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4. Social Science

Course Fact File

Code	CK102
Duration	3 or 4 Years
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	BSocSc (Hons)
NFQ Level	Level 8
CAO Points	2024: 369
CAO Points Range	2024: 369-602

Course Outline

Are you open-minded? Are you committed to social justice? Do you support and advocate for human rights? Are you interested in a career that promotes people’s wellbeing? Would you like to develop skills to analyse and navigate our supercomplex world?

The Bachelor of Social Science degree (BSocSc) invites you to study the social, cultural, psychological, political, and economic influences that shape the world we live in. If you embrace thinking about complicated and multi-layered social issues - such as mental health, children’s rights, education, disability, drugs and alcohol use, racism, sexual identity, housing and homelessness, equality, sustainability, and criminal justice – then Social Science is for you!

Over the course of three years, Social Science students develop highly valuable skills – including argumentation, problem-solving, critical thinking, writing, analytical, and research skills – that enable them to flourish as learners, people, professionals, active citizens, advocates, and activists.

On the Social Science course, you will examine social issues from many perspectives, and study several subjects including Social Policy, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, and Economics. The course is designed on the understanding that this is the first time that most students are encountering the social sciences. As such, students are not expected to have prior knowledge of the various subjects and the first year is focused on introducing you to key concepts and theories.

In the second and third years of the course, you will again take a number of ‘core’ or compulsory modules in social policy, sociology, economics, philosophy, and psychology. You will also be invited to choose (elective) modules of particular interest to you from a large range of possibilities. The course also offers you the chance to develop your practical experience through optional work experience in an organisation of your choice in Ireland or abroad. And, if you are interested in languages, you can also study French, German, Spanish, Italian, or Irish/Gaeilge. This flexibility in design allows you to shape the degree to fit your own specialist interests and career plans.

An exciting and important element of the degree is the opportunity to engage in research about a social issue of special interest to you. Final year students undertake a social research project that they design and carry out with the guidance of an academic and with opportunities to collaborate with local community organisations. Students therefore produce ‘real world’ research that responds to key social issues in the 21st century.

Year 1 Modules

Core

• AP1023 Lifespan Development (5 credits)
• EC1117 & EC1118 Markets & Government: An Introduction to Economics (5 credits each)
• SS1017 Politics & Social Policy (1) (10 credits)
• SS1018 Politics & Social Policy (2) (5 credits)
• SC1012 Introduction to Sociology (A) (5 credits)
• SC1017 Key Issues in Sociology (B) (5 credits)
• PH1005 An Introduction to Philosophy & Social Science (10 credits)

Electives

• SS1012 Social Practice and the Social Professions (10 credits) or
• SC1020 States, Economies and Societies (5 credits) and AP1022 Social Psychology (5 credits) 

Year 2 

• Core: Social Policy, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Economics
• Electives: Social Policy; Sociology; Statistics; Languages; Philosophy

Year 3 

• Core: Politics and Social Policy, Social Research Project
• Electives: Sociology; Social Policy; Economics; Social Work and Social Services; Sociology and Society; Applied Psychology; Languages; Philosophy; Statistics

UCC Diploma in Social Studies Progression Pathway

Students who have passed the Diploma in Social Studies from 2020 onwards may register for Second Social Science. Students who wish to progress to Second Social Science should notify the School of Applied Social Studies in writing of their intention to do so by the first Friday of July at the end of their second year of studying for the Diploma in Social Studies. Upon successful completion of the Diploma in Social Studies, students who have notified their intention to progress may register for Second Social Science. If you have any queries about this progression pathway, please contact the BSocSc Programme Director Dr Órla O' Donovan by email to: o.odonovan@ucc.ie

Option to transfer to Bachelor of Social Work - Year 2

From 2025 onwards, students who have passed year 1 of the BSocSc (CK102) may apply to register for year 2 of the Bachelor of Social Work (CK115). Upon successful completion of the year 1 of the BSocSc, including the prerequisite module – SS1012 (Social Practice and the Social Professions) - students who have notified their intention to transfer, will be eligible to apply for year 2 of the BSW. The allocation of a place on year 2 of the BSW will be subject to a selection process. Please note that there is a limit of 10 places available. Students who wish to transfer to year 2 of the BSW must notify the School of Applied Social Studies in writing of their intention to do so by the 25 April at the end of their first year of studying the BSocSc. Students who do not transfer to the BSW may continue on the BSocSc.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Note that not all modules will have formal examinations and most modules include continuous assessment. In the final year, you will write a research project on a topic of your choosing with the guidance of an academic supervisor.

Why Choose This Course

Choose this course if you are concerned about shaping a more fair and just society and if you are motivated to contribute positively to people’s wellbeing. You will find yourself amongst a group of students and academics who are similarly driven to think critically about social justice and social issues.

The BSocSc degree course is delivered in a student-centred way, based on a strong commitment to supporting our students to flourish intellectually and professionally. Three dedicated coordinators look after students in each year of the course. They are an important resource for students who may have queries about module choices, the structure of the course, or are looking for academic advice.

Teaching and learning practices include small group tutorials, seminars on study and writing skills, and ongoing tutor and staff availability throughout the year. As academics who are also committed teachers, we are highly regarded for our innovative teaching and learning practices. In particular, we have developed effective teaching practices that draw on digital

technologies to support student learning using fun, creative, and formative methods of engagement that enhance students’ digital skills alongside their academic development.

An ethos of connection to and service to society underpins our teaching and learning practices. Committed to developing independent and critical thinking skills, our graduates develop vital research, argumentation, and analytical skills that will equip them for successful engagement in work, study, and active citizenship.

In summary, the BSocSc in UCC is a highly-regarded academic degree with an excellent national and international reputation for its teaching and learning, research, and community engagement practices.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Placements are offered on an optional basis on the BSocSc in years two and three. For each placement students undertake a minimum of 150 hours work in a setting relevant to their studies and placements are completed in the summer months.

Students have undertaken placements in a diverse range of local community settings and social services agencies. Many students have chosen to complete their placements abroad, in places like India, Sri Lanka, Belarus, Romania, Ukraine, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.

These placements offer invaluable work experience and prepare students for applying for a range of professional postgraduate programmes such as Social Work and Occupational Therapy.

In addition, you may also choose to take the College of Arts Celtic Studies and Social Sciences PX3001 Professional Placement Module.  This provides an opportunity to gain even further work experience in a very wide range of settings.

Study Abroad

From 2020 onwards we are pleased to introduce an International Pathway for students who wish to study abroad. You have the option of choosing the BSocSc (International) Pathway after your first year of study.  This pathway allows you to spend third year in an approved foreign university where you will study approved courses and modules. All courses will be assessed by the host university. Students return to UCC for a final fourth year of study.  

Skills and Careers Information

The Social Science degree is ideally suited to those who are broadly interested in working with people in a social- and community-focused context. Our graduates are employed in a variety of settings and public and voluntary sector organisations, such as community and health services, probation, social care, local government, housing associations, and social service/advocacy groups.

In terms of postgraduate opportunities, a big advantage for Social Science graduates is that they can access a broad range of postgraduate courses in diverse fields including:

* social work

* occupational therapy

* speech and language therapy

* planning and sustainable development

* community and youth work

* social policy and social research

* criminology

* teaching

* marketing and management

* journalism

Students who are interested in person-centred careers – but who may be undecided about what particular area they would like to specialise in – will enjoy space and time to grow and mature and to explore their options. Along the way, the degree enables students to develop valuable transferable professional and academic skills including critical thinking, problem solving, social analysis, writing and research skills.

Requirements

Leaving Cert Entry Requirements

At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.

Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English	Irish	Other Language
O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest, and prospective students must also apply for and sit the Mature Student Evaluation (MSE) test.

Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages. 

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support. 

Fees and Costs

How To Apply