LSE's central London location offers unequalled access to cultural activities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, financial centres, research institutes and library/information resources. London is one of the most stimulating world cities for a student experience.

Degree studies in the Department of Sociology provide a critical understanding of society and expertise in researching social processes, and build the basis for careers in politics, public administration, social and health services, media, marketing and advertising, non-governmental organisations and more.

Find out more about LSE

BSc Sociology

The BSc Sociology programme explores specific examples of social action, social processes and institutions; compares different types of social life and societies; examines theories about the nature of social existence and change; and teaches different methods of social research, enabling students to conduct research of their own.

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Fran Tonkiss

Departmental Tutor: Dr Sam Friedman

MSc Sociology

The MSc Sociology programme provides rigorous and in-depth training in sociological theory, methodology, and key areas of sociological research.

Programme Directors: Professor Fran Tonkiss

MSc City Design and Social Science

The MSc City Design and Social Science programme focuses on the relations between the physical and social organisation of cities and urban environments.

Programme Directors: Dr Suzanne Hall and Dr David Madden

Find out more about the MSc City Design and Social Science and the Cities Programme

MSc Culture and Society

The MSc Culture and Society programme gives you the opportunity to develop expertise in the social study of cultural processes. Its ethos emphasises tight integration of leading-edge cultural theory, innovative methodologies and attention to the most significant cultural trends and practices, globally and locally.

Programme Director: Dr Don Slater

MSc Economy, Risk and Society

The MSc Economy, Risk and Society programme offers a flexible yet comprehensive introduction to the sociologies of risk and economic life, thereby providing a strong theoretical and methodological foundation for engaging in current discussions on the future of our societies.

Programme Director: Dr Rebecca Elliott 

MSc Human Rights

The MSc Human Rights programme is uniquely multidisciplinary and provides a concentrated year-long engagement with the foundations of human rights and key human rights issues.

Programme Director: Dr Monika Krause

MSc Human Rights and Politics

The MSc Human Rights and Politics provides a rigorous year-long academic engagement with critical political issues faced by international human rights today.

Programme Director: Professor Chetan Bhatt

MSc Political Sociology

Political sociology is a subject with a long and distinguished history and a thriving contemporary debate. The MSc Political Sociology programme is designed to look beneath the day-to-day controversies of politics in order to explore the underlying forces that either promote or retard political and social change.

Programme Director: Dr Robin Archer

MSc Inequalities and Social Science

The MSc Inequalities and Social Science programme is a comprehensive and wide-ranging programme, providing an introduction to a range of interdisciplinary approaches to the social scientific analysis of inequality. 

Programme Director: Dr Sam Friedman

Find out more about the MSc Inequalities and Social Science programme and the International Inqualities Institute

MSc International Migration and Public Policy

The MSc International Migration and Public Policy programme provides a systematic multidisciplinary approach to central controversies in the comparative analysis of public policy responses to immigration and migrant integration issues across different levels of governance. It is a joint programme offered by the European Institute and Departments of Government and Sociology.

This programme is administered by the European Institute. 

Programme Director: Dr Eiko Thielemann

Director of Taught Postgraduate Studies: Dr Robin Archer

MPhil/PhD Sociology

The MPhil/PhD Sociology programme offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to sociology. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

The Doctoral Programme Director is Professor Mike Savage.

MPhil/PhD Cities

The MPhil/PhD Cities programme offers an excellent environment for interdisciplinary graduate research on cities, space and urbanism. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

The Doctoral Programme Director is Professor Mike Savage.

Find out more about the MPhil/PhD Cities and the Cities Programme

Visiting Research Student in Sociology

The VRS scheme allows students pursuing research at other institutions to attend courses and benefit from the expertise of the LSE faculty, Library and academic support services.

Undergraduates

Find out more about the undergraduate application process. 

Graduates

Find out more about the graduate admissions process. 

David Oliver, BSc Sociology, Current Third Year Student:

“LSE has been a game-changer. It is not only schoolwork, but also clubs and societies. There are countless groups you can join from the chocolate-aficionados society to the ultimate frisbee club. There are resources that can help you with whatever you are going through. I have been to LSELIFE to get help building my CV, to ameliorate my essays, and to get some advice on how to handle a tricky work-situation.”

Farhana Aktar, BSc Sociology, 2017-2020:

“My favourite thing about LSE Sociology is the cohort. Compared to other courses at the LSE we are a much smaller department which makes things from classroom discussions to academic support much more rounded. The Sociology department here at the LSE is a family where support comes from all quarters. We have events happening throughout the year such as our academic lunches, our Krispy Kreme Monday meetings in the common room and our Christmas party. Although to some this may feel small, I know for me it has helped me settle in better to the department and LSE as a whole.”

Doctoral researcher Isabell Loeschner, explains what brought her to Sociology, July 2015:

"Why are women treated differently in the labour market? Why do people choose to work 16 hour days? Why do the same sort of people always end up in senior management roles? Why do some people choose insecure but autonomous self-employment over a more stable, possibly more secure corporate job? Why do we have ever better technology to help us get our work done but don’t seem to be able to enjoy more leisure time?

These and many more questions made me seriously reflect on my own motivations, morals and life goals and made me develop a curiosity that I just couldn’t seem to be able to satisfy through work in a corporate job... I soon realized I didn’t want to spend my efforts on maintaining and optimizing the existing system. Instead I wanted to step out of it in order to study it, understand it and criticize it. This realization was like a revelation to me. I had discovered Sociology."

Akosuo Yeboah, BSc Sociology, 2015-2018:

“Sociology at LSE is very broad and we cover many interesting topics, from studying the original texts of Durkheim and Marx, to debating the causes and impact of growing inequality in the UK. There is also a strong emphasis on developing independent critical and reasoning skills.”

Mira Buerger, MSc student in the Department of Sociology, July 2015:

"What sounds like a natural given gift can be learned: sociology is a great trainer of empathy. Plus, it provides me with an analytical lense towards the world. Sociology = Empathy + Critical Analysis."

Perdita Blinkhorn, BSc Sociology student, July 2015:

"All I can hope is that when future students come to study this discipline, they will realise that Sociology is not just in the words of books; it is in the real world, real people, every second of the day."

Amraj Lally, BSc Sociology student 2012-2015:

"Studying Sociology at the LSE has been a great experience. It is an intense and independent pursuit, and an opportunity to gain a critical understanding about society and culture. There are a lot of resources and support available such as office hours with leading academics. The academics across the department are often generous with their time and support and this has personally enhanced my experience at university. ... The LSE Sociology Department in conjunction with the LSESU Sociology & Social Justice Society offer many opportunities to learn, interact and grow."

Zara Paul, BSc Sociology student 2008-2011

"I genuinely have a lot to thank the LSE for as I have gained so much in the past 3 years and developed myself to a such a great degree. When I first arrived at the university I was very unconfident about my academic capabilities. However, the tutors and the lecturers embraced my qualities and strengthened my weaknesses, ensuring my grades could only improve. ... I worked solidly by attending office hours and skills lectures arranged by the university and my confidence grew through performing with the university shows, speaking up in class discussions and being forced into presentations! My friend network made me realise the triviality of my insecurities along with introducing me to a wide range of global lessons: Asian weddings, Ghanian food, Brazilian dancing! ... I could go on for ever!"