The Open University

As the world changes around us, this diploma offers you the chance to explore some of the major forces reshaping social life. You’ll have the opportunity to study a range of stimulating topics. Some of these will be part of the mainstream of sociological debate, including class, gender, race, and sexuality. You’ll be introduced to sociological ways of understanding the world and will be challenged to think more deeply about contemporary social problems. On completion, you’ll have a well-developed understanding of the nature of society and will be in a position to make a positive difference to it.

BA (Honours) Sociology

In a fast-changing world, this degree offers you the chance to explore some of the major forces reshaping social life. You’ll be introduced to distinctively sociological ways of understanding the world and, in the process, will be challenged to think more deeply about contemporary social problems. You'll gain practical skills in social research and the ability to plan and conduct an independent sociological project. On graduation, you’ll not only have a well-developed understanding of the nature of society but will be in a position to make a positive difference to it.

An assortment pile of international and local coins

Psychology talk covers the visual bias we probably see every day

A recent talk by OU Professor Peter Hegarty, Co-Director of the Open Psychology Research Centre (OPRC), uses the newly minted King Charles III coins as an introduction to left-to-right asymmetries in the arts, written word, and sciences – and the significance of the ‘spatial agency bias’.

19th January 2023

GCSJ seminar series: What is the potential of creative practice for building community resilience in flood-prone coastal communities in the UK?

In this GCSJ seminar, George Revill (OU) and Liza Griffin (UCL) will discuss their recent paper on the potential of creative practices for achieving community resilience in relation to efforts to address flooding in coastal regions of the UK.

18th January 2023

A black and white, brown and black cow standing near barbed wire

Does Veganism as a ‘lifestyle’ detract from the original intention?

With increasing focus on the environmental benefits of a vegan diet, is the movement at risk of losing sight of its core values? This Veganuary, we asked Dr Matthew Cole, to cast new light on an often controversial subject.

17th January 2023

Book launch: Global Youth Unemployment: History, Governance and Policy

Join authors Prof. Nicola Yeates and Prof. Ross Fergusson from the Department of Social Policy and Criminology at the Open University for the launch of their new book, Global Youth Unemployment: History, Governance and Policy. They will be joined by a distinguished panel of academics to discuss some of the key questions and issues the book tackles.

4th January 2023

Police woman inputting information into a ticket machine standing next to a car

We need to talk about handsfree – OU psychology research delves into roads policing

The Open University, in collaboration with Staffordshire and Keele Universities, has been awarded £24k from the Road Safety Trust for research on the policing of distracted driving, and officer understanding of the dangers of handsfree mobile phone use behind the wheel.

21st December 2022

Three Minority Ethnic students sitting on grass talking to each other

Celebrating student achievement and performance

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) presents its Awards to outstanding and inspirational students from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic student community.

5th December 2022

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