Sociology courses
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.
Discover sociology courses
Online sociology degrees
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
An arts degree that no one else has
Make your degree unique and study what interests you. Analyse critically, think creatively and problem-solve at work or in everyday life. Complete foundational studies then tailor your degree with a major. Create a portfolio and build your connections.
100% online
3 years full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- English,
- Ancient History,
- Modern History,
- Philosophy,
- Politics,
- Sociology,
- Creative Writing,
- Indigenous Studies,
- International Relations,
- Applied Ethics,
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
Pursue your passion and your profession
A flexible arts degree offering a large selection of humanities and social sciences majors. Mix it up with minors and electives in business, health, and science. Develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, and communication skills.
100% online
3 years full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Available majors
- Archaeological and Heritage Studies,
- Creative and Professional Writing,
- Crime, Justice and Legal Studies,
- Digital Media,
- English,
- Hindi Studies Beginners,
- History,
- Human Geography,
- Linguistics,
- Philosophy,
- Politics,
- Psychological Science,
- Sociology,
- Sustainability and Development,
- Visual Cultures,
UndergraduateGRF-ART-DEG
Innovators, communicators and creators start here!
Develop critical thinking, writing, and research skills in demand across all industries. You can follow your passion with majors and electives that interest you. Develop connections through peer learning, networking, and work experience.
100% online
3 years full time or part time equivalent
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,
UndergraduateSWI-SSB-DEG
Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Behavioural Studies
Build amazing people skills to understand those around you
Investigate issues in contemporary Australian society, zooming in on the behaviour and social interaction of individuals and groups. By understanding personality and predicting behaviour, you’ll be prepped for careers in support services and more.
100% online
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Online sociology subjects and short courses
UndergraduateUSA-SOCU1007
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
UndergraduateLTU-SOC1GIL
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
UndergraduateGRF-CCJ108
100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
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Sociology study FAQs
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
- You can enrol without entry requirements
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.
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.
Unlike when you study through a traditional university, you can enrol you in most of the undergraduate subjects available through our website instantly. Enrol in the subjects you’re interested in, and as soon as your study materials arrive, you can start learning online.
As you start completing your subjects, you’ll eventually need to apply to your uni to formally enter your degree. Enrolling in subjects is a great way of becoming eligible and applying successfully. Check out the Registering in this degree section on the degree page you're interested in for more information.
Postgraduate subjects are different. Most of them are restricted, meaning you’ll have to apply for entry and be accepted before you can start studying online. You’ll find information about the application process on the postgraduate degree page that you’re interested in.
Enrolling is easy. You can enrol online or over the phone with a student advisor.
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Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.
You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni
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We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.
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