Table of contents

Study Model

Autumn 2025

Major courses

Other compulsory courses

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Spring 2026

Major courses

Other compulsory courses

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Autumn 2026

Minor component 40 ECTS credits (10 3rd sem. and 30 4th sem.)

Development Studies

Gender, Power and Diversity

HR og organisasjonsutvikling (begr. plasser)

Major courses

Pedagogics (restricted admission)

Philosophy

Planning

Political Science

Religion, ethics and society

Sustainable Transformation

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Spring 2027

Development Studies

Gender, Power and Diversity

HR og organisasjonsutvikling (begr. plasser)

Pedagogics (restricted admission)

Philosophy

Planning

Political Science

Religion, ethics and society

Sustainable Transformation

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Autumn 2027

Major courses

Other compulsory courses

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Spring 2028

Major courses

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Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the study, candidates should:

Knowledge

  • Have broad knowledge of key perspectives, concepts, theories, and methods within sociology
  • Be familiar with how theoretical perspectives and concepts are used in studies of how social interaction shapes societal structures
  • Be aware of important historical developments in sociology as a discipline
  • Be familiar with descriptions of and perspectives on societal change
  • Be able to describe typical characteristics of modern societies along economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions
  • Be aware of global differences and similarities between societies, and how globalization affects individual lives
  • Be familiar with key and recent research in sociology generally, with particular focus on welfare and equality, family and childhood, globalization and migration, participation, deviance, and crime
  • Be able to explain various methods used by social researchers to collect and analyze data

Skills

  • Be able to apply sociological perspectives and theories in analyses of key societal questions and development trends
  • Be able to engage in professional discussions with the ability to give and receive constructive criticism
  • Be able to formulate relevant issues and use different scientific methods
  • Be able to use their knowledge within sociological themes to identify important social problems and development tendencies, find, assess, and refer to relevant information about them in a reflective manner
  • Be able to gather data and express themselves both in writing and orally

General Competence

  • Be able to explain important research ethical issues
  • Have developed critical abilities, independence, and analytical skills
  • Be able to convey key sociological perspectives and issues both in writing and orally
  • Be able to reflect on how sociological perspectives can be used to understand changes in society and working life
  • Be able to use sociological perspectives to understand consequences of changes in society
  • Be able to plan and carry out a sociological project over time, either alone or as part of a group, in line with ethical principles and guidelines

Admission requirements

Completion of general upper-secondary education.

Recommended previous knowledge

Students are expected to acquire curriculum literature in the Scandinavian languages and English. Good English skills are recommended as parts of the instruction will be conducted in English.

General description and profile of the programme

Sociology is the study of society, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human actions. Sociology provides tools to understand how society functions, how social institutions influence our lives, and how the relationship between individuals and society creates social life. Since all human actions are fundamentally social and often follow patterns that are relatively independent of the individual, sociologists are concerned with everything from close relationships to global changes. Sociology addresses major societal issues, from climate disasters to financial crises, political polarization, and growing class differences, but is also concerned with relationships between individuals on a micro-level.

A sociologist possesses the knowledge needed to create inclusion, social change, or advancement within institutions and organizations. Sociologists become skilled at analyzing society and can develop and implement processes that aim for inclusion, knowledge development, and interaction between different groups in society. This competence is relevant for a wide range of employers in the private and public sectors.

The bachelor's program in sociology at UiA offers broad thematic coverage, including welfare, inequality, globalization, education, crime, family relationships, gender, religion, and minorities. Sociology provides theoretical perspectives and frameworks that enable students to understand and describe society's complexity. Research methods form a central part of the study, and the bachelor's thesis allows students to delve into a self-selected sociological issue. The bachelor's program in sociology is suitable for those interested in understanding and gaining the competence to analyze key characteristics of our modern societies and how they change.

The bachelor's program consists of a specialization in sociology of 110 ECTS credits, including the bachelor's thesis of 20 ECTS credits (all courses with the SV code in the study plan). Additionally, students must take courses in scientific methods and ex.phil., and a 40 ECTS credit elective breadth component.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching and learning methods vary between lectures, group work, seminars, portfolio submissions, and assignments. Guidance will be provided both individually and in groups. Participation in lectures is usually not mandatory, but there may be participation requirements in certain courses. Most courses have mandatory assignments that must be approved/passed to take the exam. The language of instruction is Norwegian, but some courses will be taught in English. Students are expected to be active in teaching and in fulfilling mandatory course requirements.

Assessment methods

The study program employs various assessment methods such as individual school exams, home exams, semester papers, and oral exams.

Internationalisation

The program uses international curriculum literature and global perspectives are central. It emphasizes diversity, comparative perspectives on welfare society, and the consequences of globalization and migration. Some courses are taught in English and are open to exchange students. There will be occasional English lectures in different courses.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies

The study program provides analytical skills and relevant competence for jobs in public, private, and volunteer sectors. With a bachelor's degree in sociology, students can contribute methodical and analytical competence in institutions and organizations that administer and organize people and social processes. Particularly, knowledge of participation, power, management, and change will be sought after by employers who wish to influence individuals and groups in society.

Qualification awarded

Upon completion of the program, the degree "Bachelor of Sociology" is awarded.

Student evaluations

Study programme evaluation is conducted annually in the programme committee in accordance with the Quality System, section 4.2. Before the meeting of the study programme committee, the student representative may obtain suggestions and ideas from fellow students.

Other information

Certain courses are conducted together with students from other study programs. Certain courses may be taught in English. All students at UiA are required to have their own laptops for use in teaching and exams, in accordance with regulations on studies and exams at the University of Agder § 12d.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 3:34:49 PM