In a liberal society, can limitations on freedom of speech ever be justified? Do people pull together because they want to, or because they must? Political, economic and social issues dominate domestic and international news, impacting on our day-to-day lives as well as shaping the future.

Studying topics in Sociology, Politics and Economics provides you with a greater understanding of the world around you. It teaches you about democracy and its relation to good government, how the economy functions, how people make decisions and how the economy impacts on the material wellbeing of human societies.

Our course provides a thorough training in the major areas of political science, economics and sociology, investigating the different kinds of social tensions, interactions and networks that make up everyday life. Offered at Essex by three of the UK’s leading social science departments, these three disciplines are fundamentally linked. Through developing your understanding of these fields, you explore and address the broadest questions about our society.

Your future

A good sociology course, especially one from a recognised centre of excellence like Essex, can open many doors.

Sociology students are in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including local and central government, NGOs, social work, market research, project management, fundraising, auditing, marketing, case-work, youth and community work, voluntary sector management and lobbying.

Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:

• The Institute of Public Finance
• Guardian Professional
• United
• Synergy Healthcare Research