Voor de beste ervaring schakelt u JavaScript in en gebruikt u een moderne browser!
Je gebruikt een niet-ondersteunde browser. Deze site kan er anders uitzien dan je verwacht.
Bachelor
Sociology
Vergelijk

Study programme

The three-year programme is divided in years of two semesters. In the first two years, all students follow the same programme. In the third year, you can choose your own courses. You will get a broad orientation in sociological theories, learn how to conduct research, approach social issues and analyse scientific texts. With this knowledge, you will develop sociological skills.

A briefing by the study adviser

Study adviser Inge Velthuijs informs you about the curriculum and future prospects.

  • Year 1

    In the first year you are introduced to the discipline of Sociology, which gives you a solid basis for your further academic career.

    Theory

    You are introduced to 19th century founders of sociology such as Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim. You will read classical texts, but also contemporary studies that build on this work. Are you curious about what the classics had to say? Then take a look at this online MOOC.

    Methodology

    A good methodological basis is essential for conducting sociological research. Starting in your first year, you will become acquainted with important methodological approaches and learn to apply them in practice, like:

    • Interviews
    • Observations of everyday life
    • Surveys
    • Statistical analysis
    • Text analysis

    Sociological Craft

    In the first year we also focus on important skills that you, as a sociologist, need to master. You will learn to read scientific texts, interpret them and translate them into new contexts. In addition, you learn to argue, formulate research questions, make critical comments and write essays.

  • Year 2

    In the second year of the programme you will deepen the knowledge you acquired in the first year. You will learn more about the (policy) applications of sociological theories, about contemporary debates and how theories are developed. You will also improve your knowledge of research techniques for conducting sociological research. Finally, you will also broaden your knowledge in six different sociological domains:

    • Urban Places and Social Problems
    • Intersectionalities: Class, Race, Gender & Sexualities
    • Migration & Citizenship
    • Globalising Cultures
    • Health & Society
    • Education & Work
  • Year 3

    You may complete the first semester of your third year as you wish. You can further specialise in certain areas of sociology, take electives or a minor in other programmes, see below 'Additional options'.

    In the second semester, you conclude the bachelor's programme with your own research. You write your own thesis, but work together with a number of other students within a joint project. In your research, you become an expert in a particular field within your chosen (sociological) project.

Study schedule

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Sociological Theory 1: Social Interactions and Interdependencies
    6
  • Introduction to Sociology
    9
  • Sociology as Craft 1
    3
  • Social Research Methodology
    6
  • Introduction to statistics
    6
  • Evolution of Humankind
    3
  • Sociological Theory 2: Power, Culture, Identity
    6
  • Sociology as Craft 2
    6
  • Philosophy of social science
    3
  • Sociology of institutions
    6
  • Amsterdam Research Project
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Education & Work
    6
  • Intersectionalities: Class, Race, Gender & Sexualities
    6
  • Migration & Citizenship
    6
  • Urban Places and Social Problems
    6
  • Advanced Statistics
    6
  • Health and Society
    6
  • Sociological Theory 3: Society, Social Action and Inequality
    6
  • Globalising cultures
    6
  • Sociological Theory 4: Culture and Structure
    6
  • Qualitative analysis
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Free-choice electives: Free electives
    30
  • Mixed Methods
    6
  • Sociology of Public Policy
    6
  • Bachelor Research Project
    18
See more information in the online Course Catalogue

Additional options

In the third year, you have space to spend on subjects at another programme, an internship, study at a foreign university (exchange) or a minor (a part you spend on another subject).

Honours programme

If you are ambitious, you can choose to take part in our Honours programme. You’ll take the Honours programme alongside your regular studies. Completion results in you graduating 'with honours': an internationally recognised qualification. If you are up to it, then it's an opportunity not to be missed.

Exchange

International collaboration is crucial for science. The UvA has partnerships with over ninety universities worldwide. In your third year you have the possibility to study at one of these universities during an international exchange semester.

Electives

There are various opportunities during the Bachelor’s programme for you to shape your programme to your liking. You can gain 30 elective study credits with courses that are part of another Bachelor’s programme at the UvA.

Or you can choose a minor lasting half a year (30 credits) taken outside your own degree programme. You could choose a minor in Communication Science or Entrepreneurship, for example.

More information about studying abroad

Workload

The workload is 40 hours per week.

  • Lectures and tutorial groups: approximately 14 hours per week (later on in the programme, the number of contact hours decreases)
  • Self-study: 26 hours per week (reading literature, doing research and writing papers and essays)

Study this programme in Dutch?

Are you a Dutch-speaking student? Then you can also participate in our Dutch Bachelor’s programme in Sociology. The Dutch taught programme is exactly the same as the English taught programme.

Yes! I’m interested in the Dutch Bachelor’s programme