The Bachelor of Social Science introduces students to a range of social science disciplines. It is aimed at students who wish to understand the complexities of the social world and environment past and present. The degree provides a strong foundation for both postgraduate study and a wide range of careers in government, social services, NGOs, education, media and business.



We value multidisciplinary exploration, understanding and critical reflection on societies and their contexts. We encourage our students to be critical thinkers, to develop an awareness of ethical issues, and to engage with civil society in order to act as socially aware, responsible citizens.



We provide a learning environment that supports and encourages the development of reflective  and analytic skills. Students will work individually and with their peers to evaluate evidence and identify solutions to key social challenges.



We offer students a variety of teaching and learning approaches. The primary approach is the combination of lectures and seminars. Alongside these we use active learning approaches, for example panel debates, lab work, policy evaluations, work placements, field work, poster sessions and group work. Face to face interaction between students, lecturers and tutors is supported by online tools. 

• Apply their knowledge to find evidence-based, ethical and creative solutions to social and environmental issues.
• Communicate effectively using written and oral methods
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the social sciences and their multidisciplinary nature.
• Demonstrate an awareness of principles of ethical practice in the social sciences.
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of their chosen subjects and pathway
• Synthesise, evaluate, interpret and report theories and evidence in an open, analytical and critical manner.
• Use appropriate research methods to develop and answer research questions.
• Work effectively and responsibly, using professional techniques, tools and technologies, as an individual and in teams

If you are interested in a people-focused career, the new Social Science degree prepares you for a range of exciting career opportunities and postgraduate pathways.

In a time of rapid change the Social Science degree (BSocSc) offers you the opportunity to explore and understand the society in which you live. In the Social Science degree you will examine the complexities of social life and see how individuals and groups live and work together. You will also explore how best to respond to individual needs and to the particular requirements of marginalised members of society. The first year (Stage 1) of the degree offers you a choice from a range of subjects in the Social Sciences with Core modules in Sociology and Social Policy.

These core modules in the first year of the degree allow you to take a sociological view of society and social life, looking at why people behave in certain ways and how they function in the different groups to which they belong – families, races, classes, religions and neighbourhoods. In this year you also study the fundamental of Social Policy, looking at the most effective way to respond the social problems and social needs in areas such as housing, health and education. In Social Policy modules you explore the complexities behind such issues as poverty, drug and alcohol abuse. You are taught by supportive staff who, using a mixture of lectures and small-group teaching, are interested in helping you choose the modules that best suit your interests and your career needs study.

Social Science in Focus

Stage 1

In your first year of study you take your modules from a range of subjects. As well as taking core modules in Social Policy and Sociology, you also take optional modules from Geography, Psychology, Politics, Economics, Archaeology and Information Studies.

Academic advice is available to help you choose the most appropriate combination of subject modules for your career choices and to allow you to progress to the path of graduate study most suited to your academic interest and career needs.

Stage 2

In Stage 2, you chose from one of seven study paths that have been designed to allow you to directly enter the labour market or to progress to graduate study, leading to a range of interesting and rewarding careers.

Your choice of modules has been tailored to the type of career pathway that matches your particular interests and each student takes a unique combination of modules that best suits their needs. All of the research paths have some specialist modules not available to students on any other degree programme. Psychology cannot be taken as a major subject in the Social Science degree, but some of the study paths contain specialist psychology modules.

Social Work Path: Social Policy (including specialist Social Work theory and practice modules) modules from Psychology combined with another of your Stage 1 subjects.

Environmental and Urban Studies Path: Geography (including specialist small group classes) combined with another of your Stage 1 subjects.

Development Studies Path: Politics (including specialist modules) combined with either Sociology or Social Policy.

Crime and Social Order Path: Sociology (including small group teaching on aspects of criminology), modules in Psychology, Social Justice combined with another of your Stage 1 subjects.

Human and Organisational Administration Path: Social Policy (with specialist modules in business administration and industrial relations), organisational psychology combined with another of your Stage 1 subjects.

Rights, Justice & Society Path: Social Policy (with specialist Social Justice modules) combined with another of your Stage 1 subjects.

Social Media: Information Studies (includes small specialised modules) combined with another of your Stage 1 subjects.

Ancient & Modern Societies: Archaeology (including specialist modules) combined with Sociology.

You have the option of taking a four-year BSocSc (International) degree that incorporates an extra year of university study abroad as an integral part of the programme.

In Stage 2 you may apply to enter the international programme and, if accepted, you have the opportunity to attend one of a range of European universities during the following year.

The newly restructured Social Science degree has been designed to allow you to choose a tailored path of study that leads to a clear career path and/or to graduate study. The seven study paths in the Social Science degree lead to graduate opportunities and careers in:

Advanced Research: careers in research and marketing posts in business, industry and the public service

Social Work: careers in professional social work, counselling, health service management and community work. Professional social work training in UCD is offered as a two-year graduate option for Social Science graduate. This route is the most direct way to gain social work training at Masters level, which is the most common entry point to the career and an essential qualification for work in the USA and parts of Australia.

Environmental and Urban Studies: careers in urban planning, housing policy, environmental policy and international development work
Policy Analysis: careers as policy makers and analysts in politics, public service, NGOs in Ireland and abroad.

Crime and Social Order: careers in justice, youth work, community work, addiction studies etc.

Human and Organisational Administration: careers in human resource management, business and marketing
Information Studies: careers in professional librarianship, information management, records management, electronic publishing and broadcast media.

UCD Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Programme Office,
Newman Building,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 8102/8259
Web:www.ucd.ie/ahss

DN012 Arts

In your first year (called Stage 1) you take 12 modules over two semesters. You must study core modules in Social Policy and Sociology (40 credits) and optional modules from Archeology, Economics, Politics, Geography and Information Studies