Course Overview
Lancaster's Religious Studies and Sociology degree is taught by some of the leading international scholars in both fields. Lancaster is first in the North West for Religious Studies - as ranked by The Guardian University Guide 2011 - and our Sociology Department was ranked top five in the UK in the last UK Research Assessment (2008).
Your degree will help you understand the interface between religion and society and addresses a wide range of issues affecting people's lives today and the societies in which they live. You'll also develop a sensitivity to the historical contexts that have shaped the contemporary world.
You'll divide your time equally between courses in Sociology and Religious Studies, starting with World Religions and Introduction to Sociology modules. You'll be able to specialise and develop your own interests with second-year subjects such as Understanding Social Thought and Religion and Society, as well as final year modules that include Television, Society and Morality and Indian Religious and Philosophical Thought.
For a list of compulsory modules, please see the tab above.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Politics, Philosophy and Religion department.
Year 1
- Religions of the Modern World
- Introduction to Sociology
Year 2
- Understanding Social Thought
- Research Skills and Techniques
- Research Methods
- Traditions and Transformations: Abrahamic religions
- Cross-Cultural Ethics
- Sociological Research Skills and Techniques
- Race Relations and Social Change
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Politics, Philosophy and Religion department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: AAB
General Studies: Accepted as one of the best 3 A-level grades.
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: ABBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 35 pts overall with 15 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: Overall grades of DDD/DDM
Mature students: Applications welcome; promising candidates are interviewed, Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
IELTS: 6.5
Careers
The skills you'll gain during your Sociology and Religious Studies degree - such as critical communication skills - are a good foundation for many careers. In increasingly multicultural societies and an integrated world, Religious Studies graduates with an understanding of other faiths, cultures and values are highly regarded. Furthermore, your study of Sociology enables you to place this knowledge in context within contemporary society.
Lancaster graduates in the subject have chosen a wide range of careers, including roles in the Civil Service, journalism, banking, the police and business, as well as teaching and the caring professions.
Some of our alumni also pursue further study through a postgraduate degree at Lancaster or another institution.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based elivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focussed critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2013, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2013 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2012.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
