Sociology is a vast field where students study social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. They can be employed by the government or even by private companies to manage social relations in the workplace. Sociology allows people to gain knowledge in subjects like philosophy, history, political science, and even psychology. It deals with human behavior and society in general.
Students can opt for a sociology degree at all levels including bachelor's, master’s and even PhD in sociology. There are many diploma and certificate courses also available at universities. Apart from traditional offline classes, many universities also offer online courses. People can also choose from a variety of certificate courses in sociology available on websites like Udemy, Coursera and edX.
After completing a sociology course, students can get hired by both private and government sectors. Their job roles include sociologist, teacher, research conductor, social worker and even data analyst. The average starting salary is INR 3.5 – 5 LPA.
Table of Content
Sociology Course Highlights
| Top Courses | BA Sociology, BA Hons Sociology, MA Sociology |
| General Eligibility Criteria | 50% in 10+2 with Arts or Humanities stream |
| Average Fees | INR 10,000 – 3,00,000 |
| Top Job Prospects | Sociologist, Social Worker, Journalist, Content Writer, HR |
| Average Salary | INR 3.5 – 5 LPA |
Certificate Courses in Sociology
A certificate course in sociology covers the basic concepts of sociology. These courses cover topics such as social institutions, inequality, globalization, and cultural dynamics. Besides theoretical knowledge, students learn about different research methods, data analysis, and critical thinking skills to examine various societal structures.
Top Certificate Courses in Sociology
| Course | Provider | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Sociology | Udemy | INR 1,900 |
| Inclusion of Minorities in the Community | Alison | Free |
| Feminism and Social Justice | Coursera | Free to Audit |
| International Women’s Health and Human Rights | Stanford University | Free to Audit |
| Paradoxes of War | Princeton University via Coursera | Free to Audit |
| Community Organizing for Social Justice | University of Michigan | Free to Audit |
| Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship | Madras School of Social Work | INR 1,200 |
Diploma in Sociology
Students can do a Diploma in Sociology or a Post Graduate Diploma in Sociology. A diploma in Sociology can be done after class 12 whereas PG Diploma in Sociology requires students to do a bachelor’s in Sociology or related fields.
Diploma Courses in Sociology
The table mentions details about the Diploma in Sociology as well as similar courses at the diploma level.
| Course | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Sociology | GDM College, Nalanda | INR 10,000 |
| Diploma in Women’s Empowerment | IGNOU | INR 5,600 |
| Diploma in Buddhist Studies | Madras University, Chennai | INR 5,000 |
PG Diploma Courses in Sociology
The table mentions details about the PG Diploma in Sociology as well as similar courses at the PG diploma level.
| Course | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| PG Diploma in Social Work | IGNOU, Rabindra Bharati University Kolkata, Maharaja Harishchandra PG College, School of Social Work | INR 10,000 – 50,000 |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management | IGNOU, TISS, Punjab University, Christ University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Symbiosis Pune | INR 5,000 – 3,00,000 |
| PG Diploma in Rural Development | NIRD Hyderabad, IGNOU, HDF School of Management, HDFSM, Dibrugarh University | INR 5,000 – 1,00,000 |
Admission Process
The admission process differs from college to college. But mostly, colleges offer seats based on merit. For Diploma courses, the marks of 12th standard are considered.
Bachelors in Sociology
Bachelor’s in Sociology is a 3-year degree. Students can either pursue a general BA course with Sociology as one of the core subjects or pursue a BA in Sociology.
Bachelors in Sociology: Top Colleges
Here is a list of the best colleges that offer a bachelor's degree in sociology. People who want to pursue a career in teaching also opt for an integrated course.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Sociology as core subject) | Delhi University, JNU, Amity University, Jindal School of Arts, Christ University, Mumbai University, Lovely Professional University | INR 10,000 – 3,00,000 |
| BA Sociology | Delhi University, Loyola College Chennai, Christ University, St. Xaviers College Mumbai | INR 10,000 – 5,00,000 |
| BA (Hons) Sociology | Delhi University, Presidency University, St. Xaviers College, Magadh Mahila College | INR 6,500 – 20,000 |
Admission Process
- Admission to a college offering a bachelor’s degree in Sociology depends on the eligibility criteria.
- Some colleges such as IP University, TISS Mumbai, and Delhi University conduct entrance exams for BA sociology admission.
- They conduct IPU-CET, TISSNET and CUET respectively. Other colleges consider merit in 10+2.
Masters in Sociology
Masters in Sociology offers a mode in- depth study of various aspects of Sociology. It deals with subjects like Religion, Gender, Economy, Rural Development, Political Sociology and many more.
- The duration of Masters in Sociology is 2 years.
- Admissions are mostly done on the basis of graduation marks. Some colleges require students to score a minimum of 55% in graduation.
- Students with a bachelor's degree in Sociology are preferred.
- The average salary offered by companies for Masters in Sociology students is between INR 3.5 – 6.5 LPA.
Masters in Sociology: Top Colleges
Here are the top courses in sociology offered in India.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| MA Sociology | Delhi University, Loyola College, TISS, Christ University, JNU, NIMS University | INR 10,000 – 2,00,000 |
| MA Social work | Jamia Millia Islamia, Christ University, IGNOU, University of Mumbai, TISS | INR 15,000 – 2,00,000 |
| MA Cultural Studies/ MA Media and Cultural Studies | TISS, Jain University, Assam Women's University, Tezpur University | INR 30,000 – 1,00,000 |
Admission Process
- The majority of colleges take admissions based on the entrance test result.
- Some colleges take admissions based solely on the marks obtained during graduation on the basis of merit.
- Candidates should obtain a minimum percentage of qualifying marks to sit for the entrance test of colleges. mostly this percentage is 50%.
- In some universities like Delhi University, students can either choose to take admission on the basis of merit or take the entrance test.
- Colleges like TISS consider both graduation marks and entrance test marks and even take a personal interview.
PhD in Sociology
PhD in Sociology involves research in the field of Sociology. The duration of PhD in Sociology depends upon the field of research. Some topics take merely 2 years while others can take longer. The average salary expected after PhD in Sociology is INR 8 – 10 LPA.
Top Sociology Courses: PhD Level
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| PhD in Sociology | IIT Kanpur, IGNOU, IIT Hyderabad, Jaipur National University, Christ University, Jadavpur University | INR 20,000 – 3,00,000 |
| PhD in Social Sciences | JNU New Delhi, TISS, University of Rajasthan, Banaras Hindu University | INR 10,000 – 2,00,000 |
There are many subjects that people can opt for in a PhD. It is basically a research degree and students can do research in any subject area of their interest. Other options include PhD in Social change, PhD in social environment, PhD in resource management, etc.
Admission Process
It is important for people to do a master’s in sociology or related fields to study for a PhD. The admissions are mostly done on the basis of entrance exams.
- Some of these exams are CBSE UGC NET, CSIR UGC NET, JRF, etc.
- A minimum of 55% is required in a master’s degree to sit for these exams.
Career Options After Sociology
Here we have discussed some of the popular career options after studying sociology.
Social Worker
A degree in sociology allows people to understand the dynamics of society. It makes them a perfect candidate to analyse the problems in the society. Once the problem is realized, they can work towards solving it. People can work in NGOs or even start their own NGO.
Starting Salary: INR 4-5 LPA
Skills required:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Patience
- Active listening
- Empathy
- Report making
Teacher/ Professor
After completing a degree in sociology, people can pursue a degree in BEd and apply to become a school teacher. People can also study further in the subject to become university professors. Professors also conduct research on various subjects, and some even become authors later.
Starting Salary: INR 6-7 LPA
Skills required:
- Communication
- Learning skills
- Confidence
- Organizational skills
HR Executive
A degree in sociology also gives insights into human behaviour. It makes people understand how humans work in society, their weaknesses, strengths and an ideal working environment. Private companies can hire sociology graduates in the HR department.
Starting Salary: INR 5-7 LPA
Skills required
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork
- Project management
- Employee relation management
Data Analyst
Studying sociology involves researching deeply on various subjects and forming reports. Some graduates even write research papers during their tenure as students. It equips them with key skills to conduct research and analyse the data.
Starting salary: INR 6 – 8 LPA
Skills required
- Predictive Analytics using Python
- Presentation skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Data visualisation
- Research skills
- Report making
Sociology Courses: FAQs
Ques. Is it better to pursue a general BA degree with Sociology as one of the core subjects or a BA in Sociology?
Ans. If you want to know about Sociology in general then you can opt for a general Bachelor of Arts degree with Sociology as one of the core subjects. If you want to study Sociology in depth and want to explore career opportunities in the same field, then you should choose a BA degree in Sociology.
Ques. Can I study BA Sociology even if I didn’t study Sociology in 12th?
Ans. Yes, it is allowed as long as you meet the eligibility criteria of the college. The eligibility criteria is generally passing 10+2 with the Arts or Humanities stream.
Ques. Can I get a job in HR with a sociology degree?
Ans. Yes, It is a suitable degree to pursue this job.
Ques. Can I do an MBA after a BA in Sociology?
Ans. Yes, an MBA is a professional course which allows people from various educational backgrounds. Moreover, it will make you highly employable as you will have knowledge of both the market and business ethics.
Ques. Is BA Sociology a good degree if I want to prepare for UPSC?
Ans. Yes, It will allow you to understand how society works and give you insights about other fields of study as well. You can also prepare for UPSC side by side while in your graduation. People also choose sociology as their main subject.
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