Sociology and cultural studies
A field of study in social sciences, journalism and information
Vocational or degree?Mostly higher education1 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 29,000 finished vocational training and 331,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?59% in a matching jobof social science graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 37% (small sample).All social science fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
SociologySocial sciencesCriminologyAnthropologyCultural projectsDemographyCultural practices regarding animal parts sortingCultural practices regarding animal slaughterAfrican studiesEconomic anthropologyOccupational sciencePackaging functions+ 11 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
7 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanatology researcher | Average | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Anthropologist | Average | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Criminologist | Average | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Meat cutter | Good | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Sociologist | Average | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Police inspector | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Criminal investigator | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
927 institutions in the EU offer social science bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.