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Social Sciences at University of the West of Scotland - UCAS

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

OVERVIEW The UWS BA (Hons) in Social Sciences focuses on the central themes of social justice, power and inequalities. The first two years of this degree equip you with a firm grounding in the essential disciplines of politics, policy and sociology. Thereafter you can specialise your studies through the selection of a number of optional modules according to your career preferences. The suite comprises: // BA (Hons) Social Sciences - both campuses // BA (Hons) Social Sciences (Politics & Policy) - Paisley Campus // BA (Hons) Social Sciences (Sociology & Policy) - Paisley Campus // BA (Hons) Social Sciences (Sociology) - Lanarkshire Campus The specialist pathways provide you with the opportunity for in-depth exploration of social issues such as health, migration, development, international relations, gender, nationalism and welfare. By studying social sciences, you will investigate social and political change, explore both how we understand society and how we can change it for the better. You will investigate the driving forces behind and potential solutions to complex local and global challenges in society, using a range of theoretical lenses and research methods. You will also develop your critical thinking alongside a wide range of research and transferable skills that are highly valued by the public, private and voluntary sectors. CAREER PROSPECTS Jobs Graduating with a BA Social Sciences will enhance your core cognitive, interpersonal and communication skills, knowledge and competences. Graduates have gone on to work in the public, private, and third sectors in areas including: politics, working for or even as elected representatives; contributing their skills to public services industries, such as housing and planning; working in health and social care; undertaking employment in the private sector; and, following conversion courses, teaching in primary and secondary schools. Further Study Graduates from this courses may be able to undertake further study at master's level study in areas such as: International Politics, Social Policy, Applied Social Science, Policy Analysis; International Development; International Relations; Global Governance; Public Administration etc.

Modules

In Year 1, you will be introduced to social science disciplines by developing your ‘sociology imagination’ and understandings of the key issues in modern society such as social class, gender identity and gender inequality, masculinity, health and race and ethnicity. You will also be introduced to research and academic skills and competences. You will also learn about the world of social sciences research and will be introduced to the study of politics as well as the critical role of policy in supporting employment, health and education. In Year 2, you will deepen your engagement with the key debates in social sciences. Core modules will equip you with knowledge of comparative politics and the classical works of social and political thought, global society and will focus on the relationship between social policy and social change. You will also develop your qualitative and qauntitative research skills and knowledge. In Year 3 you can choose a specialst pathway. Apporporiate modules will be selected and your studies will be augmented by further develoiping your research skills in order to help you design your disseration for Year 4. In your final year of study, you will undertake your independent research project (a 40-credit dissertation). You will be supported by staff in using the methods skills that you have developed throughout the course to explore, in depth, the programme theme that has most interested you. In addition, you will increase the range of your specialist knowledge by choosing from a variety of electives.

Assessment method

The BA (Hons) Social Sciences degree suite embraces a variety of formative and summative assessments, ranging from traditional exams and essays to case studies, group and individual presentations, real life scenarios (e.g. policy briefs, research proposals) or policy analysis and evaluation.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Year 2 Entry: SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Social Sciences; Social Studies with B in Graded Unit SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Social Sciences; Social Studies Year 3 Entry: SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Social Sciences; Social Studies with BB in Graded Unit

International applicants

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) Access to Humanities; Access to Social Sciences; Access to Law, Criminal Justice & Social Sciences; Access to Primary Education Entry to Year 2 with Glasgow University Access Course with grades BB

Minimum Qualification Requirements


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component.
Cambridge English Advanced176 overall with no sub-test less than 169
Cambridge English Proficiency176 overall with no sub-test less than 169
Trinity ISEPassISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
PTE Academic54An overall score of 54 with no element below 51
TOEFL (iBT)78no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.

UWS's English language requirements

https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9250* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250* Year 1
Wales £9250* Year 1
Channel Islands £9250* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250* Year 1
EU £15250* Year 1
International £15250* Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS: Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS. TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS: Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years. TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS: These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details). ADDITIONAL COSTS: The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career. In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory. Check the course entry on our website for more more information.

Sponsorship information

Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships

Social Sciences at University of the West of Scotland - UCAS