Department of Sociology

Source: https://www.york.ac.uk/sociology/ Parent: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/

Understanding society, challenging injustice, shaping futures.

Study with us

Explore how the social world is shaped, from everyday social interaction to global structures of power and inequality.

Our range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses explore all aspects of sociology and criminology, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests.

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Our research

Innovative research addressing contemporary challenges in society.

Our research brings about instrumental changes locally, nationally and globally. We work closely with policymakers, service providers and practitioners to ensure that our research has real-world impact.

Explore our research

At York, we'll enable you to gain all the skills you need to understand and analyse some of the most pressing social problems of our time. You'll be trained in a broad range of sociological, social-psychological, sociolegal and criminological perspectives and research. The work of academic staff and fellow students creates an intellectually and personally supportive learning environment that will form the basis of your future success.

Professor Nik Brown, Head of Department

1st for research impact

and 4th in the UK for research overall in Sociology according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

8th in the UK

for Criminology and 12th in the UK for Sociology in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

World Top 100

for Sociology in the QS World Ranking by subject 2025.

News

The Return of the Housewife: Why women are still cleaning up is one of CHOICE’s outstanding academic titles for 2025

10 December 2025

The book is written by Dr Emma Casey.

News

Highly Commended Award for Centre for Women’s Studies Director, Dr Rachel Alsop, at University of York Inclusive Impact Awards

1 December 2025

Dr Rachel Alsop along with colleagues Professor Sara de Jong and Professor Simon Parker from the Department of Politics received a highly commended award in the 'Bridge Builder' category at the fourth annual Community Without Limits Inclusive Impact Awards held at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall on Tuesday 25 November.

News