Social Studies BA (Hons)
About the course
A degree you can tailor to your interests, while enhancing your career prospects – employers value the transferable skills gained by Applied Social Studies graduates.
Gain a deep understanding of the lives of individuals, communities and workplaces, the issues faced by vulnerable individuals and groups in our society, and the policy, legal, cultural and organisational contexts.
After a foundation in the first year, choose specific areas like: children and adult services, criminal justice, welfare systems, disability issues, community care, public health, multi-agency working, globalisation and the law.
Why choose this course?
- Learn practical skills relevant to a wide range of human services work including management practice, communication and multi-agency working
- Study areas informed by research at the forefront of social work and development, including trafficking studies, youth offending vulnerable social groups
- Gain knowledge and skills in communication, team-working and research
- Explore your choice of areas such as children and families, crime, health care, disability, older people and global policy issues
- Benefit from a course which helps you develop breadth of mind, transferable knowledge
- and skills and humanistic values – all of which will help you attract potential employers
This course draws on world-leading research from both the Vauxhall Centre for the Study of Crime and The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking, recently awarded the Queen’s Award for pioneering research into child sexual exploitation.
The course covers both national and global social issues and policy responses and interventions across the human services.
What will I learn?
Units
- Law, Society And Controversy Compulsory
- Skills For The Social Sciences Compulsory
- The Sociology Of Modern Britain Compulsory
- Understanding The Human Services Compulsory
- Exploring The Social Sciences Compulsory
- Multi-Agency Working Compulsory
- Researching, Representing And Evidencing The Social World Compulsory
- The Social Sciences At Work Compulsory
- Mental Health And Society Optional
- Refugees, Displacement And The Polictics Of Migration Optional
- Studies In ‘Race’ And Ethnicity Optional
- Young People, Gangs And Group Offending Optional
- Ideas And Issues In Globalization Compulsory
- Independent Project In Social Studies Compulsory
- Childhoods In Global Context Optional
- Comparative Youth Justice: Models And Approaches Optional
- Inclusion And Exclusion In Education Optional
- Innovations In The Human Services Optional
- Leadership And Management In The Human Services Optional
- Safeguarding Across The Lifespan Optional
How will I be assessed?
The assessment strategy is designed to allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and abilities through a range of different assessments.
You will undertake written assignments – essays and reports – as well as participating in group conferences, poster presentations, and presentations.
These presentations are designed to build your confidence and become accustomed to presenting yourself in a variety of settings. Being able to practice these skills in a supportive environment will develop this essential employability skill.
You will also have in-class tests and two examinations – one in the first year and one in the third year – to allow you to demonstrate and record your ability to work under pressure.
However, the weight of assessments are written assignments and these allow you to explore the subject in depth through detailed research and construct an argument based on the evidence you gain in preparing the assignment.
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
This means the points you will be asked for are different to previous years but the grades you receive have not changed. At least 80 points with 64 points from 2 A level passes at C or above At least 80 points with 64 from Merit in two BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas or one BTEC Diploma At least 80 points with Merit Merit Pass in the BTEC Extended Diploma A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
How will this course enhance my career prospects?
The BA (Hons) Applied Social Studies degree can be tailored to your interests to enhance your career prospects. The range of skills and levels of personal enquiry achieved are deemed essential in the world of work.