Overview

• You will receive a thorough grounding in sociology, social psychology, politics, economics and social policy as well as studying the history of development of welfare states.
• You will receive comprehensive training in the use and evaluation of social research methods.
• You will study core modules and choose from a selection of over 20 option modules developed specially by the Department, or choose from a wider range offered by other Departments such as Politics or Sociology.

Our Applied Social Science programme is suited to you if you are interested in:

• Applying knowledge to address contemporary social issues and problems
• Examining how and why things go wrong in public policy
• Exploring how social, economic and political decision making structures people’s lives
• Finding out how well-being in Britain compares with other countries

What subjects should I have studied before?

Applied Social Science draws upon many disciplines, if you have previously studied sociology, politics, history, geography or psychology, you may be interested in this degree programme. Similarly, some of our students choose Applied Social Science because it is a subject they have not studied before, yet appeals to their interests.

Structure

Course structure

This is a 3-year, full time undergraduate programme.

See also: Social Policy and Applied Social Science Module Descriptions

Dissertation examples

The third year dissertation is a great opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding in independent supervised research on a topic of your interest. Previous dissertation titles include:

• The dilemma of advocacy in mental health
• Has racism been institutionalised within the structures of English football?
• Domestic violence and why abused partners stay with their abuser
• Globalisation, unemployment and social security – what China can learn from the UK
• Family break-up, lone parenthood and educational attainment

Teaching and support

Modules

Feature: The Age of Consent Debate [Watch the video]

Modules vary in length, credit weighting and the way in which they are assessed.

First and second year modules last for the full academic year (3 terms), count for 30 credits, involve lectures and seminars, some assessment throughout the three terms and a final assessment task in the third term.

Third year option modules are taught in a single term, but count for 20 credits and have around three hours contact per week with a mixture of lectures and seminars. These may also encourage you to research topics in advance and make presentations to the group.

See: Social Policy and Applied Social Science module descriptions

Assessment

The most common form of assessment is essay work set for each module taken, typically around 3,500 words. The end of degree dissertation is 10,000 words in length. There is only minimal use of closed examinations in some modules.

Support

All students are allocated a personal supervisor who is responsible for supporting you throughout your three years. Most commonly, your supervisor will be a member of the staff team responsible for the degree and involved in teaching some of the core modules.

In 2010 the Department was awarded for continuing excellence in supervision by the Students' Union, with a total of 10 members of Social Policy staff nominated for Supervisor of the Year.

Your lectures and second and third year seminars will be delivered by academic staff and on occasion guest speakers. The majority of first year module seminars have the added benefit of being led by trained postgraduate students. Their role is to help you make sense of new subject material, give you the opportunity to ask questions and chat about your ideas.

Careers

Many of our students use the expertise they gain from their degree to enhance their employment careers. Others go on to develop their skills through:

• Postgraduate research
• Postgraduate training in social work
• Postgraduate teaching qualifications

Others get jobs in, for example:

• Housing management
• Work with a local authority

Some of the key skills that you will develop throughout your degree include:

• Academic and evidence-based writing
• Presentation skills
• Information searching skills
• Awareness of different backgrounds and global cultures