Bachelor of Social Science (Hons)

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.

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate

Duolingo English Test (DET): DET 120 with a minimum score of 110 in each individual section

IELTS - International English Language Testing System/ IELTS Indicator Test: Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each band

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language - TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Test: Minimum overall score of 90 and minimum of 20 in each section

University of Cambridge: 176+ on the Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English i.e.

Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2) Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2) First Certificate, Grade A (CEFR Level C1)

Pearson PTE Academic: Minimum of 63 (with at least 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section)