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Learn about inequality issues on a local, national and global level. Discover what causes it and explore strategies for change. Build skills for a career in public service, charities, or education, or take your studies further with a PhD.
What is inequality, and why does it matter? Why do some people have more money, chances, or power than others? How does this affect everyday life, and what can we do about it?
This course dives into big questions about economic and social inequality. You’ll explore what inequality looks like, where it comes from, and how it affects people differently depending on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, education, and where they live.
You’ll learn to think deeply and critically, using ideas from philosophy, politics, and social science. You’ll also look at real-life data to understand how inequality is measured – and how it shows up in the world around us.
You’ll build skills in research, writing, presenting, and problem-solving – skills that are useful in many careers. Want to learn how to write a funding proposal? Run a podcast? Use research tools like SPSS or NVivo? You can do that here.
You can tailor the course to your interests by choosing from a range of topics, such as health and inequality, Race, gender, disability, digital media, and social cohesion.
You'll also explore topics from national and global perspectives, such as the specific challenges facing post-industrial regions like the north-east.
Many of our modules align with real-world goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and current UK policy challenges.
This course helps prepare you for careers in public service, research, non-profits, media, and more. It gives you tools to understand the world – and maybe even change it.
The full-time course is studied over one year from October to September. The course runs on a Tuesday with modules in three-hour blocks (1–4pm and 5–8pm) to fit around work and childcare commitments.
The course will typically be taught as follows:
All classes in semester one are on Tuesdays. These are held in the afternoon (1–4pm for the first core module) and evening (5–8pm for the second core module).
Development sessions are optional. They also run on certain Tuesdays throughout semester one and two. These sessions will cover topics such as writing a PhD proposal, searching for academic journals, exploring additional research methods, providing dissertation drop-ins, employability and graduate support, and opportunities to give course feedback.
All classes in semester two are also on Tuesdays in the same timeslots (1–4pm and 5–8pm).
Alongside writing your dissertation, there will be two mandatory dissertation workshops to prepare you for your dissertation research. These run on Tuesdays, 1–4pm, between semesters one and two (in February). You'll be provided with an academic calendar with the exact dates when you enrol.
The part-time version is studied over two years and follows the same day and time slots as full-time students. However, in your first year you'll study a core module in semester one (5–8pm) and an optional module in either the 1–4pm or 5–8pm slot in semester two. In your second year, you'll complete your second core module in semester one, a second optional module in semester two, and your dissertation module.
As part of your dissertation module, you must also take part in a day-long MSc Dissertation Conference in the September you are due to complete the course.
We would also encourage you to attend other voluntary training courses and opportunities where possible.
A typical week for you, whether full-time or part-time, will include interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, blended learning, group and individual work, and computer-based learning. Throughout the course, you'll have one-to-one support from an allocated Personal Academic Tutor who will meet with you regularly.
If you choose a degree in social science, you could be presented with a wide variety of job opportunities when you graduate. We’ve compiled a list of seven potential jobs you could go into with a social science degree to give you some inspiration.
Read about the jobs you could get with a social science degree
We caught up with Senior Lecturer, Drew Dalton, to find out why social sciences are a great area to study at degree level and how they can make you think differently.
Explore the impact studying social sciences can have on the way you think
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| a Canadian bachelor's degree | GPA 2.40 |
| a USA bachelor's degree | GPA 2.5 |
If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We usually require applicants to hold at least a second-class honours degree (usually a 2:1 or above) or equivalent.
We welcome applicants with degrees in areas such as social sciences, psychology, business, law, education, humanities, health, arts, technology, and the sciences.
Experience may be counted towards your application.
We provide some introductory content as part of our online ‘Flying Start’ module to cover the basics, but we recommend that you have knowledge of, or read about, sociological theories and concepts, before starting the course.
Applicants whose first language isn't English must achieve a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 in all four areas.
Fees are:
Part-time fees are £500 per 10 credits. Please note that part-time courses aren't available to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
This course creates a number of career options. Your expert knowledge of equality and diversity, data analysis, and strong research skills will be highly prized by employers. You'll become a specialist in your chosen area of inequality.
Many of our graduates work in human rights, equality, inclusion and diversity, education, the criminal justice system, the private sector and business, local and national government, international development, social justice campaign work, advocacy, and social research. Many also go on to study a postgraduate research qualification, such as a PhD.
Read more about what you can do with a Social Science degree.
Graduates of this course will be able to forge careers:
At the beginning of the course, a full induction and Flying Start pre-course module will introduce you to the Employability and Enterprise Hub, offering a range of career and CV-enhancing services. Optional development sessions during the course will support you in learning new skills, research methods, and boosting future employment opportunities. There may also be additional training courses to top up your CV, and we'll promote opportunities for you to attend conferences and events. The additional courses may be on different days to timetabled modules.
You may be offered opportunities to engage with short or long-term internships with organisations that are involved with tackling social inequalities or carrying out related social research. This is a great way to gain experience with cutting-edge organisations as you study, and may form the basis of your final dissertation topic. Previous MSc students have taken positions with acclaimed organisations such as The Equality Trust and JustFair.
At the end of the course in the September, you'll take part in arranging and presenting your dissertation findings in front of your peers and staff members. This is a supportive experience that allows you to familiarise yourself with presenting research and associated findings in a conference setting, which will enhance your confidence, CV, and career development.
The University of Sunderland’s Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS) combines original academic research with practice-based collaborations and outreach activities, often working directly with practitioners, policymakers, and front-line delivery staff regionally, nationally, and internationally.
The mission of CASS reflects that of the University's aim as a civic university: to take an active interest in the social issues that affect the region and beyond by engaging in research and practice-based collaborations that aim to improve living conditions, address inequalities and social exclusion, and promote social justice.
Currently, our research focuses around three strands: children, young people and families; communities, health and social exclusion; and crime, victims and social justice.
CASS regularly hosts visiting speakers and holds events that you'll be invited to. This can be an excellent way to learn from the real-life experience of experts in the field who already have a strong track record in sociological and social policy related research.
PhD options include:
The structure, support and friendly culture are better than any other university I’ve studied at.
I’ve enjoyed being part of the community and University all five years I’ve been a student here.
The University has helped me achieve my dream of receiving an education to be proud of.
The level of support from staff has really been the key to my success.
My experience has been truly life-changing – I have seen myself develop and gain confidence.
The range of modules are amazingly diverse and interesting – I wish I could have chosen them all!
You’ll receive an education that will put your critical thinking on a whole new plane.
I loved every lecture and the teaching team were incredibly supportive throughout.
The course content is super and I’m always looking forward to getting stuck into the material.
Everyone is made to feel welcome and given an equal chance to thrive.
The University and this course have given me hope, a direction and purpose.
I’ve made incredible memories and had lecturers who are extremely passionate about their subjects.
The lecturers are so passionate and professional in what they do, which is very inspiring.
