Sociology

Connect lived experience to broad social issues

Studying sociology at UNSW develops your capacity to connect lived experience with broad societal issues. Renowned as the first sociology program in Australia, we have a strong international reputation for theoretical innovation, teaching excellence and training. You’ll examine the realities, conflicts and challenges of social life in its many cultural forms.  

Studying sociology at UNSW, you’ll learn from award-winning teachers and researchers who provide you with a deep appreciation of the complexities and the possibilities of lived experience in a fast-changing world, and generate new perspectives on the diversity of social and cultural experiences

Cutting-edge research that addresses big questions

What makes life meaningful? Why do we disagree and why do we care? What constitutes social change? The study of sociology addresses these fundamental questions with conceptual rigour and the application of practical insights. Together, our academics and students seek to understand the differences in how we live our lives and the way cultural assumptions are enacted, challenged and transformed in everyday life. This approach underpins how we communicate and interact in the world and equips you in your studies, future work and research prospects. 

We teach and research a variety of topics such as:

• cultural and social theory
• Indigenous Australia and identity
• media sociology
• work and technology
• ecology and post-humanism
• visual sociology
• Asia Pacific region and Australia
• place, ethnicity, citizenship and globalisation
• health, quality of life and life cycle.

Critical perspectives to broaden your worldview

The study of sociology addresses the tensions and interactions between different social and cultural groups. This makes your training as a Sociology Major increasingly valuable in our highly globalised and interconnected world. 

Our graduates pursue a wide variety of careers in fields such as:

• public sector
• teaching
• research
• policy work
• not-for-profit organisations
• media industries
• marketing
• arts practice
• international and multilateral organisations.

Sociology at UNSW through innovative curriculum design and advanced teaching techniques. We also offer a diverse program of study in related subject areas such as social theory, cultural studies, feminist theory, social anthropology, sociological approaches to communication and public media, political sociology, ethnic studies and policy-related studies.

We offer the below undergraduate courses with a specialisation in sociology: