What
is sociology?
Sociology is the study of
social relations, how they are formed and what their consequences are.
Sociologists observe how people relate to one another, why they behave in
similar or different ways, and how individual actions are linked to collective
actions. We look at how cultures develop, how organizations function or don’t,
how states and public policies shape ordinary people’s lives, and how culture,
politics, and economics come together.
It is the broadest of all
social science disciplines, as all spheres of social life – cultural, economic,
and political – are open to sociological inquiry. Students learn to analyse
social conditions that impact human lives, and confront difficult issues such
as migration, poverty and inequalities, the climate crisis, ethnic relations,
the changing face of religiosity, shifts in family forms, aging, mental health,
welfare regimes and social policies, and science and technological disruptions.
The curriculum in the
four-year direct honours NTU Sociology programme emphasises critical thinking,
theoretical reasoning, empirical research, and communication skills. Students
develop the ability to think through complex issues, investigate them
empirically, and go beyond conventional wisdom – abilities essential to
organisations and vocations today.
Who
should become a Sociology major?
Consider a Sociology major if
you are especially interested in exploring different ways to look at and talk
about social, political, and economic issues, and in reconsidering things that
are taken for granted. The ethos of this discipline is that rigorous research
and empirical knowledge of the world can contribute to solving its problems.
No prior experience with
sociological training is needed before you enter. Our students come in with
diverse experiences and training, some from the sciences, some from the arts,
some from business or other specialized areas.
We welcome applicants with:
• Strong reading, critical thinking, and writing
skills
• An active interest in current affairs, both within
Singapore and internationally
• Strong ‘A’ level or Polytechnic results
• O-level Elementary Mathematics (required) – this is necessary
for the compulsory Social Statistics
component of our programme
Students of any nationality are welcome.
What
can I do with a Sociology degree?
Our
graduates go onto a wide range of sectors and many different types of jobs:
-
Civil service and public administration
- Management (including human resources and corporate communications)
- Education and training
- Media (including public relations, advertising and journalism)
- Business and marketing
- Financial and insurance sector
- Creative industries (including the arts, arts management, heritage, design)
- Non-profit and social service sector
At NTU Sociology, we focus on
training students in core skills and competencies that are important in every
workplace. These include pitching novel perspectives and ideas, knowing how to
take initiative, and adapting to fast-changing conditions. We train our
students to think dynamically, to not only look for answers in the usual places
but to also know how to ask new questions. We provide opportunities to craft
questions and arguments—both in writing and speech—and to work collaboratively
in teams. We also provide research training in both qualitative and quantitative
methods.
In today’s workplace, most people
will have many different jobs in their careers. The ability to acquire new
skills is crucial. We believe the culture at NTU fosters this, helping students
to evaluate things critically, and cultivate an openness to challenging
themselves in areas they find unfamiliar or even uncomfortable.
An NTU Honours degree in
Sociology also enables you to pursue graduate-level studies in the social
sciences or other relevant fields such as business, law, and government. Entry
requirements for such programmes are established by the respective
universities.
NTU offers career development support through the
Career & Attachment Office (CAO), which provides services such as career
coaching. We encourage our students to use the university’s resources to
prepare for transitioning from their educational to their career journeys.
What
can I expect of the curriculum?
Note: Full details of
courses and requirements are available in the SSS Undergraduate Prospectus or
on www.sss.ntu.edu.sg.
Students will take compulsory
core courses and choose from a range of elective courses. In the
final year, many also complete a Graduation Project (see below).
The
core courses provide foundational training in how sociologists frame
questions about the social world. Students learn about the methodologies
sociologists use in empirical research and receive training in both qualitative
and quantitative methods. These courses teach skills in critical thinking and
communicating complex ideas. They also expose students to a range of
interesting social, political, and economic phenomena in Singapore and
elsewhere.
The elective courses deal with
specific substantive topics in greater depth. Some examples of these courses
include Environmental Sustainability; Population and Society; Ethnicity and
Ethnic Relations; Social Policy and Social Change; Sociology of Mental Health;
Social Class and Inequality.
Faculty
at NTU Sociology have active research pursuits in a wide range of areas, such
as: climate change and the environment; migration and social integration; urban
sustainability; social forces shaping science and technology; ageing and mental
health; demographic changes and the sociology of the family; social policy and
state power; gender, class, and ethnoracial inequalities; political economy of
land and food; religion and religiosity; pop culture and social psychology.
Our
courses are therefore taught by people who are passionate about and specialists
in many areas of study.
Can I complete the programme in fewer
than four years?
Yes,
it is possible to complete the degree programme in three and a half years.
Will I receive any
exemptions as a Polytechnic graduate?
Successful
applicants with Polytechnic training may be exempted from certain courses. A
review of transcripts will be done and exemptions confirmed before the start of
the first semester.
What is the Graduation Project?
In
order to fulfill Graduations requirements, student either undertake a
Graduation Project or two additional 4000-level seminars.
The
Graduation Project (GP) is a major project typically undertaken in the fourth
year of study. Students may pursue the GP as a solo project or in teams. With
the support of a faculty advisor, students craft research questions, design
research methods, collect data, and analyse and write up a thesis.
-
Students with CGPA of 3.90 and above must complete the GP.
- Those with CGPA between 3.75 and 3.90 may opt in to do the GP, subject to approval by the division.
- Students with CGPA below 3.75 will not be allowed to conduct the GP.
The GP is compulsory for those
seeking to obtain Honours (Highest Distinction) / First Class or Honours
(Distinction) / Second Class Upper Honours.
Students who do not pursue a GP will
instead take two additional 4000-level courses.
Are
there any opportunities for overseas exchange?
We
believe in supporting students in bridging international and intellectual
borders.
The Global
Education and Mobility (GEM) Explorer programme allows students
to take courses in an overseas partner institution for one full semester,
without paying additional tuition fees. This programme is offered at over 150
partner universities, across more than 25 countries. Students can build a global
network, develop global perspectives and connect with different people in
diverse cultures.
The GEM
Discoverer Work and Study programme presents students with
different work/study/research options with leading companies and partner
universities in Asia, Europe, and North America. This programme gives students
a deeper understanding of the unique cultures, entrepreneurial spirit, and
vitality of some of the world’s most dynamic economies.
The GEM
Discoverer Summer Studies programme allows undergraduates
to travel overseas during their summer break for four to six weeks while
earning academic credit. Students in this programme join a prestigious overseas
university in Asia, Europe, or the Americas, and participate in programmes that
are related to academic coursework, cultural immersion, or language
instruction.
What
opportunities are there for internships?
Our Professional Attachment
(PA) programme is designed to encourage students to gain exposure to the
working world, explore their career interests and goals, and prepare for the job
market, through internships.
The university works with
employers to facilitate placements in a wide range of industries/sectors.
Students may also source for internship placements themselves.
Professional Attachments are
typically 10 weeks long and usually undertaken at the end of Year 3. On
successful completion, students are awarded Academic Units (AUs). Students are
also awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment jointly signed by the Director,
Career and Attachment Office (CAO) and the organisation's authorised
representative.
We also encourage students to
take other non-credit bearing internships to explore possible career options.
Can
I pursue Sociology as a major alongside a second major, or a minor?
Students who would like to
develop greater depth of study in an additional discipline may pursue a second
major within the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Upon
graduation, students will receive a degree in their first major. The second major
will be shown on the final transcript and students will receive an additional
certificate.
What are the criteria for pursuing a
second major?
• CGPA of 4.0 and above after Year 1
• Meet basic admissions requirements of second major
• Subject to available positions
Do I have to pay additional fees if I am
enrolled into a second major?
No, you do not have to pay any
additional fees if you complete your degree within 4 years.