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University of Bristol: Social and Cultural Theory
| Institution | University of Bristol View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences |
| Web | https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate |
| spais-mscenquiries@bristol.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | 0117 331 7577 |
| Study type | Taught |
MSc
Summary
Culture is at the heart of social life, and so understanding it is key to understanding society. Gain the tools you need to understand culture in a rigorous, social scientific way.
Explore a range of debates within the so-called 'cultural turn' in sociological studies, including theoretical and substantive elements. Get to know the work of important thinkers in social and cultural theory, as well as the role of cultural explanations within theories of race and ethnicity, class, gender relations, sexuality and the sociology of religion (among others).
Situate these issues within the framework of analyses and critiques of wider debates and discourses in social and cultural theory, covering questions such as postmodernism, postfeminism and postcolonialism.
Be challenged and inspired by internationally renowned scholars addressing some of the most important topics that face us today. Join a diverse, innovative community that's building the tools to create positive change in the world.
Decode the assumptions underpinning social research on any topic to better formulate coherent theory-led questions for your own research. Benefit from the opportunity to focus on the issues you care about and make your own contribution to human knowledge through your dissertation.
Graduate with a newfound appreciation of culture as the core of social life, well-equipped to critique and selectively synthesise the various approaches covered to perform your own independent cultural analyses.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing: * evidence of significant, relevant work experience in one of the following sectors: NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks, Social Research Institutes (minimum of six months in a paid or voluntary role); See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/ |
| Location | Main Site Beacon House Queens Road Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| England | 15200 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 15200 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 15200 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 15200 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 15200 GBP for Year 1 |
| EU | 30400 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 30400 GBP for Year 1 |
Summary
Culture is at the heart of social life, and so understanding it is key to understanding society. Gain the tools you need to understand culture in a rigorous, social scientific way.
Explore a range of debates within the so-called 'cultural turn' in sociological studies, including theoretical and substantive elements. Get to know the work of important thinkers in social and cultural theory, as well as the role of cultural explanations within theories of race and ethnicity, class, gender relations, sexuality and the sociology of religion (among others).
Situate these issues within the framework of analyses and critiques of wider debates and discourses in social and cultural theory, covering questions such as postmodernism, postfeminism and postcolonialism.
Be challenged and inspired by internationally renowned scholars addressing some of the most important topics that face us today. Join a diverse, innovative community that's building the tools to create positive change in the world.
Decode the assumptions underpinning social research on any topic to better formulate coherent theory-led questions for your own research. Benefit from the opportunity to focus on the issues you care about and make your own contribution to human knowledge through your dissertation.
Graduate with a newfound appreciation of culture as the core of social life, well-equipped to critique and selectively synthesise the various approaches covered to perform your own independent cultural analyses.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing: * evidence of significant, relevant work experience in one of the following sectors: NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks, Social Research Institutes (minimum of six months in a paid or voluntary role); See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/ |
| Location | Main Site Beacon House Queens Road Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| Channel Islands | 7600 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| England | 7600 GBP for Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 7600 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 7600 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 7600 GBP for Year 1 |
Summary
This programme provides an introduction to a range of debates within the so-called 'cultural turn' in sociological studies. Increasingly, sociologists are looking to the concept of culture as a source of explanation - and questioning - in their studies of contemporary social formations.
The MSc in Social and Cultural Theory addresses both theoretical and substantive elements of this cultural turn. The works of key thinkers in social and cultural theory are explored, while the role of cultural explanations within theories of race and ethnicity, class, gender relations, sexuality and the sociology of religion (among others) is also given both theoretical and empirical consideration.
These issues are situated within the framework of analyses and critiques of wider debates and discourses in social and cultural theory. They cover questions such as postmodernism, postfeminism and postcolonialism.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: * evidence of significant, relevant work experience in one of the following sectors: NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks, Social Research Institutes (minimum of six months in a paid or voluntary role); See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/ |
| Location | Clifton Campus Beacon House Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| England | 15100 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 15100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 15100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 15100 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 15100 GBP for Year 1 |
| EU | 29600 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 29600 GBP for Year 1 |
Summary
This programme provides an introduction to a range of debates within the so-called 'cultural turn' in sociological studies. Increasingly, sociologists are looking to the concept of culture as a source of explanation - and questioning - in their studies of contemporary social formations.
The MSc in Social and Cultural Theory addresses both theoretical and substantive elements of this cultural turn. The works of key thinkers in social and cultural theory are explored, while the role of cultural explanations within theories of race and ethnicity, class, gender relations, sexuality and the sociology of religion (among others) is also given both theoretical and empirical consideration.
These issues are situated within the framework of analyses and critiques of wider debates and discourses in social and cultural theory. They cover questions such as postmodernism, postfeminism and postcolonialism.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: * evidence of significant, relevant work experience in one of the following sectors: NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks, Social Research Institutes (minimum of six months in a paid or voluntary role); See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/ |
| Location | Clifton Campus Beacon House Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| Channel Islands | 7550 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| England | 7550 GBP for Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 7550 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 7550 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 7550 GBP for Year 1 |
Discover the University of Bristol
Founded in 1876, the University of Bristol is one of the UK’s top 10 universities (QS World University Rankings 2026), with a global reputation for world-leading research and academic excellence. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities, Bristol also ranks top five in the UK for research (THE analysis of REF 2021).
With its independent and pioneering spirit, the University has a reputation for doing things differently. Bristol was the UK’s first institute of higher education to admit women on an equal basis with men. In 2019, …
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