Students who do sociology need to be inquisitive, and curious about the social world and how it works. You also need to be open to reconsidering all the notions and common sense views of society that we usually take for granted. Sociology shakes us up intellectually, it forces us to reconsider many of our assumptions and see the world through a lens that is often critical and challenging. Doing Sociology will empower you to re-examine the familiar with fresh eyes and provide you with the skills set to see afresh and to document the complexity of the social world.

Why study Sociology at UL?

Sociology describes and explains social structures and processes. The Sociology programme at UL will enable you to develop critical and analytical skills to look more objectively at our societies. It directs attention to how the constituent parts of society fit together and change, and the consequences of that social change. By focusing on the external forces that affect our values, attitudes and behaviors, it helps us better understand ourselves and the motivations of others around us. In addition to core modules, you can choose Sociology electives which match your own study and research interests.

Your future career

A wide range of career opportunities are open to you from this programme, in the public, private and non-profit/NGO sectors: UL Sociology graduates have found careers in a diverse range of areas including:

Journalism, media, communications and public relations
Teaching at Second Level
Social, marketing and media research
Social policy analysis
Urban planning
Research consultancy
Postgraduate Training to either Masters or PhD Levels
Social work, youth and community work
Prison and probation services
Community Development
Voluntary organisations, national and international NGOs
Statistician, demographer