
Faculty of
Social Sciences
We’re a leading Faculty of Social Sciences and our rankings reflect this across our subject areas. We're ranked Top 5 in the UK for Education, 1st in Scotland for Criminology and Top 15 in the UK for Social Policy (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022).
Our research provides us with an opportunity to have a significant and positive impact on people's lives. From international research on dementia, to contributions to teaching and social work practises, our work makes a difference.
Welcome to the Faculty of Social Sciences
Study with us
With a diverse range of globally recognised courses, we’ll help you to be the difference in your chosen career. From sociology to education, all of our social science courses are taught by lecturers who are experts in their fields.
Our degrees stand out and include courses that provide outstanding professional development, including our Primary and Secondary Education undergraduate degrees. They both allow you to gain confidence in teaching over four years, as well as studying your chosen subject specialism at the same time.
We deliver many courses that facilitate opportunities for you to gain widespread practical experience, promote postgraduate research, and allow you to achieve your ambitions.

Research
As an integrated multi-disciplinary group, our research and teaching covers: Dementia, Education, Housing, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, and Social Work. Our dynamic group of around 70 academic staff and researchers are committed to producing research that makes a positive social impact around the world.
What our students said
Scotland
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Read Heather's storyI enjoyed the relation this programme had to my professional practice and that throughout the doctorate journey I was able to influence policy and practice
News
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University of Stirling to lead third research network hub in British Academy pilot
The British Academy has announced that the third and final hub of its Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Network – a two-year pilot programme for UK-based postdoctoral researchers in the humanities and social sciences – will be in Scotland.

Study reveals few infants taken into care in Scotland are placed with brothers and sister
Only one in five infants taken into care in Scotland who had older brothers or sisters were initially placed with them, according to a new study funded by Scottish Government which has been published today.