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 or Bachelor of Applied Social Care. 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 majors such as Community Development, International Aid and Development, Politics and International Studies and more to broaden your perspective and explore complex social issues from multiple angles.
As part of your Bachelor of Applied Social Care, you can combine Sociology with majors in areas such as Human Behaviour, Human Rights and Child and Family Studies, among others, to deepen your understanding of the social factors that shape wellbeing, communities and people's experiences.
3 reasons to study sociology at Murdoch University
- Combine Sociology with another major giving you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your career goals.
- Study at a university rated five stars for student support at both undergraduate and postgraduate level (Good Universities Guide 2026).
- 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
Your future career in sociology
- Social researcher or analyst
- Policy officer
- Community development officer
- Program coordinator
- Social impact or advocacy officer
- Public sector professional
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online | Mixed mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 1, 2028 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 2, 2028 | 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.
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.
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.
Study a Bachelor of Arts at Murdoch University and choose from a wide range of flexible majors to tailor your degree. Apply today.