society is organised – from the norms that dictate how we interact with each other, to the role of the state and its institutions. You’ll also explore themes such as inequality, poverty, demographics and social justice.
Sociology is a social science, which means it uses scientific methods to study society and human behaviour.
Teachers, bring sociology careers into your classroom…
Our colourful guides and posters are a great way to make careers learning interactive while ticking off all eight Gatsby benchmarks!
- Gatsby Subject Guides – Explore how the skills and knowledge students develop in sociology lead to real jobs – packed with case study interviews! All subjects available – buy individually or as a set. Browse in our shop now.
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What employability skills will I get?
Sociology will help you develop a range of skills which you may find useful in other subjects across the arts and humanities as well as maths and the sciences. These include:
- Analysis – you’ll study data, theories and case studies to spot patterns and understand how societies work and change.
- Communication – sociology teaches you to explain ideas clearly, whether you're writing essays or discussing issues like inequality and identity.
- Cultural awareness – you’ll explore different communities and worldviews, helping you understand and respect social and cultural differences.
- People skills – by studying how people interact and organise themselves, you’ll build empathy and learn to work well with others.
- Research – you’ll design surveys, collect information and analyse evidence to answer big questions about society.
What subjects does sociology go with?
Sociology pairs well with other subjects that explore human behaviour and society, such as geography, history, politics (if it is available at your school) and psychology.
However, it also involves the study of data sets – for example, you may look at statistics relating to things like demographics or deprivation. This makes it a great companion to more numerical or data-driven subjects such as maths or physics.
What degrees do I need sociology for?
Sociology is generally not required for university degrees, even sociology itself – although if you’re planning on studying sociology at uni, you should think seriously about taking it at A-level.
It is also useful for subjects such as criminology, economics, politics and public policy, as well as social work. You’ll also find it useful if you intend to study psychology.
Studying sociology at school or college could also lead to a career in law.
What apprenticeships is sociology useful for?
Sociology provides a useful background for apprenticeships in the public sector and the caring professions. A few examples include:
- Domestic and sexual abuse support worker – Support people affected by abuse, helping them rebuild their lives and access services.
- Policy officer – Research social issues and help create policies that aim to improve people’s lives.
- Social researcher – Collect and analyse data to understand how society works and find solutions to social problems.
- Social worker – Protect vulnerable people and help them overcome challenges by providing support and guidance.
- Youth worker – Support the personal and social development of young people, through activities, mentoring and advice.
What careers can sociology lead to?
Sociology can pave the way for a career in the public sector – but this can mean many things. For example, you could enter the Civil Service or local government as a policy officer, exploring solutions to social problems. Alternatively – with the right higher-education qualifications – you could work on-the-ground as a health visitor or social worker.
Alternatively, you might enter academia as a social researcher or economist – government, businesses, charities and ‘think tanks’ also employer social researchers and economists to advise on issues relating to different policy areas.
You could also pursue a career in the criminal justice system. Studying sociology, or its close relative criminology, at university could lead to a career understanding criminal behaviour or, depending on your higher-education qualification or apprenticeship route, in forensics.
Some sociology students go on to a legal profession, studying law at university or training as a barrister or solicitor through an apprenticeship programme.
Roles include:
- Barrister
- Community worker
- Crime scene investigator
- Forensic scientist
- Social researcher
- Social worker
- Solicitor
- Youth worker
Top five Career Zones to explore:
