Honours

Outstanding students registered in the third year of the Sociology major program may apply for admission to the Honours program for their fourth year.

Admission Requirements

  • 75% or greater standing in 100-level Sociology courses and 68% or greater average in all 200-level courses
  • 80% or greater average in all 300- and 400- level Sociology courses and 75% or greater average in all 300- and 400- level courses.

In preparation for the fourth year of study in the Honours program, students are encouraged to arrange for an Honours thesis supervisor by the end of the third year or during the summer preceding the fourth year. The formal application process normally occurs prior to the beginning of the fourth year.

New curriculum incoming

Please note that starting in 2021W new degree requirements will take effect for the Honours in Sociology, Major in Sociology, Minor in Sociology and Minor in Family Studies programs. This will only take effect for students who declare their specialization in 2021 and does not affect students who have previously declared their specialization.
Degree Requirements

The program requires that students complete the following

Lower-level Requirements:

  • 3 credits of introductory sociology (from SOCI 100, 101, 102)
  • 3 credits of SOCI 217 Research Methods
  • 6 additional credits of 100/200-level SOCI courses

Upper-level Requirements

  • 3 credits of SOCI 310 Canadian Society
  • 3 credits of SOCI 328 Social Statistics I
  • 3 credits of classical sociological theory (from *SOCI 370, SOCI 371)
  • 3 credits of contemporary sociological theory (from *SOCI 370, SOCI 372, SOCI 414, SOCI 415, SOCI 416, SOCI 469)
  • 3 credits of advanced research methods (from SOCI 380, SOCI 381, SOCI 382, SOCI 383)
  • 6 credits of SOCI 449 Honours Tutorial
  • 27 additional credits of 300 and/or 400-level SOCI courses, of which at least 6 credits must be at the 400-level

*SOCI 370 is a 6-credit course that covers both classical sociological theory and contemporary sociological theory.

For degree requirements for all UBC Sociology programs, click here. 

Discover our course curriculum and course overviews.
Keep track of your courses by completing the Sociology Honours Credit Worksheet and bringing it to your advising meetings.

Application Process

Steps to apply

Students who would like to pursue an Honours degree in Sociology should complete the following steps prior to their final year of study.

  1. Calculate your GPA using the Sociology Honours Credit Worksheet.
  2. If you meet the GPA requirements for the Honours program, find a full-time faculty member in the Department of Sociology who is willing to serve as your Honours Thesis Supervisor.
  3. Prepare a thesis proposal in consultation with your Honours Thesis Supervisor.
  4. Submit the Honours Application Form by August 1st (or earlier). Your application must include:
    • Grade Summary
    • Thesis Proposal
    • Proposed Reading List
  5. You will be contacted directly by the undergraduate advisor once your application is approved.

Steps after acceptance

  1. As soon as your Honours application is approved you will be registered into SOCI 449 (6) Honours Tutorial by the undergraduate advisor. Please make sure that you leave enough credit space to be registered in SOCI 449.
  2. The departmental deadline for submitting the thesis to your Honours Thesis Supervisor is March 30th.
  3. Once your thesis has been graded, the final grade/percentage will be reported by your Honours Thesis Supervisor to the undergraduate advisor and then entered into the SSC.
  4. Please send an electronic copy of the final version of your thesis to soci.ugrad@ubc.ca. Your thesis will be archived in the department. You may also wish to submit your thesis to cIRcle UBC.

Guidelines for Sociology 449 Honours Thesis

Students enrolled in the Sociology Honours program must complete a Sociology Honours Thesis.

Honours thesis details

Although its length will vary with topic and research mode, normally this essay will be between 50 and 80 pages. It is expected to contain a measure of originality and to make a contribution to the field. The essay should be a focused piece of scholarship while at the same time demonstrating general knowledge of a sociological area.

The proposal should include a 2-3 page statement of the essay’s topic and objectives, a working bibliography, and a timetable. Prospective students are encouraged to begin discussion of this project with their Honours Thesis Supervisor several months ahead of this deadline.

Students will meet on a regular basis with their Honours Thesis Supervisor to discuss progress on their essay. It is recommended that students submit sections or chapters of their essay for feedback from their supervisor as the course progresses.

The deadline for submission of the final thesis to your Honours Thesis Supervisor is March 30th.

Students who would like to pursue an Honours degree in sociology should start planning during the summer before their fourth year.

Ready to apply?
Be sure you have carefully reviewed the instructions and prepared all components of your application before proceeding.

Note: Please see the undergraduate advisor to clarify your program requirements, especially if one of the following pertains to you:

  1. You have sociology transfer credits, or
  2. You have completed an introductory statistics course other than SOCI 328.
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