BA Education Studies and Sociology at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

This joint degree explores the multi-disciplinary field of education alongside sociology, combining research-informed modules on education with study of patterns of social life and social change. Students develop theoretical and methodological skills, including drawing on primary and secondary sources and analysing data, with relevance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Education at Queen's is ranked top 175 in the world (THE Subject Rankings 2024).

Department: School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work | Duration: 3 years full-time | Intake: September 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Students examine education and sociology through local and global lenses, with practice-based observations, field trips, summer work placements, guest lectures and workshops. Each student has a personal tutor, and a peer-mentoring scheme operates for Education Studies and Sociology students.

Career pathways

Graduates pursue roles in the education sector and beyond, including governments, international agencies, charities, public sector organisations, schools and the private sector. Further study includes the School's MEd, MSc and MRes programmes, and graduates may train as Sociology teachers through the PGCE (Social Sciences) at Queen's.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB. A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate counts within the portfolio (Distinction* equated to A, Distinction to B). BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD. International Baccalaureate: 32 points including 6,5,5 at Higher Level. Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3. Access Course: average of 65%. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 honours degree. No specific subject requirements. Applicants need a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better, including English Language grade C/4 or equivalent. Irish Junior Certificate performance is considered (minimum five grade C/Merit). HNC: all credits at Merit. Applicants are not normally interviewed. International applicants need IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component or an equivalent qualification.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year. Also applies to EU Other; academic year not stated for this figure Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

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