Social Sciences BA (Hons)



Get a good grounding in a broad range of subjects, including geography, history, politics and sociology.
Overview

We are a top 5 UK modern university for Sociology in the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022

Gain a comprehensive understanding of society, culture and human interaction and develop relevant skills for employment including the ability to think critically and analytically.

Social sciences offer an insight into many different aspects of our lives as individuals and as part of society.

On this course you have the opportunity to study a range of social science disciplines including criminology, human geography, history, psychology, politics and sociology. Added to this is an extensive range of optional subjects.

With its wide range of subject matter, this course can carry you into areas as diverse as social care, teaching and commercial or public sector management.

We have a 89satisfaction rate for our Sociology courses (National Student Survey, 2022).

Social Science students studying a textbook in the university library

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

LC38

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Course details

This course provides you with knowledge and understanding about the social world but also encourages you to develop wider skills relevant to employment.

You'll have the opportunity to learn about social scientific research on a range of subjects including Scottish cultural identity, environmental politics, social inequalities, the sociology of organisations and social change. You'll also learn about doing research and carry out your own research projects.

The most important skill you'll acquire on this course is the ability to think critically and analytically. You'll learn to assimilate and interpret vastly differing viewpoints and information, developing them in the context of social theories and practices.

Your communication and collaborative skills will be enhanced, as will your knowledge of social research methods.

Whether you complete the Honours degree or graduate after three years to progress to further studies in teacher training or social work, you’ll leave with a comprehensive understanding of society, culture and human interaction.

  • calendar How you’ll be taught

    You’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions and through independent study.

  • note and pen Assessments

    Mixture of course work, exams and practical

  • briefcase Work placement

    There are options to do work-based learning. A colleague within the department works on employability.

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

  • study abroad Study abroad

    Erasmus connection in Lithuania: Students have found this really interesting and they study in English at this university.

    International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP): We have connections with universities in Australia, Florida and San Diego.

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Understanding Social Science Research 
  • Contemporary British History
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Social Psychology
  • Introduction to Criminology
  • Understanding Social Change

Plus option modules

Year 2

  • Politics in British Society
  • Quantitative Research
  • Society, Space & Place
  • Sociological Theory

Plus option modules

Year 3

  • History of Crime, Correction & Reform
  • Sexuality & Gender
  • Researching the Social Sciences

Plus option modules

Year 4

  • Sociology of Media & Culture
  • Science, Technology & Society
  • Preparing for the Honours Project
  • The Honours Project

Plus option modules

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Advanced entry

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 is possible for students with suitable qualifications.


Minimum year 1

SQA Higher

Standard Entry Requirement

BBBB including English or literary subject*

National 5 C in Maths (Applications of Maths and Lifeskills Maths accepted).

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement

BBCC including English or literary subject* at grade B

National 5 grade C in Maths (Applications of Maths and Lifeskills Maths accepted).

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies

A Level

BCC including English or literary subject*

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Grades H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level to include a Literary subject*

Grade O4 at Ordinary Level in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including English at minimum grade 5

4 points in SL Maths.

HNC

Pass in Social Sciences/Social Care with B in the graded unit.

T Level 

Grade M

T Level must be completed in a Literary subject or A Level Literary subject may be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

GCSE Maths at C/4 

Literary subjects accepted

* Modern Studies, History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, RMPS or A Level Government and Politics. 

Minimum year 2

SQA Advanced Higher

BBC to include a Literary subject

A Level

BBB to include a Literary subject

HNC

Pass in Social Sciences with A in the graded unit.

Minimum year 3

HND

Pass in Social Sciences with Grades AB at SCQF Level 8 in the graded units.

English language requirements

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

International students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

Admissions policies

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £tba
Overseas and EU £15,160 tba
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next.
For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees

Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers
Facial recognition camera in use in a psychology lab in Napier University

Career opportunities include:

  • Public sector (government agencies, local councils)
  • Third sector (charities and social enterprise)
  • Retail and finance
  • Postgraduate studies to enter professional careers such as social work, teaching or social research
  • Journalism
A psychology student at Napier University smiling for the camera