Major Undergraduate

Sociology


Study mode
Part Time Full Time
Study mode
Full Time
Murdoch code
MJ-SOCY
What is a Major?
A major is your primary area of focus within a degree. It determines the core subjects you'll study and the skills you'll master.

Major overview

Understand societies and influence social change with a major in sociology

Explore how societies function and how people interact within them with a Sociology major as part of our Bachelor of Arts. You’ll examine social structures, human behaviour and contemporary issues, building the skills to understand and respond to the challenges shaping communities today. 

Across your sociology studies, you’ll investigate topics such as inequality, identity, culture and social change, including how class, gender, race and belief systems shape people’s experiences. You’ll also explore issues related to social justice, health and wellbeing, developing the skills to analyse patterns and trends across different societies and understand their real-world impact. 

As part of your Bachelor of Arts, you can combine this major with others to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals. Pair Sociology with Community Development or International Aid and Development to design and support community programs, or with Sustainable Development to address environmental and social challenges. You can also combine your studies with Politics and International Studies to understand policy and governance, or with Philosophy to strengthen ethical reasoning and critical thinking. Broaden your perspective with History or Asian Studies to explore social change across cultures, or with Indonesian or Japanese to engage with diverse communities. You can also pair with English and Creative Writing or Theatre and Creative Production to communicate social issues effectively, or apply your skills in industry contexts with Tourism and Events.
Students studying together in Murdoch library

3 reasons to study sociology at Murdoch University

  1. Combine Sociology with a wide range of other arts degree majors, giving you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your career goals. 
  2. Study at a university rated five stars for student support at both undergraduate and postgraduate level (Good Universities Guide 2026). 
  3. Study at the university ranked #1 in Western Australia for full-time employment, median salary and student support in Humanities and Social Sciences (Good Universities Guide 2026). 

What you’ll learn

  • Understand how societies are structured and how social systems influence behaviour. 
  • Study societies and social issues such as inequality, identity, culture and social change. 
  • Apply sociological theories to interpret real-world challenges. 
  • Develop research skills to investigate social trends and patterns. 
  • Evaluate different perspectives and approaches to understanding society. 
  • Communicate insights clearly for academic, professional and public audiences.

Having completed three semesters and my honours research in Indonesia, I was able to get a much better idea of development on the ground. I found that when I graduated, I had a more realistic idea of what to expect in the workplace.

Karis Erceg, Bachelor of Arts

Murdoch University HASS student sat on beach
HASS students talking on campus

Your future career in sociology

With a Sociology major, you’ll graduate with the research, analytical and communication skills to understand complex social issues and contribute to meaningful change through a wide range of sociology career pathways. 

Whether you’re interested in social justice, community wellbeing or shaping policy, these capabilities are valued across government, social research, community services, education and the not-for-profit sector, where you can work to improve outcomes for individuals, communities and society as a whole. 

Potential roles include: 

  • Social researcher or analyst 
  • Policy officer 
  • Community development officer 
  • Program coordinator 
  • Social impact or advocacy officer 
  • Public sector professional
For more details about our Sociology major, download our information pack.

Start dates

Starting period Location Face to Face Online Mixed mode
Semester 2, 2026 Murdoch Yes Yes Yes
Semester 1, 2027 Murdoch Yes Yes Yes
Semester 2, 2027 Murdoch Yes Yes Yes

View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.

Major Structure

Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Unit code Unit name Credit points

How to Apply

Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Applied Social Care

Study a Bachelor of Applied Social Care at Murdoch University and build the skills to support individuals, families and communities. Apply today.

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Arts

Study a Bachelor of Arts at Murdoch University and choose from a wide range of flexible majors to tailor your degree. Apply today.

Have a question? Get in touch.

1300 687 3624

1300 687 3624

1300 687 3624

Send an enquiry

Send an enquiry

Send an enquiry

Live chat

Live chat

Live chat