Are you interested in the ways in which culture, politics, and the economy shape society and people’s lives? Are you motivated by issues such as social justice, equality, identity and diversity; sustainability and ecology; human needs and rights? The Bachelor of Social Science degree (BSocSc) gives you an opportunity to study the social, psychological, political and economic influences that shape the world we live in and determine our wellbeing. Social Science is ideally suited to people who are interested in understanding complex social issues and, who seek to pursue careers that promote wellbeing and human flourishing. On the BSocSc degree, you will study a range of subjects that will cultivate your ability to understand the dynamics of local, national, and global social policy-making. It also offers a unique lens into the social professions and their many roles in areas such as mental health and well-being; children, young people and families; education, including special education, disability and rights; substance abuse; Travellers and ethnicity; identity and sexuality issues; housing and homelessness; health and welfare; older people; migration and asylum.

The BSocSc will ground you in an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of society. Throughout the degree you will study several core disciplines including Applied Psychology, Social Policy, Philosophy, Sociology, and Economics. In addition to strong academic direction in the social sciences, the BSocSc also offers you the chance to develop your practical experience, through optional work experience modules in an agency / service provider of your choice. For students interested in languages, the BSocSc also offers you the opportunity to complement your study of society with a choice of optional language modules (e.g. Gaeilge, French, German, Spanish, Italian) in the second and third year of the BSocSc. A particularly strong aspect of the degree is the introduction it provides you to research skills and report writing. Final year students pursue a research project of their choice, with opportunities provided to collaborate with local community organisations and produce ‘real world’ research that responds to local social science issues and the needs of local groups and services.

Graduates of the BSocSc pursue rewarding and person-centred careers in social work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, counselling and mental health, disability, probation, children and youth, special education, social research, town planning, human resources, public and civil services, management and marketing, media and broadcasting.

BSocSc graduates progress to several graduate degrees, including Social Work, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Youth and Community Work, Planning and Sustainable Development, Teaching, Criminology.

BSocSc Year 1

Core Modules:

Applied Social Studies:

SS1017 Politics and Social Policy (Part 1) (10 credits) and

SS1018 Politics and Social Policy (Part 2) (5 credits)

Sociology:

SC1012 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits) and 

SC1013 Key Issues in Sociology (10 credits)

Applied Psychology (5 credits each):  

AP1110 Psychology as Science

AP1149 Introduction to Developmental and Social Psychology 

Economics (5 credits each):

EC1117 Markets and Government: An Introduction to Economics and 

EC1118 Markets and Government: An Introduction to Economics

Elective module:

Philosophy or Social Practice and the Social Professions

PH1005 Philosophy and Social Science - An Introduction (10 credits)

or

SS1012 Social Practice and the Social Professions (10 credits)

______________

After first year where the majority of modules are compulsory, in second and third year you have a greater opportunity to branch out into subject areas you are interested in.

BSocSc Year 2

Core Modules:

Applied Psychology Applied Social Studies, Economics; Philosophy; Sociology

Elective Modules:

Applied Social Studies (such as, Special Education and Disability; Child Care Policy; Family policy; Peace Building; Penal Policy) Philosophy; Sociology; European Languages.

BSocSc Year 3

Core Modules:

Applied Social Studies:

Politics and Social Policy

Social Research Report

Electives Modules:

Applied Psychology, Applied Social Studies (such as, Housing and Homelessness; Poverty and Social Exclusion; Communities and Activism; Youth Policy; and Sexuality); Economics; Philosophy; Social Work, Social Professions; Sociology, European Languages; Statistics

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Leaving Cert entry requirements:

H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Mature students: Applicants should apply directly through the CAO, include a statement of interest, and must also apply separately to sit the Mature Student Admissions Pathway (MSAP) test.  Approximately fifteen places are available on this course for mature students. 

International Students should visit the International Education website.

FETAC Requirements.

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

Non-EU Applicants

Mature Applicants:  Application is made through the CAO (www.cao.ie) and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.

Expected lecture hours:  Approximately 15 lecture hours per week, and five hours of tutorials / seminars.

Expected reading hours: As with all Social Science degrees, reading hours are also a core part of the course where, for example, key literature and policy discussed and debated in lectures are studied in depth in your own time.

Field Work Placement: Students taking the optional fieldwork placement modules are required to undertake a minimum of 150 hours in an agency or organisation of their choice during the summer prior to BSocSc Year 2 and / or summer prior to BSocSc Year 3.

Modules are normally assessed by formal end of semester Written Examinations and Continuous Assessment. In the case of modules assessed by formal written examinations take place before Christmas and in May of the academic year.  Not all modules will have formal examinations and many are assessed using a variety of continuous assessment methods including learning portfolios, essays, group presentations, book/policy reviews, agency profiles, and a final-year research project.

The BSocSc is an interdisciplinary degree and lecturing staff across the university are involved in teaching on the course. Participating schools include Applied Psychology, Applied Social Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, and Economics.  The degree is co-ordinated in the School of Applied Social Studies and many of the staff of the school contribute to the degree by drawing on their specialist teaching, research and community engagement expertise. Lecturers and tutors involved in teaching the BSocSc are committed to promoting excellence in their teaching and helping students to achieve their goals. Students have access to high-quality, research-informed teaching by academics who are active in promoting social change through their work in communities and policy advocacy. Please visit the School of Applied Social Studies website (www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/) for information about what the School does.