Social Studies BA (Hons)
About Course:
The Applied Social Studies degree offers a flexible and customizable learning experience, equipping you with highly sought-after skills that employers value. This comprehensive program examines the complexities of individual experiences, community dynamics, and professional environments, with a focus on addressing the challenges faced by at-risk individuals and groups in society. It also explores the critical role of policies, legal frameworks, cultural influences, and institutional contexts in shaping these issues.
After completing a foundational first year, you can tailor your studies to focus on areas such as child and adult services, criminal justice, welfare systems, disability advocacy, community care, public health, inter-agency collaboration, globalization, and legal studies.
What sets this course apart?
This degree emphasizes practical skills applicable to a wide range of human services, including management, communication, and multi-agency collaboration. You’ll delve into areas influenced by cutting-edge research in social work and development, including topics like human trafficking, youth offending, and the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. The program cultivates essential abilities in communication, teamwork, and research, while allowing you to explore specific interests such as children and families, crime, healthcare, disability, aging populations, and global policy issues.
The course fosters a broad perspective, adaptable expertise, and human-centered values, preparing you to stand out to future employers in a competitive job market.
Research-Informed Curriculum:
The curriculum is shaped by groundbreaking research from renowned institutions like the Vauxhall Centre for the Study of Crime and The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence, and Trafficking. The latter has earned global recognition, including the prestigious Queen’s Award, for its pioneering work in combating child sexual exploitation.
A Global Perspective:
This program goes beyond national borders, addressing social challenges and policy responses on an international scale. It promotes a comprehensive understanding of interventions across the diverse spectrum of human services, preparing graduates to make a meaningful impact both locally and globally.
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
The assessment strategy is designed to showcase your knowledge and skills through a variety of methods. These include written assignments, such as essays and reports, as well as group conferences, poster presentations, and individual presentations.
Presentations are specifically aimed at building your confidence and preparing you to present effectively in diverse settings. Practicing these skills in a supportive environment will help you develop a key employability asset.
Additionally, you will complete in-class tests and two exams—one in your first year and another in your third year—providing opportunities to demonstrate your ability to perform under pressure.
The majority of assessments, however, will focus on written assignments. These allow you to delve deeply into the subject matter, conduct thorough research, and construct evidence-based arguments, enabling you to explore topics in depth and refine your analytical skills.
We evaluate each applicant as an individual, considering all aspects of your application—not just your qualifications. We value both the breadth and depth of your current studies, as well as your enthusiasm for the subject you wish to pursue.
This means the entry requirements differ from previous years, but the grades you need to achieve remain unchanged. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- A minimum of 80 UCAS points, including at least 64 points from two A-level passes at grade C or higher.
- A minimum of 80 points, with at least 64 points from Merits in two BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas or one BTEC Diploma.
- A minimum of 80 points, with Merit, Merit, Pass in a BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Completion of an Access to Higher Education Diploma.
- Equivalent qualifications, such as the Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate, or CACHE Level 3 awards.
We aim to recognize your unique strengths and potential, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation of every application.
How will this course enhance my career prospects?
The BA (Hons) Applied Social Studies degree offers a flexible curriculum that can be customized to align with your interests, helping to boost your career prospects. This program equips you with a diverse skill set and fosters critical personal development, both of which are highly valued in today’s workforce.