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Awarding body
Teaching Institution
Programme Title(s)
Programme Code(s)
UCAS code (if applicable)
Home Department
Exit Award(s)
Duration of Study (number of years)
University of London
Birkbeck College
BSc Social Science
UBSSOSCI_C; UBSSOSC9_C; UUBSSOSC_C;
UUBSSOS9; UBSSOSCD
L900
Geography, Environment and Development Studies
BSc Social Science with Communication
BSc Social Science with Geography
BSc Social Science with History
BSc Social Science with Politics
BSc Social Science with Psychosocial Studies
BSc Social Science with Social Anthropology
BSc Social Science with Social Policy
3 years FT/4 years PT/6 years Decelerated
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11 Other teaching depts or institution (if applicable)
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Mode of Study
(FT/PT/DL)
FT/PT
Level of Award (FHEQ) 6
Professional, Statutory Regulatory
Body(PSRB) details (if applicable)
QAA Benchmark Group (if applicable)
Option modules taken from Departments of Applied
Linguistics and Communication, History, Politics,
Psychosocial Studies
N/A
(include URL to PSRB)
14 Programme Rationale & Aims
This interdisciplinary degree aims to:

Equip students with the conceptual, theoretical and intellectual skills to analyse the origins and dynamics of social processes from the perspectives of the individual, the group, the state and international communities.

Develop students’ skills as active learners in academic, work-related and broader lifelong learning contexts.

Provide students with a solid foundation in social theory and social research that can be broadened and deepened through the study of option subjects across the social science disciplines offered at Birkbeck.

Enable students to become competent, critical and responsible researchers of the social world with the ability to make informed choices about research methods and apply them competently.

Prepare students for further postgraduate study and/or to prepare them for career and professional development opportunities in a range of fields which require research, analytical and communication competences as acquired and practised during their degree studies.
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Develop students’ analytical reflection on their learning experiences across a range of professional and non-professional contexts as well as their skills of planning and directing their learning.

Integrate students’ explorations of their learning about the social world with wider debates regarding diversity and social justice.
Distinctive Features

The BSc Social Science is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in social theory and social research while allowing students to pick option subjects from across the social science disciplines offered at Birkbeck.
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The programme is offered in Bloomsbury and Stratford with all compulsory modules being available at both campuses.

The programme focuses on providing students with the ability to understand, choose, and competently apply different methods of inquiry.

Students can draw on a wide range of optional courses and may, if they wish, specialise in one of the social science disciplines offered at Birkbeck.

Students may – depending on their option choices – graduate with the degree title
BSc Social Science or
BSc Social Science with Communication
BSc Social Science with Geography
BSc Social Science with History
BSc Social Science with Politics
BSc Social Science with Psychosocial Studies
BSc Social Science with Social Anthropology
BSc Social Science with Social Policy
15 Entry Criteria
Students will normally be expected to have three A-levels (or the equivalent) at a level of performance determined from time to time.
However, there are no formal entry requirements for mature students. Students should, however, be able to read, speak and write English with sufficient fluency to manage undergraduate study in this medium. They should also be able to devote sufficient time to their study. Admission interviews may be conducted to determine whether students have the potential to succeed in Honours level study and whether they need additional support before enrolling.
Students who have already taken a Birkbeck Certificate in Higher Education in a related subject and
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who have performed sufficiently well will normally be admitted to the second year of the programme. The programme director will determine entry and credit for modules can be given.
16 Prospectus Entry
The BSc Social Sciences is the flagship degree of the School of Social Sciences, History and
Philosophy, and is perfect for those students who are looking for a flexible programme that builds on their own interests, strengths and experiences. The course is structured around four core modules that cover the fundamentals of social theory, social & public policy, and research methods. You can then choose options from across the School, including modules in geography, history, politics, philosophy, development studies, psycho social studies, anthropology, social policy, and sociology.
The knowledge and skills that you will acquire on this programme will build your capacity as a thinker, communicator and analyst. Our students come from a range of backgrounds, and pursue a wide spectrum of careers, including in central or local government, public policy, cultural industries, enterprise, social research, and journalism. You will be taught be academic staff who are expert in their field and committed to teaching, alongside London’s working professionals, in classes that are engaging and participatory.
17 Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific
1.
Students have acquired an integrated understanding of how different social science concepts, theories and insights can be combined for the purpose of analysing social processes
2.
Students have acquired an understanding of social theory and social research
3.
Students have acquired an understanding of the nature of social science knowledge and how it is generated
Intellectual
4.
Students are able to critically apply scientific standards in the evaluation of their own and other people’s work
5.
Students are able to construct an intellectually coherent and empirically substantiated argument
Practical
6.
Ability competently to apply qualitative and quantitative methods of social inquiry
7.
Ability competently to plan, design, organise and implement research projects
Personal and Social
8.
Ability and confidence to communicate clearly in oral and written form
9.
Ability and confidence to work independently and in an organised fashion, developing into
10.
self-directed and reflective learners
10. Students are aware of the ethical questions surrounding inquiries into social questions and are able to connect these concerns with wider debates on diversity and social justice
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18 Learning, teaching and assessment methods
Most of the teaching will take the form of lectures and seminars. For the dissertation, learning will rely more heavily on one-to-one tutorials/supervisions. Students are encouraged through learning journals and other pieces of coursework to become self-aware and independent learners.
A range of assessment methods is used, for instance essays, other written tasks (e.g. learning journals, policy briefs), presentations and end-of-module exams.
19 Programme Structure
Description
 Course structure
The programme consists of modules worth a total of 360 credits, comprising 120 credits at Levels
4, 5 and 6 respectively.
If you intend to graduate with a certain specialism, you must select 3 option modules in that area
(to the value of 90 credits): 1 module at Level 5 and 2 at Level 6.
A typical full-time route through the programme is as follows:
In Year 1, you are introduced to key contemporary debates in the social sciences and to university study in general. You take 2 compulsory modules and choose Level 4 option modules worth a total of 60 credits.
In Year 2, you are introduced to issues of social and public policy, and how these relate to theoretical debates in the social sciences. You also cover the research methods used in the social sciences, including qualitative and quantitative techniques and related epistemological debates.
You take 2 compulsory modules and choose Level 5 option modules worth 60 credits.
In Year 3, you take an advanced social theory course and can opt to develop advanced analytical and research skills by undertaking an independent dissertation. You take 1 compulsory module and can choose to either take optional modules worth up to 90 credits, or a dissertation worth 60 credits and an optional module of 30 credits.
Year 1 - Compulsory modules o o
Introductions: Understanding the Social World
Social Inequalities and Diversities
Year 2 - Compulsory modules o Knowing the Social World o Social Relations and Social Policy Level 5
Year 3- Compulsory modules
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Social Theory and Sociology - http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/modules/sspa/SSPA058S6
Dissertation o BSc Social Science Dissertation
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4 year programme BSc Social Sciences
Year 1
5
5
Year 3
Level
5
5
6
Year 4
Level
4
4
4
Year 2
Level
4
Module Code
Module Code
FFSO002S4
SSPA001S5
Module Code
POSO027S5
Module Title
FFHE026S4 Introductions: Understanding the Social World
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Module Title
Social Inequalities and Diversities
Knowing the Social World
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Module Title
Social Relations and Social Policy
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Option(s) from approved modules within field
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6
6
Level
6
6
Module Code
FDSO006D6
SSPA058S6
SSPA058S6
Module Title
Social Sciences Dissertation
Social Theory and Sociology or
Social Theory and Sociology
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Option(s) from approved modules within field
3 year programme BSc Social Sciences
Year 1
Level
4
4
4
Module Code
FFHE026S4
FFSO002S4
Module Title
Introductions: Understanding the Social World
Social Inequalities and Diversities
Option(s) from approved modules within field
4
Year 2
Level
5
Module Code
POSO027S5
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Module Title
Social Relations and Social Policy
Credits
30
30
30
Credits
30
30
30
Credits
30
30
30
Credits
30
Credits
60
30
30
30
30
Credits
30
30
30
30
Status
Compulsory
Option
Option
Status
Compulsory
Compulsory
Option
Status
Compulsory
Option
Option
Status
Option
Compulsory
Status
Compulsory
Compulsory
Option
Option
Compulsory
Option
Option
Status
Compulsory
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5
5
5
Year 3
Level
6
6
6
6
6
6
SSPA001S5
Module Code
FDSO006D6
SSPA058S6
Knowing the Social World
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Module Title
Social Sciences Dissertation
Social Theory and Sociology
Option(s) from approved modules within field or
Social Theory and Sociology
Option(s) from approved modules within field
Option(s) from approved modules within field
30
30
30
Credits
60
30
30
30
30
30
Compulsory
Option
Option
Status
Option
Compulsory
Option
Compulsory
Option
Option
6 Option(s) from approved modules within field 30 Option
BSc Social Sciences EXIT AWARDS
In order to graduate with the exit awards below, students must complete the programme of study detailed above while selecting at least the following options:
Level
5
6
6
Module Code Module Title
Option taken in the Department of Linguistics.
Option taken in the Department of Linguistics.
Option taken in the Department of Linguistics.
Level Module Code Module Title
5
6
6
Option taken in the Department of Geography,
Environment and Development Studies
Option taken in the Department of Geography,
Environment and Development Studies.
Option taken in the Department of Geography,
Environment and Development Studies
Level Module Code Module Title
5
6
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Option taken in the Department of Politics.
Option taken in the Department of Politics.
Option taken in the Department of Politics.
Credits
30
30
30
Credits
30
30
30
Credits
30
30
30
Status
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Status
Option
Option
Option
Status
Option
Option
Option
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Level Module Code Module Title Credits
5
6
6
Option taken in the Department of
Psychosocial studies.
Option taken in the Department of
Psychosocial studies.
Option taken in the Department of
Psychosocial studies.
Level Module Code Module Title
30
30
30
5
6
6
SSGE024S5
SSGE015S6
SSGE016S6
Material Culture, Consumption and the
Construction of the Self
Options taken in the Department of
Geography, Environment and Development
Studies: Anthropology, Development and
Diaspora; Anthropology of Space, Architecture and Landscape
Options taken in the Department of
Geography, Environment and Development
Studies: Anthropology, Development and
Diaspora; Anthropology of Space, Architecture and Landscape
Level Module Code Module Title
Credits
30
30
30
5
6
6
SSEA016S5 Social Justice
Options taken in the Department of
Geography, Environment and Development
Studies. Options may include:
Inequality and Diversity: the development of policy and practice in Britain
Issues in Local Governance and Government
Options taken in the Department of
Geography, Environment and Development
Studies. Options may include:
Inequality and Diversity: the development of policy and practice in Britain
Issues in Local Governance and Government
Credits
30
30
30
20 Regulations
Admissions
This programme adheres to the College Admissions Policy http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/rules/Admissions%20Policy.pdf/view
Status
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Status
Option
Compulsory
Compulsory
Status
Compulsory
Compulsory
Option
Credit Transfer
Accredited Prior Learning will be considered in line with the College Policy on Accredited Prior
Learning http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/rules/AccreditedPriorLearning.pdf
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Programme Regulations
This programme adheres to the College Common Awards Scheme http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/rules/casregs.pdf
Programme Specific Regulations (if applicable) N/A
21 Student Support and Guidance
All Birkbeck students have access to a range of student support services, details can be found on our website here: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities
22 Methods of Enhancing Quality and Standards
The College has rigorous procedures in place for the monitoring and enhancing its educational provision. This includes regular monitoring of programmes drawing on feedback from various sources including external examiner's reports, student feedback, student achievement and progression data. In addition, departments are reviewed every four to five years through the internal review process that includes external input.
For more information please see the Academic Standards and Quality website http://www.bbk.ac.uk/registry/about-us/operations-and-quality
23 Programme Director Dr Kate Maclean
24 Start Date
(term/year)
Autumn 2007
25 Date approved by TQEC Spring 2007
26 Date approved by Academic Board Summer 2007
27 Date(s) updated/amended July 2015
Please note that the amendments introduced effective from October 2015 (changing Social conflict to an optional module and introducing Social Theory and Sociology as a compulsory module) on this specification apply to all students (both continuing and new starters from 2015/6).
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