The Bachelor of Science (Social Sciences)

College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies

BSc (Social Sciences) Programme Overview and Details

“It’s a mark of our humanity that we want to understand how we live in society!”

See the World Differently!

Do you see yourself at the forefront of tackling some of the most crucial and pressing social, ecological and economic issues of our times? Do you regard yourself as ambitious and driven with a strong tendency for leadership, innovation and thinking and acting differently about local, national and global issues? Then the BSc (Social Sciences) degree programme at the University of Galway is for you!

This programme – which began in 2017 - is aimed at motivated school leavers and mature students with a strong penchant towards the study of fundamental issues and concerns for Social Sciences. The programme strongly focusses on the applied nature of the Social Sciences and equips students with practical research skills, in addition to focussing on career development and readiness, and further educational opportunities. There is an internship and dissertation or project component to the programme giving students real-world experience and knowledge of working in areas of Social Scientific inquiry. The growth in interdisciplinary study and research is building knowledge and the national capacity to respond to complex societal challenges providing new solutions that cannot be provided by one discipline alone. This innovative transdisciplinary degree programme draws on key strengths of Schools and Disciplines right across the College of Arts, Research Institutes and Centres, and innovation and entrepreneurship programmes across the University. Supporting and advocating the value of Social Scientific research to key decision-makers and policy designers, in addition to community activism and advocacy, forms an intrinsic part of the programme ethos.

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Some Key Facts About the Course

Entry Requirements Leaving Certificate: Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at 06/H7 to include Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes
Duration 4 years
Next start date September 2023
A Level Grades CCC or equivalent combination
Average intake 50 students
CAO code GY123
CAO Points (2022) 348
How to apply CAO website

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Course Outline

The BSc (Social Sciences) programme is a modular degree combining core and elective modules. The programme draws from a number of key existing modules that are cognate to Social Scientific inquiry and study. New, comprehensive, and innovative modules are always under development, which strongly focus on enhancing student’s contemporary knowledge, research skills and employability, both nationally and internationally. Students are given a broad understanding of the Social Sciences in years one and two, undertake an internship with an NGO or SME in year three, and choose a specific study pathway in year four that is most appropriate to their requirements and future employability or continuing education needs. Students choose from the following study pathways: 1) Environmental Social Studies (ESS), 2) Politics, Society & Identity, 3) Community Engagements & Development or, 4) Culture, Creativity & Enterprise.

Working together as a team

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Further Education or Carreers

Working on a laptop

Graduates of the BSc (Social Sciences) programme are equipped with the talents, knowledge, and experience to undertake a wide range of research-based or taught postgraduate programmes. With its strong focus on the applied nature of the Social Sciences, students undertaking the programme develop very practical contemporary skills that are immensely advantageous to the broad range of postgraduate opportunities available. The University offers an array of taught master’s degree and postgraduate diploma programmes of interest to Social Sciences graduates. In the past number of years, the College has also pioneered the development of structured PhD programmes which combine the traditional research dissertation of the PhD with generic and discipline-specific training modules designed to enhance students’ skills and employability. The internship in year three of the programme is an invaluable asset in the toolkit of graduates of the Social Sciences programme.

The BSc (Social Sciences) equips students with the skills to pursue a career in a wide range of roles as civic leaders in the cultural, social, intellectual, and economic development locally, nationally, and internationally. We aim to educate students who, as graduates, are able to demonstrate a capacity for independent critical thinking, innovative problem solutions, creativity and innovation, dynamic team-working, socially responsible leadership, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Some of the growing possible careers for graduates can be seen below:

Possible careers after graduation

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Why Choose This Course?

Students who choose the BSc (Social Sciences) degree programme at the University of Galway are innovators and potential leaders seeking to understand and tackle the most demanding social, ecological and economic issues in contemporary society. They are frontrunners in informed decision-making pursuing accurate and truthful solutions to global issues and concerns based on fundamentally sound empirical research. The programme gives students the tools to address and tackle these grand societal concerns and problems. Social Science graduates offer a wide range of skills that are invaluable to present-day employers across the public, private, and third sectors. These include the ability to understand complex issues in a holistic manner, on individual and cultural and societal levels; research, analyse, and evaluate data critically; question assumptions; understand people, institutions, and their relationships; understand processes of change; make reasoned arguments; communicate concisely and clearly, and solve pressing problems.

See the World Differently!

The BSc (Social Sciences) programme offers clear pathways that lead to an array of career opportunities across a wide range of interests including governmental, agency and business sectors. Guidance will be offered throughout the programme to ensure students are undertaking the most appropriate modules for their own personal career goals and development. Careers post-graduation include (but are not limited to); Irish and international NGO’s, Agencies and authorities at local, national, EU and international levels, Social Work, Public Service, Politics, Irish Aid Programmes, Community Work, Security and Crime Prevention, Contemporary Urban Planning, Environmental & Sustainability Policy, International Development, Human Resource Management, Business and Industry, Marketing, Industrial Relations, Journalism, Media and Social Research. Moreover, with its emphasis on broad societal contemporary challenges, the programme offers new and existing opportunities for students to develop careers right across business, industry and commerce, working with private sector companies, SMEs and multinationals, by proving unique understandings of innovation and entrepreneur processes and practices.

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Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,738 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Tuition

€2,598 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Non EU

€17,360 p.a. 2023/24

EU Fees 203/24

- Tuition: may be paid by the Irish Government on your behalf (see more information on the free fee initiative here)
- Student Contribution: €3,000 - payable by all students but may by paid by SUSI if you apply and are deemed eligible for a means tested SUSI grant
- Student Levy: €140 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.

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Find Out More

Dr Mike Hynes

BSc (Social Sciences) Programme Coordinator
Room 323, 2nd Floor
School of Political Science & Sociology
Áras Moyola, Central Campus, University of Galway, H91 TK33
T: +353 91 49 5104
E: mike.hynes@universityofgalway.ie


After graduation students have the opportunity to continue their studies at the University of Galway and gain a competitive edge and improve their career prospects...

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