BSocSc (Hons) in Social Science

Ireland

What will I learn?

The Bachelor of Social Science degree (BSocSc) invites you to study the social, cultural, psychological, political, and economic influences that shape the world we live in. If you embrace thinking about complicated and multi-layered social issues - such as mental health, children’s rights, education, disability, drugs and alcohol use, racism, sexual identity, housing and homelessness, equality, sustainability, and criminal justice – then Social Science is for you!

Over the course of three years, Social Science students develop highly valuable skills – including argumentation, problem-solving, critical thinking, writing, analytical, and research skills – that enable them to flourish as learners, people, professionals, active citizens, advocates, and activists.

On the Social Science course, you will examine social issues from many perspectives, and study several subjects including Social Policy, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, and Economics. The course is designed on the understanding that this is the first time that most students are encountering the social sciences. As such, students are not expected to have prior knowledge of the various subjects and the first year is focused on introducing you to key concepts and theories.

In the second and third years of the course, you will again take a number of ‘core’ or compulsory modules in social policy, sociology, economics, philosophy, and psychology. You will also be invited to choose (elective) modules of particular interest to you from a large range of possibilities. The course also offers you the chance to develop your practical experience through optional work experience in an organisation of your choice in Ireland or abroad. And, if you are interested in languages, you can also study French, German, Spanish, Italian, or Irish/Gaeilge. This flexibility in design allows you to shape the degree to fit your own specialist interests and career plans.

An exciting and important element of the degree is the opportunity to engage in research about a social issue of special interest to you. Final year students undertake a social research project that they design and carry out with the guidance of an academic and with opportunities to collaborate with local community organisations. Students therefore produce ‘real world’ research that responds to key social issues in the 21st century.

Skills and Careers Information

The Social Science degree is ideally suited to those who are broadly interested in working with people in a social- and community-focused context. Our graduates are employed in a variety of settings and public and voluntary sector organisations, such as community and health services, probation, social care, local government, housing associations, and social service/advocacy groups.

In terms of postgraduate opportunities, a big advantage for Social Science graduates is that they can access a broad range of postgraduate courses in diverse fields including:

* social work

* occupational therapy

* speech and language therapy

* planning and sustainable development

* community and youth work

* social policy and social research

* criminology

* teaching

* marketing and management

* journalism

Students who are interested in person-centred careers – but who may be undecided about what particular area they would like to specialise in – will enjoy space and time to grow and mature and to explore their options. Along the way, the degree enables students to develop valuable transferable professional and academic skills including critical thinking, problem solving, social analysis, writing and research skills.

Which department am I in?

College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

Study options

Full Time (3 years)

Tuition fees
€17,000.00 (15,37,210) per year
EU Student Contribution Charge: €3,000 per annum and the Capitation Fee: €147 per annum; EU Total fee: €5,832

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

Expected January 2026

Venue

UCC Campus

College Road,

Cork,

T12 K8AF, Republic of Ireland

Entry requirements

For international students

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate

Duolingo English Test (DET): DET 120 with a minimum score of 110 in each individual section

IELTS - International English Language Testing System/ IELTS Indicator Test: Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each band

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language - TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Test: Minimum overall score of 90 and minimum of 20 in each section

University of Cambridge: 176+ on the Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English i.e.

Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2) Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2) First Certificate, Grade A (CEFR Level C1)

Pearson PTE Academic: Minimum of 63 (with at least 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section)

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About University College Cork

UCC is an award-winning, world-class teaching and research university with over 170 years of history.

  • Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide
  • Cork is rated as a top ‘cultural & creative city’
  • Over 3,000 international students
  • Over 90% of graduates secure employment after graduating