Sociology courses

Investigate what causes social issues in this research-based study area

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Sociology

Do you want to push for change in Australian society? Sociologists research all sorts of behavioural trends so they can recommend improvements at a community level. You should choose this study path if you’d like to understand the theory and the practice behind this rewarding work. You’ll learn sociological theories, research methods and data analytics skills that will allow you to advocate for different social groups. 

Start by comparing the various online sociology courses that are available with leading universities. We’re here to help you make sense of your options and find your right fit.

Explore sociology courses
Open Universities Australia student Shiree at work standing in front of a colourful notice board.
Shiree studied humanities and social studies with Griffith University, through Open Universities Australia

Discover sociology courses

Online sociology subjects and short courses

Curtin University
Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 2 Jun 2025, 1 Dec 2025

Next enrolment closes 25 May

La Trobe University

Sex, Race Nation

UndergraduateLTU-GSD1SDG

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 28 Jul 2025
Murdoch University

Food Security

UndergraduateMUR-SOC301

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 28 Jul 2025
University of South Australia

Health and Society

UndergraduateUSA-HLTH1054

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 22 Sep 2025
View all subjects

Online sociology degrees

Macquarie University

Bachelor of Arts

UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG

An arts degree that no one else has

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Available majors

  • Ancient History
  • Creative Writing
  • English
  • Critical Indigenous Studies
  • International Relations
  • Modern History
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Sociology
Griffith University

Bachelor of Arts

UndergraduateGRF-ART-DEG

Innovators, communicators and creators start here!

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Available majors

  • Art History
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Literature
  • Public Relations
  • Screen and Media Studies
  • Sociology
La Trobe University

Make the world a healthier place. Your way.

Study method
100% online
Duration
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Available majors

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeological and Heritage Studies
  • Asian Studies
  • Creative and Professional Writing
  • Crime, Justice and Legal Studies
  • Digital Media
  • English
  • Ethics and Social Justice
  • Hindi Studies Beginners
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Sociology
  • Sustainabilty and Development
  • Visual Cultures
  • Digital Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Health Promotion
  • Health, Wellbeing and Performance
  • Psychological Science
  • Public Health
  • Rehabillitation Counselling
Swinburne University of Technology

Build amazing people skills to understand those around you

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
View all bachelor degrees

Discover 156 ways to study sociology with leading Australian universities.

Explore sociology courses

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Sociology study FAQs

What is a sociology degree?

A sociology degree explores why people behave the way they do within society. During your studies, you will look at the things that influence everyday life, like consumerism, religion, gender, socioeconomics and pop culture. 

Most undergraduate students study sociology by enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts and majoring in sociology subjects. Postgraduates can specialise in an aspect of sociology like gender studies through a Master of Arts.

What do you learn in a sociology degree?

You can expect your sociology studies to be very theoretical and research focused. You will explore the social and cultural issues that shape modern society, and then evaluate your findings through research papers and case studies.   

Depending on your course, you’ll develop skills in:

  • Social research methods

  • Interviewing

  • Data analysis

  • Social development theory

  • Social psychology

What is the difference between a sociology and psychology degree?

A sociology degree looks at how people behave as a collective, while a psychology degree looks at how people behave individually. 

You should choose sociology if you’d like to conduct research that could help a particular social group, like young people, families or migrants. Choose psychology if you’d like work one-on-one with people on their personal issues and mental health challenges.    

If you can’t decide, there are qualifications available through our marketplace that combine both disciplines, such as the Bachelor of Psychological Science and Sociology. This study path has its advantages. It allows you to understand the social and psychological reasons people behave the way they do, which could make you a more well-rounded sociologist.

Why should I study sociology?

You should study a degree in sociology if you want to understand why social problems exist—so you can change things for the better. Sociologists use research and data to investigate a broad range of issues, from social inequality, gender and racism to youth crime rates and homelessness. Their findings often influence government policies, community development projects and healthcare processes, to name a few. If you’d like your work to truly make a difference, sociology is an area worth considering.

Why study sociology online?

You should study your sociology degree online if you’re looking for flexibility. The courses available online through Open Universities Australia give you the freedom to study at a pace that suits your lifestyle. You can take on as many—or as few—subjects at a time as you like, which means you can dictate when you finish your course.

This also makes it possible to travel or work while you study, since you’re not required to attend lectures face to face. Sociology is all about gathering new experiences, so this can only help you in your coursework.

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

  • You can enrol without entry requirements We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.

  • You have total control over how you study Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.

  • You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.

  • We’ll help you navigate the university world Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

What jobs can you get with a sociology degree?

Your sociology degree could lead to a job in any industry where research, critical thinking and data analytics skills are needed. 

Graduates commonly go on to pursue careers in: 

  • Social research

  • Social policy planning

  • Community development

  • Social services and welfare

  • Criminal justice

  • Business analysis

  • Academia and teaching

  • Journalism and communications

Read more about the different career opportunities for sociologists.

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

How do I enrol?

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

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We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

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