Social Science (BSc)

Our Social Science BSc provides an opportunity for a truly interdisciplinary degree in the social sciences. By organising your studies thematically you can study the same topic from number of different perspectives such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, criminology, education and social policy. In this way you are able to gain a more holistic understanding of complex social phenomena.

Because of its broad scope, this programme is a very good way to obtain the maximum benefit from your time in one of the UK's largest and most successful centres of social science. Your chosen specialism will make up at least a quarter of your final degree and will allow you to learn from leading experts in that domain.

Single or Joint honours?

Given the nature of the scheme, the Social Science route is only available as a single honours option. It is, however, characterised by a minimal number of core modules and the flexibility to great flexibility and pick-and-mix modules from all the other undergraduate schemes in the School of Social Sciences.

Whichever route you choose through the Social Science degree scheme you will benefit from teachers who are leading experts in their fields. By developing an inter-disciplinary understanding of a topic that interests you, you will also have the chance to build a programme of study that plays to your strengths and really works for you.

I enjoyed Social Science because the subjects I learnt were relevant, topical and current.

Guy Pilbeam, Social Sciences Student Year one

All degrees schemes within the Cardiff School of Social Sciences put great emphasis on the combination of theory and method that is needed to apply social science work to real world problems. Our degree schemes are developed with this in mind and provide a solid foundation in core concepts and methods before moving on to more independent and critical thinking about their application in specific contexts.

For the Social Science degree, this progression is accomplished as follows. In year one, all students, take two core modules.

They then complete their programme of study by choosing any four modules from those offered by the Sociology, Social Policy, Education or Criminology schemes.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsIntroduction To Social Science ResearchSI012420 creditsKey Ideas in Social ScienceSI016920 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsEducation and SocietySI000520 creditsIntroduction to Social and Public PolicySI023620 creditsSociology, Society and Social ChangeSI023720 creditsFoundations of Contemporary CriminologySI023820 creditsIntroduction to PsychologySI024220 creditsPhilosophy & Methodology of the Social SciencesSI025720 creditsLies, Damned Lies and StatisticsSI025820 creditsYear two

In years two and three, students consolidate their understanding of core methodological and theoretical issues in the social sciences and choose the specialist pathway that will guide their module choices. Each pathway consists of a pair of modules, one is taught in year two and the other in year three. Students are then able to build their degree around these modules by choosing their remaining modules from those on offer across the Sociology, Psychology, Social Policy, Criminology and Education degree programmes. The degree programme this creates is highly flexible and allows students to combine insights from experts across the School of Social Sciences.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsSocial Research MethodsSI003020 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsSocial Policy AnalysisSI006720 creditsGender Relations and SocietySI007220 creditsInequality & The Division of LabourSI007520 creditsChildren and ChildhoodSI014120 creditsOffending and VictimisationSI020120 creditsResponses To CrimeSI020220 creditsSociology of EducationSI023420 creditsMigration, 'Race' and Ethnic RelationsSI023520 creditsWorking Knowledge: Analysing & Experiencing Employment (With Placement)SI024020 creditsSocial TheorySI006620 creditsCultural SociologySI023920 creditsPoverty & Social Security in the UKSI026020 creditsIntroduction to PsychologySI024220 creditsYear three

All final year students have the opportunity to undertake dissertation project in which they will be able to design and conduct a small scale research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff.

Optional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsDissertationSI013140 creditsConflict & Change in Educational PolicySI015120 creditsEquality and Diversity in Education and WorkSI022020 creditsGlobalisation and Social ChangeSI015820 creditsPower, Culture and IdentitySI016420 creditsDiversity, Crime and Criminal JusticeSI018420 creditsNew Frontiers in SociologySI016320 creditsMetropolis: Urban Life & Consumer CultureSI016220 creditsPrisons and Community SanctionsSI020320 creditsIssues in Social and Cultural PsychologySI020920 creditsPower, Politics and PolicySI020620 creditsIdentity and Individual DifferencesSI023220 creditsSociology of Health, Illness and MedicineSI025020 creditsReflections on Teaching and Learning Practice, Theory and ExperienceSI024120 creditsInternational and Comparative Social and Public PolicySI024720 creditsDigital Society: Theory, Method and DataSI024820 creditsPolicing: Theory, Evidence and PolicySI026320 creditsScience, Risk and Resistance in a Global AgeSI026420 credits The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.