LONDON'S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
Social Sciences BSc
UCAS code: L300
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/socialsci
Social Sciences BSc
This stimulating new programme provides a
broad-based education in the social sciences
together with extensive training in mixed
research methods, essential for data analysis.
You will study at least three social science
disciplines taught at UCL, including sociology
and psychology, and gain insights into how
social science is applied to key global issues
and social policies.
Degree summary
•
The UCL Institute of Education (UCL IOE) is a world-leading school
for education and social science, ranked first in the world (QS World
University Rankings 2014).
•
You will be taught by leading researchers in the UCL Institute of
Education's Department of Social Science - with its renowned Social
Science Research Unit and Thomas Coram Research Unit - and by
other experts at UCL.
•
•
UCL is a stimulating multidisciplinary environment in which to study
the social sciences. The degree offers flexibility with over 30 optional
courses across a broad range of social science disciplines including
education, psychology, social anthropology, applied economics,
geography and politics.
On completion of this degree you will have a good understanding of
key issues in social policy together with a thorough grounding in data
analysis skills, to prepare you for employment or further study.
In year one you will take courses introducing you to some of the
theoretical fields and key thinkers in the social sciences combined with
mixed methods training in techniques of data exploration and analysis.
You will also select optional courses from other social science disciplines
taught at UCL.
In year two compulsory courses focus more intensively on social
research methods and social theory while the wide range of optional
courses available allows you to pursue your own areas of interest.
Year three combines advanced courses in social policy analysis and
social science with further optional courses. You will also undertake a
dissertation.
In all years optional courses focus on understanding social and economic
change in different areas of society and individual lives, including
education, health, the labour market, income inequality, poverty, and
public policy affecting them.
Your learning
Teaching will be delivered through lectures, theory and problem-based
seminars allowing in-depth discussion using UCL's virtual learning
environment. You will attend practical sessions to explore, discover and
analyse qualitative data (such as text from interviews, administrative
data, and visual material) and quantitative data through statistical
techniques.
The programme will be assessed through a mixture of assessments
including examinations, practical exercises, essays, individual and group
presentations and a dissertation in the final year of study.
Your career
The Social Sciences BSc provides a multidisciplinary training in modes of
reasoning, types of evidence and diverse methods of inquiry. You will
also have an opportunity to conduct an independent research project
using primary or secondary data.
This training will prepare you for a wide range of careers in the public and
private sectors and in non-governmental organisations. It will also provide
a strong social science foundation for future graduate-level study.
The first cohort of students admitted to the Social Sciences BSc is due to
graduate in 2019. Therefore, information about career destinations for
students on this programme is not yet available.
Degree structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses,
normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for
the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are
taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from
programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered
equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Compulsory courses
Introduction to Sociology
Foundations to Psychology
Social Change in Modern Society
Introduction to Social Research Methods
Discovering Quantitative and Qualitative Methods+
Optional courses
You will choose 1.5 credits of options modules from a list, which may
include the following:
Applied Economics* (A level Mathematics grade A* required)
Epidemiological Transition (or other Population Health module)
Families in Society
Ideas in Geography (or other Geography module)
Introduction to Comparative Politics (or other Politics module)
Introduction to Social Anthropology
Understanding Social Policy
Year Two
Compulsory courses
Classic and Contemporary Social Theories
Inequalities in the Life Course
Social Research: Qualitative Methods
Social Research: Quantitative Methods
Optional courses
You will choose 1.5 credits of options modules from a list, which may
include the following:
Class and Social Theory
Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Gender and Politics (or other approved Politics course)
GIS and Geodemographics
Political Geography and Geopolitics
Politics and Policy of Education
Population Studies (Anthropology)
Sociology of Childhood
Urban Geography
Welfare Politics (or other approved Politics course)
Final Year
Compulsory courses
Dissertation
Social Policy Analysis
Social Science Seminar
Optional courses
You will choose 2.0 credits of options modules from a list, which may
include the following:
Ageing
Communications and Culture (Anthropology)
Economics of the Family
Gender, Families and Work
Geo-demographics and Population Geography
Global Health Policy
Human Rights and World Politics
Language, Gender and Culture
Personality and Social Psychology
Political Geography and Geopolitics II
Politics of the European Union
Randomised Control Trials in the Social Sciences
Sociology of Education
Urban Geography
Entry requirements
A levels
A level grades
AAB
A level subjects
No specific subjects.
AS levels
For UK-based students a pass in a further subject
at AS level or equivalent is required.
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade B.
For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent
in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek,
Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL
provides opportunities to meet the foreign
language requirement following enrolment,
further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs
IB diploma
Fees
UK/EU fee
£9,000 (2016/17)
Overseas fee
£15,270 (2016/17)
Notes
Details about financial support are available at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Contacts
Contact
Professor Margaret O'Brien
L300: Admissions Tutor
Email
undergraduate-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)20 3108 4400
Prospectus entry
www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/socialsci
Key facts
IB points
36
Subjects
A score of 17 points in three higher level
subjects, with no score lower than 5.
Other qualifications
Full lists of all degree programmes and other entry requirements can be
found on our website at: www.ucl.ac.uk/otherquals
Undergraduate Preparatory
Certificates
UCL's Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive
one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic
potential, who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree
programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
Your application
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at
school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however,
applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United
Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
In your personal statement you will need to demonstrate your ability to
develop an argument, show strong written skills and independent
decision-making skills. You should also demonstrate your interest in
social change such as education, poverty, gender and other global issues
in society. Additionally you need to show that you have numeracy skills
and that you can work effectively both on your own and as part of a
group.
PDF Updated: May 25, 2016
Information correct at time of going to press. See website (www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectus/socialsci) for latest information
REF
78% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3*
(‘internationally excellent’)
Department
Social Science
Faculty
Institute of Education