The Graduate Degree in Sociology at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Porto was born in 1985 and, since 2007/2008, it has been part of the European space of higher education, integrating the principles of the Bologna Process.

The 1st cycle of studies in Sociology allows you to acquire initial training in Sociology and a well-founded knowledge of other Social and Human Sciences.

The degree in Sociology at the University of Porto proposes a solid and in-depth learning of the principles and dynamics of the functioning of contemporary societies, supported by an excellent teaching staff recognized nationally and internationally. We promote informed learning of the world we live in, supported by quality sociological research.

We guide our teaching-learning process towards a questioning and critical reflection on the contemporary world and towards an intervention plan in order to promote social transformation.

Sociology analyzes social phenomena and proposes to intervene in a critical way on social reality, supporting decision-making, proposing alternatives and promoting citizenship and social participation.

What can I expect from a degree in sociology? | What professional roles can sociologists play?
How does sociology help us understand the world? | These are questions answered here in an excerpt from the video  "Sociology in action: Ways of seeing and doing Sociology in Portugal" of the Portuguese Sociological Association (APS).

Sociologists have a wide range of professional opportunities in different work contexts.

Some of them are as follows:

• Companies and Organizations (NGOs, IPSS and associations, museums…):
• managing and developing human resources;
• planning and providing professional training;
• integrating teams of surveys and marketing studies;
• implementing and monitoring new forms of work organization;
• participating in quality management;
• mediating social and organizational conflicts.
• Central public administration (universities, schools, hospitals,…), municipalities and local/sectorial development associations where we operate in:
• urban, environmental and local intervention;
• requalification and management of cultural heritage;
• integration into marketing and advertising teams;
• the development of sociocultural mediation processes;
• promotion of inter-institutional networks;
• cultural animation;
• the development of social policies, namely in projects to fight poverty and social exclusion;
• the development of inclusion strategies for disadvantaged social groups and social reintegration;
• school administration, hospital administration, employment and education/training policies;
• various levels of education/training.
• Research and development centers, with research activities, including, for example:
• information analysis;
• bibliographic analysis;
• field work;
• social diagnosis;
• impact assessment and monitoring of social intervention programs;
• social development plans;
• the social consultancy;
• elaboration of recommendation for public policies.

The development and deepening of the skills acquired with a degree in Sociology are completed with postgraduate training in Sociology: the Master's in Sociology. Here you will find the necessary information - FLUP - Master in Sociology.

In the context of its academic and non-teaching activities, and articulating the theoretical and the operational aspects, the degree in Sociology develops close relationships with the Institute of Sociology of the University of Porto, the research center where research activities take place on the most diverse social topics -  Instituto de Sociologia

For other curiosities and information about what Sociology in Portugal is, you can consult the links of professional associations in Sociology – Portuguese Association of Sociology (APS) – https://aps.pt/en/home/ - and the Portuguese Association of Professionals in Industrial, Organizational and Labor Sociology (APSIOT) - http://www.apsiot.pt/index.php/apresentacao/o-que-e-a-apsiot

About the Bologna Principles, click here: Process - Frequently Questions (portuguese) | The Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area