Social Studies
Social Studies is concerned with understanding society. It looks at how contemporary society across the globe functions and the major challenges facing it. Social Studies also includes the processes and outcomes of the welfare of society.
Studying subjects within Social Studies such as Social Work, Social Policy, Sociology, Housing Studies, Social Research and Substance Use, give you an opportunity to have a significant and positive impacts on people’s lives.
Our Social Studies courses are designed to equip our students with the practical and transferable knowledge necessary to meet the complex demands of professional practice.
Social Studies courses
Courses labelled are available for online study only.
| Course | Start date |
|---|---|
| BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy | September 2022, January 2023 (We are no longer accepting applications from Scottish applicants for September 2022 entry) |
| BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology | September 2022, January 2023 (We are no longer accepting applications from Scottish applicants for September 2022 entry) |
| BA (Hons) Social Work | September 2022 |
| BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy | September 2022, January 2023 |
| Course | Start date |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Applied Social Research | September 2022, January 2023 |
| MSc Applied Professional Studies | September 2022, January 2023 |
| MSc Applied Social Research | September 2022, January 2023 |
| MSc Applied Social Research (Social Statistics and Social Research) | September 2022, January 2023 |
| MSc Disaster Interventions and Humanitarian Aid | September 2022 |
| MSc Global Ageing (Online) | September 2022 |
| MSc / PG Dip Housing Studies (part-time) | September 2022 |
| MSc / PG Dip Housing Studies (with internship) | September 2022 |
| MSc Social Work Studies | January 2023 |
| MSc Substance Use | September 2022 |
CPD / standalone modules
The Faculty of Social Sciences offer a number of short social studies courses including:
2nd in Scotland
and 3rd in the UK for Social Work
Complete University Guide 2022
3rd in Scotland
and Top 15 in the UK for Sociology
Complete University Guide 2022
Top 5 in Scotland
for Social Policy
Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022
Graduate careers in Social Studies
Social studies graduates work in the private, public and voluntary sectors. Successful completion of our BA (Hons) Social Work degree or the MSc Social Work Studies allows you to register as a qualified social worker across the UK.
Common areas that social studies graduates enter include:
- civil servant and government employment
- police or prison service
- social work
- housing
- voluntary sector
- human resources
- intelligence analysis
- policy advocacy
- research
Social Studies research
100% of our research impact in Social Work and Social Policy was assessed as world leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014).
Our academic researchers in Social Studies engage with communications around the globe and their research makes a positive difference to society. Theoretical and applied research is carried out in many different areas including:
- child welfare and protection
- housing studies
- social survey and social statistics
- public services and governance
Find out more about research in the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Postgraduate research opportunities
Join our dynamic and research-led Faculty of Social Sciences to address key challenges in society. See our Social Studies PhD and Doctorate opportunities in the areas of:
Centre for Child Wellbeing and Protection
A research centre which delivers excellent academic research with children, young people and families.
Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research
Formed in 2017 to take forward the Salvation Army (TSA) Drug and Alcohol Strategy (SDAS).