What is special about this course?

Are you curious about how society works and how and why people interact with one another in the way they do? If the answer is yes, then the BA (Hons) Social Sciences degree is for you.  Here you will study society, its people and institutions, which will give you an insight into the everyday life of our communities and workplaces.

You will focus on sociology, politics and psychology and develop transferable skills in problem solving, group working and communication which are highly valued by employers. There is strong emphasis on research methods which will give you the skills necessary to carry out independent research for your future career, including your dissertation in the fourth year.

There are also other options available to you including history and criminology.

Special features

• You will develop your research and methodological skills, which you can take with you into your future career
• You can specialise in particular disciplines as you progress through your studies
• You can study full time or part time to suit your personal circumstances
• You can study individual modules for personal or professional development

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

Entry to year one:

• 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, or
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• At least two should be from the list of relevant academic subjects
• Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis

Advanced entry to year two:

• HNC Social  Science (12 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF credits at level 7 which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit will be considered for direct entry to year two.
   

Access routes

Any recognised Access to HE course.

Year 1 - CertHE

The core modules are

• Foundations of research

Plus one politics module:

• Introduction to politics or
• Ideas and ideologies in politics or
• Evolving politics of the British Isles

One sociology module:

• Making social lives Or
• Understanding the social world Or
• Family studies

One Psychology module:

• Psychology A
• Psychology B

You will also choose two option module from our range of humanities subjects

Year 2 - DipHE

The core modules are

• Qualitative research methods

Plus two modules from your first discipline and two modules from your second, from te following options

• Comparing political systems or
• History of political ideas or
• Scottish politics before and after the independence referendum

One sociology module:

• Sociological theory Or
• Belief, culture and community Or

One Psychology modules

• Social and evolutionary psychology Or
• Practical research and analysis skills

You will also choose two option module from our range of humanities subjects

Year 3 - BA

Core modules are:

• Advanced social research methods

Plus two modules from your first discipline and two modules from your second, from te following options

Politic

• Challenging liberal democracy: political ideas in a changing world
• European politics
• Devolution, federalism and territorial politics
• Wars in the promised land

Sociology

• Work and society
• Sociology: contemporary Scottish issues
• Gender, crime and justice

Psychology

• Psychology of criminal justice
• Module from the BSc (Hons) Psychology

You will also choose two option module from our range of humanities subjects

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation. Plus two modules from your first discipline and two from your second discipline:

Politics

• Principles and practice of global politics
• Political theory
• Terrorism and unconventional warfare

Sociology

• Transforming regimes in Eastern Europe
• Understanding crime: crime, culture and society
• Restorative justics: ideas and values
• Insider and outsiders in society
• Visual research

Psychology

• Developmental disorders
• Abnormal psychology

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland or the European Union/EEA (outside of the UK) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

*4th year free only for students studying full-time who have paid for the previous 3 years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) -  £1,340 (2017-18) and £1,500 (2018-19).

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living whilst studying.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

**There is no part-time study option for Tier 4 sponsored international students.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time RUK and International undergraduate students for continuous and contiguous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact your enrolling college for more information.