Course Finder

BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology

BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology

Undergraduate (Level 8 NFQ , Credits 180 )

This three-year BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology degree is a Joint Major in Social Policy and Sociology. This degree was previously named the BSocSc in Social Science. Graduates often progress to further study to become social workers and to related professions. When you apply for this degree, you choose SBU2 BSc Social Policy and Sociology.


For more information regarding this course, please click Central Office - College of Social Sciences and Law

How do I apply?


For EU students, please apply via MyUCD. The following entry route(s) are available:
Description ENTRY Duration Application Opening Date APPURL
BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology(SBU2) Entry in
Sep 2024
Full Time - 3 Years Apply From -
Oct 2023
Apply

The BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology at University College Dublin is the premier honours degree of its kind in Ireland. It is the standard qualification for those working in policy making and social services and recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. If you are interested in exploring how societies, communities and families work and wish to make a difference to the world, affect cultural change, contribute to public service or corporate responsibility, then this course is for you. 

The course explores key social issues affecting societies in the European Union, the USA and East Asia: poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental illness, social stratification, criminal justice, globalisation, gender equality, sexualities and reproductive health, childhood and children’s services, and tax and welfare systems. You will learn about how policy makers, in Ireland and across the world, have responded to these societal challenges. A strong emphasis is placed on studying qualitative and quantitative research methods. You will attend lectures and seminars and engage in project-based learning, instruction, and independent study with experienced academic staff and with input from policy-makers and industry.

Click below to for all course modules:

BSocSc Social Policy and SociologySBU2

First Year
You will undertake compulsory modules in social policy and sociology. Students are not expected to have any prior knowledge of these disciplines; the first year modules will provide you with a comprehensive introduction.

Second & Third Year
Alongside compulsory modules in social policy and sociology you will select optional modules from one of the following pathways, which will refine and develop your career skills:

Social Work and Social Professions
This pathway provides you with a strong foundation for professional social work or social service careers, in addition to careers in Counselling, Social Care Management, and the Probation Service.

Society and Public Service
You will be introduced to statistics for social policy, social policy topics covering a wide range of social services and modules in public sociology. This pathway prepares you for a wide range of Master’s programmes and employment in public services, NGOs, community development, youth work, social enterprise and public policy advocacy.

Work, Organisations and People
You will combine social policy and sociology with modules from organisational psychology and industrial relations. This pathway prepares you for study in wide range of human organisation orientated Master’s programmes and employment in business and personnel management, industrial relations, marketing and corporate responsibility and governance.

The BSocSc provides a strong foundation for both postgraduate study and a wide range of careers in government, social services, NGOs, education, media, including new and online media (who are increasingly expressing an active interest in recruiting social sciences graduates) and business. Alumni include Orlaith Blaney (Marketing and Advertising, former CEO McCannBlue Dublin), Frances Fitzgerald (TD), Ali Hewson (Humanitarian) and Sr Stanislaus Kennedy (Humanitarian & Founder, Focus Ireland).

This programme allows international study opportunities in universities both in Europe and further afield. Currently Erasmus exchange opportunities exist in Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Hong Kong.

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.