About Us

Sociology is offered at undergraduate level in a range of degree programmes, and at postgraduate level. The Sociology staff at University of Limerick have a wide range of teaching and research interests which are reflected in the content of modules available to Sociology students. As well as modules in theory and research methods we offer, amongst others, modules that examine the media, gender, work, community development and urban regeneration, health, hate crime and poverty.

First Year concentrates on introducing students to the key concepts within Sociology. The remaining years allow students to study specific areas of Sociology in greater detail. You will learn how to do research, as well as gain a familiarity with how Sociology as a discipline understands, for example, families, communities, society and social change as a whole.

Studying Sociology however will not only give you specific skills in terms of being able to do good research, it also offers you the space to become more analytical and critical of the institutions which shape all our lives. Sociology offers a unique opportunity to understand the complexity of modern life. In career terms graduates of Sociology are well placed to work in any job requiring data collection and analysis such as the fields of research, education, journalism, and community organisations.

There is a strong practical element in studying Sociology at UL and you will acquire, from first year onwards, the skills needed to become an accomplished researcher. Being able to do social research is a very marketable skill and Sociology graduates are in demand from a wide range of employers. Our graduates are also in demand for many of the taught postgraduate courses in areas such as research methodology, youth work, community development, social policy and journalism.