Sociology, the social science that studies human societies, interactions, and the processes that preserve and change them, is one of the most fascinating academic subjects. In Europe, several well-known universities offer students the chance to engage with the field through courses, undergraduate programs, graduate programs, and doctoral research. In this article, we will discuss top European universities for students interested in studying sociology!
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 offers courses in sociology and human geography. At the bachelor’s level, students can take courses offered by the department as part of their studies.
Beyond bachelor’s-level courses, the department lists a Master’s in Human Geography, and the Faculty of Social Sciences offers doctoral education through its Ph.D. program. These options help students build research, analytical, and communication skills while working with topics closely connected to sociology and human geography.
The University of Oslo is a respected sociology institution in Europe and performs well in global rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, the University of Oslo is ranked =131 globally. Prospective students should review the current course catalog to confirm which courses are available in English each semester.
2. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
With roots going back to 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 social sciences programs at KU Leuven, students can gain valuable skills that may improve their career prospects in this challenging field. Graduates can leave with a strong grounding in social science theory, research methods, time management, and persuasive writing.
The Faculty of Social Sciences is home to the university’s various social science programs. One notable bachelor’s option is the Bachelor of European Studies, an interdisciplinary program that focuses on European societies, values, institutions, and European integration.
There is an even broader range of degrees available at the master’s and Ph.D. levels. Programs and courses in sociology, social and cultural anthropology, digital media and society, and international politics are among the options for prospective graduate students.
3. University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam, whose predecessor institution was founded in 1632, remains one of the most important universities in the Netherlands and a top university for sociology in Europe. With over 44,000 students, the university is one of the largest broad-based research universities in Europe.
Sociology study options are available at multiple levels. For students at the bachelor’s level, there are sociology-related programs and courses that teach the fundamentals of the subject. Meanwhile, more specialized options are available at the master’s level, including courses and research areas connected to cultural, political, and urban sociology. The Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research also supports Ph.D. candidates in the social sciences.
When it comes to global rankings, the University of Amsterdam has performed very well. The university is ranked 62nd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and 60th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
4. Free University of Berlin
With a strong reputation in Germany and abroad, the Free University of Berlin (in German, Freie Universität Berlin) is one of the most important universities in Germany and among the best schools for sociology in Europe. For students interested in studying sociology, FU Berlin is one of the leading options in Germany.
The Institute of Sociology offers the 60-credit bachelor’s module Global Sociology, which is studied in German as part of a combined bachelor’s degree, as well as the research-oriented Master of Sociology – European Societies, which can be studied in English. The master’s program introduces students to sociological theories and methods of research before they take part in a research placement and write a thesis. With this range of teaching and research methods, the program is one of the most well-rounded options discussed in this article.
Doctoral candidates can also pursue sociology through the Department of Political and Social Sciences’ doctoral procedures. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Freie Universität Berlin is ranked =98 globally.
5. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is one of the most famous universities in the world and is considered by many to be one of the best in Europe. According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, Oxford is ranked 4th in the world, behind MIT, Imperial College London, and Stanford University.
The Department of Sociology offers several excellent options for students interested in sociology. At the undergraduate level, students do not study a standalone sociology degree, but they can study sociology as part of three interdisciplinary degrees: Human Sciences; Philosophy, Politics and Economics; and History and Politics. At the master’s and doctoral levels, students can pursue more in-depth studies of sociology through programs such as the MSc in Sociology, MPhil in Sociology and Demography, and DPhil in Sociology, with topics including inequality, demography, political sociology, gender, crime, and computational methods.
6. London School of Economics and Political Science
One of the best-known social science institutions in the world, the London School of Economics and Political Science is connected with 21 Nobel Prize winners in Peace, Economics, and Literature. LSE’s Department of Sociology is also highly regarded, with research strengths in areas such as economic sociology, politics and human rights, social inequalities, knowledge, culture and technology, and urban sociology.
For students interested in studying sociology, the Department of Sociology offers excellent options at all levels. Of particular note is the broad range of sociology-related degrees at the master’s level. From political sociology to international migration and city design, the department covers a wide range of topics that may be of interest to prospective sociology students. Upon completion of a master’s program, students can also choose to progress into one of LSE’s doctoral programs in sociology or related areas.
7. University of Copenhagen
The Department of Sociology at the University of Copenhagen offers degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The BSc and MSc programs in Sociology are taught in Danish, while a broad range of courses are offered in English each semester at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. At these levels, students can build foundational and advanced knowledge of sociological theory and methods, including quantitative and qualitative approaches.
The University of Copenhagen is one of the top institutions for sociology in Europe and is ranked as one of the best universities in the world. According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, the university is ranked =90 globally.
With all this in mind, there are many 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 the Best Sociology Schools in Europe was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
