We are a multidisciplinary School, with highly-ranked subject specialisms in Sociology, Criminology, Sport, Social Work, and Community and Youth Work. Our undergraduate programmes in Sociology, Criminology and Sport are among the most popular in the UK.

Recent university guides rate the School at outstanding levels.  The Complete University Guide for 1012 lists the School as 2nd in the UK for sport studies, out of 74 institutions, while we are rated as 3rd in the UK for Sociology (which includes Criminology) out of 89 institutions.

The quality of our research in the School of Applied Social Sciences has been formally recognised by the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 - a rigorous procedure designed to assess research activities at every UK university.

In the recent exercise, 90% of research in the School was rated as of international significance with 60% being internationally excellent or of world leading originality, significance and rigour in its Unit of Assessment (Social Policy and Social Work).  The School's "excellent active and vital research culture" was highlighted, along with our outstanding international collaborations, interdisciplinarity and impact on policy and practice.

Thirty per cent of our students are postgraduates, either training for a professional qualification or undertaking research for a Masters degree or PhD. We have three ESRC-recognised taught Masters programmes in Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, and a large group of research students attracted by working with our world-class academics, either self-funded or supported by bursaries.

We offer the opportunity to study in the outstandingly beautiful city of Durham and at one of the country's top universities, the third oldest in England. Our ethos, however, is contemporary and applied. Our aim is to enable every one of our students to fulfill their potential: many are now in key positions in government, public services, business, universities and the media. There is a highly developed research culture, with a large group of postgraduate students studying for Masters degrees and doctorates. Our research is interdisciplinary and often informs policy and practice. Our new Masters in Professional Practice, for example, is specially designed for professionals to undertake work-based projects for a research dissertation, and a new taught Masters in Managing Community Practice has been developed for those working to improve the welfare of local communities.

About the School

Our degree programmes provide an exciting range of opportunities for students from across the UK and abroad, with further opportunities for postgraduate study. The School's research training programme is recognised by the UK Economic and Social Research Council, and we have a high success rate in securing ESRC research studentships.

We offer three undergraduate degree programmes in Sociology, Criminology and Sport. Possible combinations with Sociology include Law, Politics and Anthropology. Sociology and the related field of Social Policy are well-established academic disciplines at Durham while the Sport and Criminology programmes are newer developments. The Sport programme is a unique combination of sport science and sport performance together with sociological and policy perspectives on sport as a global phenomenon. Durham is one of the UK's top sporting universities, and recreational sport is an important part of the university's college life.

The School is an international leader in the education and development of social workers, youth workers and community workers. Postgraduate programmes in social work include professionally-accredited Masters degrees in social work and community and youth work, with opportunities for non-UK students to study similar programmes designed from an international perspective.
The School also offers first-class training in research methods and techniques, Masters degrees in research in sociology, social policy and social work share a common modular framework offering flexibility of study. Many students take these courses to prepare for a doctorate and our PhD students are an important and valued part of life in the School. There are also opportunities to study for a Masters degree by research, with a route specially designed for public services professionals wanting to undertake a work-based project.

The School offers a cosmopolitan and informal environment for scholarship of the highest academic standard. Our programmes attract well-qualified candidates from across the world, wanting to study with leading experts in their fields in the unparalleled setting of Durham's World Heritage Site.