Introduction
MSc Sociology provides you with theoretical and methodological concepts in sociology to think critically about issues affecting contemporary society.
This course has January and September start dates. Apply Now.
The University of Aberdeen is ranked 5th in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (Guardian University Guide 2025) and 7th in the UK for Sociology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The MSc Sociology provides an in-depth understanding of and training in the use of sociological theory and methodology, with a key focus on the distinct research specialisms of staff in the Department of Sociology.
You will examine classical sociological theory (Marx, Weber, Nietzsche) before moving on to more recent social thought to develop an advanced working knowledge of the most important theoretical tools available to professional social scientists today.
You will also learn the latest advanced qualitative methods employed by social scientists, including participant observation, qualitative interviewing, focus groups, diaries, photography and film, and archived data sources.
In addition to the core theoretical and methodological concepts and debates in sociology, you can tailor your programme to your own sociological interest by choosing from a number of optional courses in topics such as globalisation, peace and conflict studies, comparative European societies, and gendered and sexual violence.
You will have the opportunity to draw upon the knowledge and skills developed during the programme with your dissertation, wherein you will undertake a critical analysis of a relevant sociological topic; the topic will be chosen by you in consultation with a member of the Department faculty.
Gaining a deeper understanding of society through learning sociological theory and the methods used by current social scientists will help prepare you to make a real-world impact with a career in various sectors. You will also be well-equipped to continue your research and education at the PhD level.
The MSc Sociology is designed for those with a background in sociology, or those wishing to extend their knowledge of the subject to the postgraduate level. The programme is also suitable as a conversion degree for students with little or no previous experience of Sociology.
Available Programmes of Study
- MSc
-
Sociology
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Please refer to our Tuition Fees page for fee information for this programme, or contact study@abdn.ac.uk.
Stage 1
PART TIME ROUTE: this route will run over two years. Students can take up to 120 credit points in a single year.
PD5006 must be taken in Year 1 and SO5094 must be taken in Year 2.
The following courses are compulsory and can be taken in either Year 1 or Year 2:
- SL5011 Advanced Qualitative Methods in Social Science
- SO5014 Advanced Social Theory
In addition, students must take two courses from the following:
- SO5512 Dimensions of Globalization
- SO5519 Sex, Gender, Violence: Critical Approaches
- SO5529: Peace and Conflict Studies
Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Advanced Qualitative Methods in Social Science (SL5011)
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30 Credit Points
Qualitative Sociology: Philosophy and Methods: This course introduces students to a range of methods used in qualitative social science research (such as participant observation, qualitative interviewing, focus groups, diaries, photography and film, and archived data sources). The emphasis will be on the research process, from project design to analysis and presentation, with methodological issues raised in the context of researchable questions. Issues of reliability, representativeness and validity, and the potential for combining methods will be addressed. Students use the course work to develop their research interests and reflect on their research practices.
- Advanced Social Theory (SO5014)
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30 Credit Points
Karl Popper argued, wisely, at least this time, that all languages are theory-laden. In other words, if we are doing social science, it is impossible not to do theory, but we have a choice to do it well or poorly, informed by the thinking of others who have gone before us, or in ignorance of it. In this course we learn to reflect explicitly about that which may otherwise simply remain implicit in empirical sociological examination. In this project, we are assisted by important thinkers who have developed distinctive and influential ways of considering the social. We begin with classical sociological theory before moving on to the work of more recent social thought, giving students an advanced working knowledge of the most important theoretical tools available to jobbing social scientists.
Stage 2
Optional Courses
Students will select two courses from the following:
- Dimensions of Globalization (SO5512)
-
30 Credit Points
This interdisciplinary course focuses on substantive dimensions of globalization by considering recent changes occurring in the economic, political, social, and cultural realms of society. These themes are analysed by considering recent empirical studies, which seek to clarify our theoretical understanding of globalization through advanced social scientific research. The substantive themes covered include global capitalism, the global division of labour, global governance, the changing role of the nation state, transnational social change, and cultural homogenization and heterogenization. Interconnections between these aspects of globalization are highlighted.
- Sex, Gender, Violence: Critical Approaches (SO5519)
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30 Credit Points
This course investigates the ways people think about, understand, and respond to violence. How do we know what counts as violence or a violence act? Why does legislation against violence often seem inadequate, perhaps especially in the case of gendered and sexual violence?
- Peace and Conflict Studies (SO5529)
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30 Credit Points
This course provides students with a review of some of the central concepts and processes central to conflict resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding. As such, the course is designed both to introduce the theoretical foundations of particular approaches to conflict resolution (or “peacemaking”) and peacebuilding, and to describe how those theoretical underpinnings give rise to specific mechanisms or processes within given contexts. In the area of peacemaking the course will cover topics such as negotiation, mediation, and intergroup dialogue processes, while in the area of peacebuilding the course will discuss more recent innovations such as Truth-Telling mechanisms, Criminal Tribunals, and both individual and collective reparations programmes. The course is particularly designed to inspire students to consider the complicated nature of both peacemaking and peacebuilding through a number of different case studies and perspectives.
Stage 3
Compulsory Courses
- Dissertation: Sociology (SO5904)
-
60 Credit Points
This is a compulsory element on the MSc Sociology programme.
MSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen More
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Examination is exclusively by means of course work and continuous assessment. Students will be permitted one resubmission of failed work, but no resubmission of the dissertation.
For the award of the MSc in both full and part time modes, there is a requirement also to complete a 15,000 word dissertation under supervision from the course team.
Why Study Sociology?
- Study at a nationally recognised university for sociology and policy. The University of Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in Scotland for Sociology (Complete University Guide 2025), 5th in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (Guardian University Guide 2025) and 7th in the UK for Sociology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
- The University of Aberdeen is ranked 2nd in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction in Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology (National Student Survey 2024)
- The Department of Sociology at the University of Aberdeen enjoys a reputation as one of the leading centres for the study of sociology in the UK, being recognised nationally and internationally for the outstanding quality of teaching and research
- You will be immersed in a rigorous discursive environment and gain an in-depth understanding of sociological theory and its relevance in contemporary society
- This interdisciplinary programme is taught by a dynamic community of widely published researchers with international experience in the sociology of religion, globalization, inequality, gender studies, European Society, and peace and conflict studies
- The School of Social Science boasts an excellent faculty with substantial experience in training social scientists in research methods. The School’s methodological training has been recognised by the ESRC via the MSc Anthropological Research (formerly MRes Social Anthropology) and MRes Social Science programmes for many years
- In the most recent Research Excellence Framework review, the research quality of the Department of Sociology within The School of Social Sciences was judged as 'Excellent’
- You will benefit from related research centres such as the Institute for Conflict, Transition, and Peace Research (ICTPR), the Centre for Global Security and Governance, the Just Transition Lab, and more
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body.
Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2.1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference x 2
- two reference letters, one of which should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employers, or other professional individuals
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
With a need for experts in societal theory, methodology, and policy, you will be well-placed for a career in social research, government, education, social welfare, community development, public policy, and more.
Previous graduates of this programme have progressed into a variety of roles including research manager, resource advisor, associate professor, policy advisor, journalist, support worker, housing services advisor, research analyst, and more.
Non government organisations
Charities
Private and public sectors
Research
Academia
Consultancy
Career Opportunities
- Government Officer
- International Non-Governmental Officer
- Lecturer
- Policy Advisor
- Research Analyst
- Research Consultant
- Social Researcher
- Support Worker
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- Dr Luisa Gandolfo, The University of Aberdeen
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
MSc Sociology
The Department of Sociology is held within the School of Social Science. All of our degrees provide thorough advanced level training in the principles of social science with a wide choice of specialised subjects.
The Institute For Conflict, Transition And Peace Research
ICTPR at the University of Aberdeen brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary group of scholars and students to develop in-depth theoretical understandings of the concepts and practices of transitions in terms of conflict and peace.
Find out moreGet in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX