Iscte is the leading university institution in the teaching and research of Sociology in Portugal.

As proof of this fact, the school's BSc in Sociology was classified as the best in the country in the last external evaluation, and the number of Master's and PhD theses defended in Sociology at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon is the highest among the Portuguese universities. Furthermore, the Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-IUL) is the only research centre in Sociology in the country rated as Excellent by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

The Department also pioneered the adoption of the Bologna process, having adapted all its Bachelor's, Master's and PhD courses to the new rules by 2006-2007. With its more than 40 scholars, the Department coordinates the undergraduate programme in Sociology, the PhD in Sociology, nine Master's degrees (one of which is in Sociology while the other eight are in specialized social studies in science, communication, education, family, migration, labor and health), and approximately ten postgraduate courses. The Department includes, in addition to Sociology, the field of Communication Sciences, which has a solid standing in postgraduate education.