Hello! My name is Molly, and I’m a 2nd-Year student studying Sociology with Social Psychology at the University of York. I am really enjoying my degree, and want to share my experience for anyone wanting to study Sociology at York. I’ll share my favourite aspects, and give you an overview of the Department of Sociology and opportunities available.
Areas of Sociology
Something I love about Sociology is how broad it is, and the variety of topics you can study. You can study it on its own, or combined with other subjects such as Criminology or Education.
My Year 1 modules included Social Theory, Social Psychology, and Crime and Deviance. In Cultivating a Sociological Imagination, you’ll explore a range of themes – from analysing different societal attitudes towards the role of animals, to learning about the history of tea! As I progress at York, this course allows me to explore and identify my areas of interest and choose modules that appeal to me.
How I learn
I enjoyed reading from studying English Literature at A level, which is useful as there’s a lot to read when studying Sociology! However, the Department makes an effort to use a variety of learning methods. Lecturers will reference sources like Netflix documentaries to help understand topics.
What I find with Sociology is how relevant it is to everyday life. I’ll see things that I have been studying appear in the news or on social media. Areas of study feature topics that I would have conversations with family and friends about!
Support
I may be biased, but I think Sociology is a friendly department. The seminars/workshops really allow you to interact with your course mates and members of staff. Staff are always on hand and display their office hours, so it’s easy to book a one-to-one meeting if you would like any guidance.
The weekly ‘Monday Memo’ newsletter includes departmental updates and upcoming events, so you feel in the loop! You’re allocated an academic supervisor when you start your degree. They’ll be on hand if you have any issues, and will organise end-of-term meetings to check in with you. Your supervisor will stay the same, and in my experience, we have established a great rapport!
My favourite topics
As I highlighted earlier, I really enjoy how varied my degree is. In Year 2, I chose to study Popular Media and Culture, which is my favourite module so far! I have found it really insightful to view the media we consume in a different light, delving deeper into the creative industries. The module also gives students the opportunity to show their creativity, with one of the assessments involving recording a podcast!
How assessments work
Sociology is an essay-based subject, meaning there are no exams! Modules are often assessed by offering a choice of questions on different essay topics. However, it is not all about essay writing. The types of assessment can involve analysing a video of people’s behaviour in a particular city; recording a podcast; or planning and carrying out your own research project.
Department of Sociology
In 2021, the Department of Sociology moved to a new building on Campus East with plenty of teaching and study space, and two lecture theatres. Lectures and seminars usually take place on Campus East, and there are plenty of places nearby to read, study or grab a snack/coffee between timetabled learning.

Why Sociology is so important in society
In my opinion, Sociology is an extremely valuable subject when studying our society. It aims to uncover how individuals’ actions and behaviours differ from one another, identifying the reasons for differences in opportunity.
The practice recognises the structural and social inequalities within society, and researches different cultures and societies in a global context. Sociology influences decision-making, and can lead to a career in many different fields, while providing an understanding of how society functions at a deeper level.
Find out more about what it’s like to study Sociology at York.
Reading this was super interesting! It has made me much more reassured and excited to (hopefully) start the course in September.