Undergraduate
Sociology
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- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
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- Peterborough & Durham GTA
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- Paid Co-op Available
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Humanities & Social Sciences (Arts)
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Campus Peterborough Durham GTA
- Work Experience Paid Co-op Available
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes RSO - Peterborough RSB - Peterborough co-op ROS - Durham GTA
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Gain hands-on research experience and learn from experts in social justice, law, healthcare, aging, sexuality, and popular culture while exploring the forces that shape society.
Explore the social issues shaping today's world through a degree program that combines academic inquiry with real-world application. In Sociology at Trent, you'll examine topics ranging from healthcare and migration to crime, punishment, gender, and social change while developing the skills to conduct research, analyze complex issues, and communicate ideas effectively.
- Paid co-op opportunities that allow you to apply your learning in professional settings and graduate with valuable workplace experience.
- Leading researchers and educators, including Trent's Canada Research Chair in Community-Partnered Social Justice.
- Community-based research opportunities that connect academic inquiry with real-world issues and social change.
- Specializations in Black Studies, Health Studies, Social Justice & Equity Studies, and Socio-Legal Studies that allow you to tailor your degree to your interests.
- Fourth-year honours thesis opportunities that provide advanced research experience and a strong foundation for graduate studies and professional programs.
Program Possibilites
Specialize your studies in Sociology with a focus on a specific field within your degree
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Black Studies
Explore the histories, identities, and lived realities of Black communities in Canada and around the world through this impactful and empowering specialization. In this specialization (exclusive to our Durham GTA campus in Oshawa) study resistance movements, intersectionality, and systemic oppression while engaging with communities to create positive change. Through collaborations with scholars, creatives and change-makers in the Black Life and Community Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) Lab, you’ll gain hands-on experience in community-engaged research and activism. With a strong understanding of how to build a more equitable and just society, you will be prepared for careers in public policy, education, law, and beyond.
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Health Studies
This specialization features courses that focus on conceptualizations of health, illness and disease, social determinants of health, income security, Indigenous health, and the intersections of gender and health. You will explore such topics as the organization of and current “crisis” in Canadian health care, relationships between and among health professional groups, “alternative” health care, and the pharmaceutical industry. You will also have opportunities for a research practicum supervised by faculty members and/or independent research through an honours thesis.
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Social Justice & Equity Studies
Become an agent of change with this specialization that broadens your understanding of social inequalities surrounding gender, race, disability, age, class and sexuality. In this specialization, you will gain insight into issues impacting inclusivity in communities and workplaces at home and around the world, as you carve a career in activism, social justice, policing, or human resources.
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Socio-Legal Studies
This standout specialization examines the study of crime and punishment, the influences of social inequality, and the treatment of criminals and victims in the justice system. You’ll apply your sociological knowledge by performing independent research on homelessness, the criminalization of women, restorative justice or the impact on Indigenous peoples.
Add an Option to your Sociology degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Legal Studies
Understanding the legal system in Canada is valuable for everyone, not just lawyers and policy makers. A complement to virtually any B.A. or B.Sc. degree, this option provides students with fundamental knowledge about Canadian law. You’ll learn about rights and freedoms, what it takes to draft and pass new laws, and how the law influences and is influenced by society and culture.
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Global Power & Politics
The most urgent political problems of our time pose fundamental moral problems that require not only goodwill and commitment, but a deep understanding of the mechanisms of global power and politics. This option is designed to enable you to develop a critical understanding of the formal, informal, visible and hidden structures of power in the global age and the mechanisms that propel global power and politics.
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Digital Humanities
Electronic media has become an integral part of how we view and explore the world. Through this new option you will bring a human-centred perspective to the innovations that continue to transform our shared digital landscape.
Working alongside Trent’s world-renowned faculty, including Canada Research Chairs, you will gain a deeper understanding of how digital tools are applied to solve research problems, and how research within the humanities impacts developments in the digital world.
Career experience while you learn
Every Sociology student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Paid Co-op Available
- Graduate with paid work experience completing three 12–16-week work terms in the summer of years two and three, and the fall of year four, all as part of your four-year degree.
- Work in community development, policy analysis, social services, and other industries.
Research Opportunities
- Work with faculty experts on research exploring 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, workplace cultures, prisoners’ rights, Black health equity and other pressing social issues.
- Conduct your own research through research practica, reading courses or a fourth-year honours thesis, and share your work at Trent’s Sociology Research Symposium.
- Earn academic credit through community-based research, working with local organizations to create social change.
Study Abroad
- Take your Trent education global. Spend a semester or year studying at one of Trent’s 50+ international partner universities, participate in a summer field course, or gain international experience through a placement or internship.
- With opportunities in more than 35 countries, you can broaden your academic perspective, experience new cultures, and build skills that prepare you for a global career.
Internships
- Gain professional workplace experience working within a business or organization on a paid internship, building career-ready skills, making industry connections, and exploring potential career paths.
Career Paths
- Social and Market Research
- Market Research Analyst
- Public Relations Specialist
- Risk Analyst
- Community Outreach Manager
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | 70-75% | 80-85% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
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| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students