Queen's University Belfast

Source: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/english-sociology-ba-ql33/ Parent: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/

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Undergraduate 2027

Undergraduate 2025

BA | Undergraduate

English and Sociology

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Entry year : Academic Year 2027/28

Entry requirements : BBB

Attendance : 6 years (Part-time) \ 3 years (Full-time) \

UCAS Code : QL33

Overview
Course content
Modules
Entry requirements
Careers
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Students undertaking English and Sociology at Queen’s explore literatures in English in the widest possible sense. From the earliest writings in Anglo-Saxon to contemporary Irish, British, and ‘global’ literatures, students study English in its historical, linguistic, cultural, material and ideological circumstances. Sociology complements the study of English in unique ways: in assessing the development and organisation of societies and social institutions, beliefs and traditions, and cultural practices, Sociology illuminates, and is illuminated by the intellectual interests of English. It equips students with the skills to understand the breadth of social practice, ranging from the global (including power and politics, conflict and peace processes, security, the digital world, climate change, racism and social justice) to individual experiences (such as the body, intimacy, emotions, identity, beliefs and mental health).

English Studies at Queen’s brings to life an extraordinary heritage, as represented by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, where a new generation of award-winning writers and the brand new Seamus Heaney Centre (2024) continue a proud tradition.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

English at Queen's offers a range of Study Abroad opportunities, from the Turing programme with a range of European partners, to the chance to study at a number of partner institutions in the United States and Canada. We welcome applications from European students who would like to attend Queen's under the Turing programme. This programme enables students from continental Europe, North America, and Australia to take time out from their own institution and spend either one semester or a full academic year at Queen's. We also offer Queen’s English students the chance to study for a full-year at one of our partner universities in Europe and North America thereby extending their 3-year degree into a 4-year degree. \ \ \ \ Study USA: This involves 12 months studying business related courses at a U.S. church affiliated university or college. Places are available at one of over 100 institutions from Florida to Montana or California to North Carolina. You don´t need to be from a business background to apply: Study USA is open to full-time pre-final year students of any discipline from Queen's and other Northern Ireland higher education institutions. The Programme is intended to produce graduates with an international, business-orientated perspective capable of making a contribution in advancing the Northern Ireland economy. While on the programme, you will take 5 business related courses/modules along with another course of your choice. Study USA is accredited under the Degree Plus Award through the US Certificate in American Business Practice and well regarded by graduate employers. Applications are made online on the British Council Study USA website. The application form normally becomes available in late October/early November for participation in the programme the following academic year. Students must apply for the programme in their pre-final year and undertake Study USA just before final year.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/GlobalOpportunities/StudyAbroad/

Industry Links

As well as offering students on our work-based learning module the opportunity to take up placements in schools, business, the media and the arts, we regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, BBC Northern Ireland.

Career Development

Queen's is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers. Queen's students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer. \ \ Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen's. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including recognised Queen's Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Turing study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. \ \ Queen's actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers. \ \ Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Internationally Renowned Experts

The Sociology programme meets the highest standard in Ireland and the UK for undergraduate training in research methods and their application. We are one of only 15 Q-Step Centres in the UK.

Sociology is taught by a group of internationally recognised sociologists who specialise in areas such as family, childhood, religion and conflict.

Student Experience

From Personal Tutors to peer mentoring, we work closely with students to ensure they are supported at every stage of their degree.

A thriving cultural scene organised by our undergraduate and postgraduate communities, from the English Society and Poetry and Pints to the Lifeboat and the Yellow Nib, makes studying English at Queen’s a unique proposition.

Students can work with our visiting Fulbright Scholars, leading US academics who spend a semester at Queen’s each year.

https://www.facebook.com/QubEnglishSociety

Further Study Opportunities

Further study is also an option open to English graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Master’s programmes, including:\ • MA in English Literary Studies\ • MA in Poetry: Creativity and Criticism\ • MA in Creative Writing\ • MSc in Software Development (conversion course)\ • MLaw – Master’s in Law (conversion course)\ • PGCE in Education\ • MRes in Arts and Humanities (English) – research-led

Graduate stories from English MA students\ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qNMKqex50o

Shirley-Anne McMillan, BA English graduate\ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c_qt_vKD1k

“My Sociology degree opened my eyes about the world - I now question everything and my curiosity has grown! It has helped in my current job as I developed my analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for the workplace."\ \ Anna Savage\ BA Sociology graduate \ Statistical Officer, NISRA

"When I started at Queen's it was just another institution to me. Classes to attend, assignments to submit. However, over the course of my degree, Queen's opened up a whole new world to me. I chose a Joint Honours programme that allowed me to study English and Sociology. I had the chance to study the greats in English - Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, and then turn to Sociology to study gender equality, human rights, how to challenge societal norms, and that is only the tip of the iceberg. My subjects are fascinating, my lecturers make them come to life, and the amazing friends I have made here make it so much more than just any other institution. For me, all of the above make Queen's home."\ \ Lucy Gault\ BA English and Sociology Graduate

Graduate stories from English MA students\ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qNMKqex50o

Shirley-Anne McMillan, BA English graduate\ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c_qt_vKD1k

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Join us for an insight into life at Queen's and advice on your journey to university.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/events/)

[##### Your Future Career

Queen’s is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/careers-and-employability/)

[##### Student Accommodation

The most affordable, purpose-built student accommodation in Belfast.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/accommodation/)

Course location

Arts, English and Languages

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