Social Studies BSc (Hons)

Graduates from our Social Studies degree can forge careers in anything from teaching to social work, probation work, mental health, social research, human resources, community work, family conferencing, drama therapy, events management, local government, the civil service and women’s aid.

Overview
About the course
Structure
Fees
Entry requirements
Applying

The course covers a range of interrelated social science disciplines including psychology, sociology, cultural studies and research methods, and explores topics such as poverty, mental health, social psychology, crime and deviance, culture and difference, local and global cultures, cultural politics, health psychology and the sociology of health and illness.

The course is divided into four strands to represent each of the social science disciplines:

Psychology
Sociology
Cultural studies
Social research methods

The disciplines are run concurrently throughout the three years and each carries equal weighting in the programme for individuals wish to continue with this course beyond the first year.

Why should I do this course?

As this course covers a broad range of subjects, graduates have the opportunity to proceed into an unlimited number of careers in this area. This course is ideal for graduates who wish to progress onto careers in areas such as social research, teaching the civil service, NHS trusts, charitable/voluntary organisations, the police, or marketing agencies.

What's covered?

Year 1

the history, development and present state of sociology
psychology and cultural studies
methods and analyses for social research

Year 2

social structures and structured inequalities
culture and difference
critical thought
social psychology
social research methods
work placement of approximately 80-100 hours

Year 3

current issues in social studies
crime and deviance or the sociology of health and illness
cultural politics
local and global culture
research dissertation

How will my work be assessed?

Students are assessed through a variety of methods including essays, reports, research projects, reflective journals, seminars responding to pre-set reading, timed Assessments and examinations. The first year of study is a qualifying year and does not count towards the final degree classification.

What can I do after this?

Always in high demand by employers, our graduates have taken up careers ranging from a case-worker in a women’s refuge, a manager for a housing charity, a family conferencing case-worker, a Connexions adviser, a disability rights consultant, a mental health worker, and a clinical psychologist. In addition, many graduates have taken up teaching careers in the primary, secondary and post-compulsory sectors, while others have gone on to further study at Master’s and PhD level

Careers

Social services

Year 1: In this first year of the programme you will be introduced to the four main subject strands that make up social studies:

sociology
psychology
cultural studies
social research methods

As part of the first year you will develop various skills and experiences related to these strands, synthesising them with basic competencies, language and concepts. You will also be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning and to assimilate and engage with the culture of higher education.

Areas of study: Include the history, development and present state of sociology, psychology and cultural studies, as well as methods and analyses for social research.

Year 2: You will develop the ability to apply basic competencies, language and concepts of the programme and address the subject areas in more depth. There will be an increased emphasis on independent research and the application of the analytical skills acquired in the previous year, together with the development of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Areas of study: Include social structures and structured inequalities, culture and difference, critical thought, social psychology, social research methods, work placement (approximately 80-100 hours).

Year 3: Whilst studying a range of specialist modules across the various disciplinary strands, the main thrust of the final year is your dissertation, a substantial piece of academic writing. Preparation for this module has several component parts culminating in the production of your own research project.

Areas of study: Include current issues in social studies, crime and deviance or the sociology of health and illness, cultural politics, local and global culture, research dissertation.

Low-cost higher education

Our fees are well below the national average and are among the lowest in the region, so studying with us is great value for money!

Click for more about higher education funding.

Entry requirements

160 UCAS Points
GCSE English at grade C or above (or equivalent)

Candidates without formal qualifications may apply and will need to demonstrate the ability to study at a higher level through interview, the submission of an exceptional entry portfolio and/or a written assessment.

Full-time courses

Applications for full-time courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), quoting institution code S43 and the UCAS code for your chosen course.

Part-time courses

Applications for all part-time Honours Degree, Foundation Degree, Certificate of Higher Education and Diploma of Higher Education courses at South Essex College should be made directly to the College using the online application form or by completing a paper application form and mailing it to our freepost address:

HE Admissions
South Essex College
Freepost SMU 110
Luker Road
Southend on Sea
Essex
SS1 1BR

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