Sociology, defined as the study of human society and its development, is one of the most fascinating academic subjects. In Europe, several world-famous universities offer students the chance to engage with the field through all levels of study. In this article, we will discuss 7 of the very best European universities for students interested in studying sociology!
What are the 3 schools of sociology?
There are multiple schools of sociology that tend to specialize in their directions, but three of the most famous ones are structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict perspective. These schools are the most famous ones because their fundamentalist fathers raised these schools and theories based on solid foundations and research. Most of the schools in Europe offer these courses for both domestic and international students so that they can increase their educational level. We currently do not have information on these courses, but you can find other information on all the available courses on our website.
Top Sociology Schools in Europe
1. University of Oslo
Located in the capital city of Norway, The Department of Sociology and Human Geography at the University of Oslo is home to many great programs available at all levels. For bachelor’s students, several courses can be taken as part of a larger degree, such as courses in the Nordic Model, economic globalization, and migration.
Beyond a bachelor’s degree, the university offers the Master of Human Geography and a Ph.D. in social science. Both of these degrees give students the chance to improve their research and communication skills, while also touching on important topics in sociology.
The University of Oslo is an excellent sociology institution in Europe and performs well on global rankings. Today, the University of Oslo is ranked 102nd by the QS World University Rankings. Prospective students can be confident that they are learning from the best at this world-famous institution.
2. KU Leuven
With roots going back as far as 1425, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (more commonly known as KU Leuven) is one of the oldest and most highly-respected institutions in Belgium and an excellent school for sociology in Europe.
By taking part in any of the programs we will discuss below, students will gain vital skills that will improve their career prospects in this challenging field. Graduates will leave with a strong grounding in the theories of sociology, as well as many practical skills, such as the ability to research complex topics, manage their time, and write persuasively.
The Faculty of Social Sciences is home to the university’s various sociology programs. One of the newest programs in the university is the Bachelor of European Studies, a degree focusing on the sociology of European integration.
There is an even broader range of degrees available at the master’s and Ph.D. levels. Courses in cultural anthropology, digital media, and international politics make up just a few of the options for prospective master’s students.
3. University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam, founded in 1632, remains one of the most important universities in the Netherlands and a top university for sociology in Europe. With over 41,000 students, the university is easily the largest in the country.
Sociology degrees are available at all levels. For students at the bachelor’s level, there are several sociology programs available that teach students the fundamentals of this subject. Meanwhile, more specialized degrees are available at the master’s level, including programs that focus on cultural and urban sociology.
When it comes to global rankings, the University of Amsterdam has performed incredibly well. Today, the university is ranked by the Times Higher Education Rankings as the 65th best in the world.
4. Freie Universität Berlin
With over 30,000 students, the Free University of Berlin (in German, the Freie Universität Berlin) is one of the most important colleges in Germany and among the best schools for sociology in Europe. For students interested in studying sociology, FU Berlin is one of the best options in Germany.
While the university does not offer a specific sociology degree at the undergraduate level, the Master of Sociology – European Societies is one of the best programs in the country. In this program, students will learn about sociological theories and methods of research before taking part in a research placement and writing a thesis. With such a diverse range of teaching methods, this program is one of the most well-rounded we will discuss in this article.
5. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is one of the most famous universities in the world and is considered by many as the best in Europe. According to the QS World University rankings, this is the case. As of today, only MIT rates higher than the University of Oxford on global rankings.
The Department of Sociology offers several excellent degrees for students interested in sociology. At an undergraduate level, students can study sociology as part of several interdisciplinary degrees. While at a master’s and Ph.D. level, students will perform more in-depth studies of sociology, including topics such as crime, quantitative methods, and demography.
6. London School of Economics and Political Science
Quite possibly the most well-known school of social sciences in the world, the London School of Economics and Political Science is famous for producing 18 Nobel Laureates in a variety of fields. The quality of teaching at the LSE is matched only by the best universities in the world.
For students interested in studying sociology, the Department of Sociology offers several excellent options for sociology at all levels in Europe. Of particular note is the vast range of sociology degrees at the master’s level. From political sociology, international migration, and city design, the department covers a wide range of topics that may be of interest to prospective students of sociology. Upon completion of any of these programs, students can choose to progress into one of the many excellent Ph.D. programs offered by the LSE.
7. University of Copenhagen
The Department of Sociology at the University of Copenhagen offers a broad range of courses between the bachelor, master’s, and doctoral levels. At the bachelor’s level, students will learn foundational sociological theories, as well as practice quantitative and qualitative analysis of topics that interest them. These topics will form the foundation of the graduate’s education and will be built upon should they choose to take a postgraduate with the university.
The University of Copenhagen is one of the top institutions for sociology in Europe and is ranked as one of the best in the world. According to the QS World University Rankings, the college is ranked as the 81st best university in the world.
With all this in mind, there are a huge number of excellent universities in Europe that are well worth exploring if you wish to study this exciting subject on the European continent.
We hope that this article on Best Sociology Schools in the World was helpful. If you are interested in learning more about topics like this and about studying abroad, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
