Applied Social Science
Why study Applied Social Science?
The study of applied social science provides students with an academic grounding in social science alongside an applied understanding of its relevance to contemporary society.
What will I learn in Applied Social Science?
You'll gain a foundation of knowledge and understanding of intellectual traditions, theoretical perspectives and debates in social science. Over three years of study you'll be introduced to a broad range of theories, research and applications, engaging with progressively more complex understanding of key debates and critical thinking. This means that you’ll come away from this degree with key transferable academic and life skills, not just knowledge about a subject.
You’ll begin by developing critical understanding in four key areas over the first two years:
- Criminology
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Psychology
Once your understanding of these foundations is complete, the third year brings opportunities to look in more depth at these areas or different options including environmental issues, housing or addiction studies.
Placements
The design of the Applied Social Science degree gives scope for you to apply the understanding you develop to questions of specific interest to you in Research Project and Dissertation modules. There is a placement module in second year in which you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have developed to real world situations in various organisations and agencies.
Skills and support
We have an outstanding reputation for both tuition and student support in these subjects. You can expect a good deal of assistance from the lecturers, especially in the first year as you make the transition to university-level education.
Our intention is that our students become independent learners, developing transferable skills such as becoming a skilled reader, writer and debater with enhanced skills of analysis and of critical and creative thinking.
To be successful in your studies you will also need to develop skills of personal organisation and self-motivation.
Who will teach me?
Lecturers in Applied Social Science and Sociology are centrally involved in research and debate across their fields of expertise. This is reflected in their teaching, making it informed and relevant.
Career options
Career paths from social sciences are extremely transferable, and successful graduates will have the potential for success in a wide range of areas and you may also be able to apply for postgraduate teacher training or continue your studies.
Key staff
"Applied social science has been a great passion of mine from school days – it answers questions about society that always seem to be lacking anywhere else; questions such as why it is that certain people are defined as ‘dangerous’ while others are said to be ‘deserving’, and that these definitions are not static but change over time. Social Science takes bits from all the ‘ologies’. This interesting degree incorporates sociology, criminology, psychology as well as social policy – the applied part of the degree. There is never a right or wrong answer, just a different way of looking at things and because of this it encourages debate and develops an interest in the world around us. It is the most suitable of studies for conspiracy theorists among us."
Marylynn Fyvie-Gauld, course leader, Applied Social Science