MODERN HISTORY WITH SOCIOLOGY BA (HONS) DEGREE

Overview

About the Course

Studying modern history with sociology for your degree unlocks a fascinating exploration of Victorian society, Tsarist Russia, colonialism, and more, all through the lens of sociological theory—revealing how themes like crime, gender, and health shape the modern world.

This two-year fast-track degree, awarded by the University of Surrey, is designed to accelerate your academic and professional journey, enabling you to start your career or masters a year sooner and save on tuition and living costs. Based at Farnborough College of Technology, the course offers a supportive, small-campus environment with classroom-based lectures and personalised guidance.

The curriculum is both stimulating and comprehensive, combining the study of historical themes from 1750 to 2000 with the exploration of sociological issues such as inequality, class, mass media, and contemporary culture. You will develop critical thinking and analytical skills, delving into why societies function as they do and how social issues influence everyday life. Modules cover a wide range of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and racism, the sociology of education, and environmental sociology, alongside pivotal events in modern history.

Teaching methods are varied to suit different learning styles, including lectures, group projects, presentations, tutorials, and interactive activities. Assessment is equally diverse, ranging from in-class tests and assignments to presentations and formal examinations. Graduates are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in heritage, museums, teaching, journalism, social research, community development, and more, with highly transferable skills in research, critical reasoning, communication, and independent working.

Modules chosen at Level 5 and Level 6 will define the particular degree title awarded, of either BA (Hons) Modern History with Sociology or BA (Hons) Sociology with Modern History.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

Sociology

Sociology is an enlightening subject for those who like to think about social issues in the world, such as inequality, sexuality, class and mass media. Studying these fascinating topics with us will encourage you to think objectively about why people behave in certain ways. You will be considering questions such as:

What role does crime play in shaping society? How can society address inequality? Why doesn’t society do more to improve global issues?

During your degree, you will uncover the theories that seek to explain why some groups of people can flourish together, while others try to tear each other apart. You will delve into contemporary theories and discover how different cultures fit into our society.

As a sociology student, your critical-thinking skills will be honed as you begin to broaden your understanding of society and its relationship with our everyday lives.

Modern History

On this degree you will study of a range of historical themes from the modern period (1750-2000). Topics covered include gender and sexuality in twentieth century Britain, Russian history between the 1905 and 1917 revolutions, American slavery and fascism in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

You will also learn about the way the public engage with history and evaluate the methods historians use to research and write about their subject. Modules concerning industrialisation and the American civil rights movement will introduce you to pivotal events in the formation of the modern world. 

PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:

Programme Specification for BA (Hons) Modern History with Sociology

Additional Programme Specification for BA (Hons) Sociology with Modern History

Fees

FEE COST
Fee Per Year £9000

Paying for this Course

There are no up-front tuition fees for this course when taking out a student loan. Read more and find out if you are eligible.

Please note that while we make reasonable adjustments to remove any barriers to education, additional fees may be payable where this is not possible. For example, to provide additional support due to a disability. Please contact us if you believe you have any additional needs so that we can discuss your options before enrolling on a course.

Your Course

How will I be taught?

The style of teaching and learning used in this programme has been carefully designed to suit the subject matter. We recognise that students learn in various ways, so we use a range of different teaching methods and situations to best deliver the learning outcomes for each module. The range of teaching and learning methods used in this programme includes:

  • Lecture-based presentations
  • Individual and group project work
  • Individual presentations
  • Group and individual tutorials
  • Case studies
  • Classroom activities promoting interaction at peer and tutor level
What modules are covered?

Level 4 (Year 1: September – April)
The aim of the Level 4 programme is to give you a thorough grounding in a both modern history and sociology. Typical topics studied include:

  • Understanding the Past
  • Gender and Sexuality in 20th Century Britain
  • Russia From Tsarism to Bolshevism
  • Academic Skills
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • The Sociology of Gender
  • The Sociology of Inequality
  • Contemporary Issues

You will also benefit from a course in academic skills for degree students.

Level 5 (April in Year 1 – December in Year 2)
Level 5 of the programme offers you the opportunity to develop your skills in more depth in a range of topics. Options are chosen from the following:

  • Researching the Past
  • Fascism in the 20th Century
  • Slavery and Race in Post-Revolutionary America
  • Industrialisation and Reform in the 19th Century
  • ‘Race’ and Racism in Modern Society
  • The Sociology of Culture and Media
  • The Sociology of Education
  • Social Research Methods
  • Qualitative Research Methods

Level 6 (January in Year 2 to July in Year 2)
In the final Level of study you have the opportunity to specialise in your chosen area. For example:

  • Public History
  • Victorian Social and Political Thought
  • Radical Histories from Below
  • Dissertation (History)
  • Contemporary Sociological Theory
  • The Sociology of Literature
  • Risk Society in a Digital Age
  • Environmental Sociology

In addition to taught modules a dissertation will allow you to conduct research and investigate a topic in greater depth.

How will I be assessed?

A wide range of assessment methods are used in this programme, which have been chosen to suit the subject material being taught. The range of assessment methods you will experience will give you the confidence and capability to complete an honours degree and progress further in your career. Your tutor will be on hand to provide support during the assessment process and discuss any queries you may have.

The range of assessment methods used in this programme includes:

  • In-class tests
  • Assessed assignments
  • Formative assessment through assignment work feedback
  • Formal seen examination
  • ​Formal unseen examinations
  • Poster presentations
  • Powerpoint presentations

Your Future

What Next?

As a joint honours graduate, you could start a career in either of the two subjects you have studied. You could also look into studying a master's degree in a subject related to your degree.

There are a wide number of careers where your new degree will be relavant. Some of the examples below may require extra training and experience first. Please speak to our careers advisers to discover which career routes are best for you.

Modern History

Jobs directly related to history degrees include:

  • Heritage manager

  • Historic buildings inspector or conservation officer

  • Museum education officer

  • Museum or gallery curator

  • Museum or gallery exhibitions officer

  • Secondary school teacher

Jobs where a degree in history might be useful include:

  • Academic librarian

  • Archaeologist

  • Archivist

  • Broadcast journalist

  • Civil Service administrator

  • Editorial assistant

  • Information officer

  • PPC specialist

  • Politician's assistant

  • Solicitor

  • Web content manager

Sociology

Jobs directly related to degrees in sociology include:

  • Advice worker

  • Community development worker

  • Family support worker

  • Further education teacher

  • International aid/development worker

  • Social researcher

  • Social worker

  • Youth worker

Jobs where a degree in sociology might be useful include:

  • Actuarial analyst

  • Chaplain

  • Charity fundraiser

  • Detective

  • Housing manager/officer

  • Human resources officer

  • Life coach

  • Probation officer

  • Public relations officer

  • UX analyst

Transferable Skills
  • Independent working
  • Time management and organisation
  • Planning and researching written work
  • Leading and participating in discussions
  • Negotiation and teamworking to present ideas and information
  • Effectively conveying arguments and opinions and thinking creatively
  • Using your judgement to weigh up alternative perspectives
  • Critical reasoning and analysis
  • Using IT

Entry Requirements

What is the entry process?

You can apply for this higher education course in the following ways:

  • Via the UCAS website. Visit www.ucas.com and browse the courses available under 'University Centre Farnborough'. 
  • Directly to University Centre Farnborough via the button on this webpage. Applications take around 15 minutes and are free of charge. You can apply to us direct at any time in the year (including after the UCAS deadline). Applications of this type are separate to the UCAS system, which means you could also apply for more than the five universities that UCAS allows.

UCAS Code - LV13

Institution Code - F66

What previous qualifications and experience will I need?

Either:

  • 72 UCAS points from relevant subject(s)
  • An Access to Higher Education Diploma, with suitable grades
  • As a mature students who has relevant evidence of work experience and/or relevant recent study following a successful interview

Students are not required to have studied History before but they must have an appropriate Level 3 qualification which meets the entry requirements. 

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