Applied Social Sciences

Year 1

The first year of this course is an opportunity to explore introductory social science theories and applications including elements of psychology, sociology, research methods and politics. Additionally you will develop generic academic skills such as writing reports, presenting and study skills.

Year 2

You will build upon the skills developed in year one, by exploring the topics in greater depth and introducing specialist modules. Academic skills will also be developed further.

YEAR 3

This year allows you to tailor your degree by choosing to study specialist modules of interest. There will be one core module that must be taken, and the other seven modules can be chosen from a range of psychology, sociology or politics modules.

Year 4

Your dissertation will be your core module and the remaining modules can be chosen from a range of varied elective choices. This is the final year of the degree and will determine 80% of your Honours classification (20% will be from your Year 3 results).

You will be taught through a wide-variety of teaching methods including formal lectures, seminar activities, group work, project work and directed reading.

In Years 1 and 2 everyone studies the same modules, however in Years 3 and 4 you are given the opportunity to specialise in psychology, sociology or politics by electing to study specific modules. You can choose to specialise, or continue with all three disciplines.

Activity Summary

The activity depends on the module and includes:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• e-Learning activities
• Directed and private study.
• Student led seminars.
• Practical work
• Class discussions

Independent Study

We encourage you to be an independent learner from the start of your course. Each module involves two to three hours of timetabled teaching each week, but you will have considerably more follow-up work beyond this.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Our class sizes are small and this, along with a high level of contact time with staff, enables us to provide a friendly and supportive learning environment.

Our team of academic staff are actively engaged in applied research which underpins the teaching in areas such as drug abuse, homelessness, Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, forensic psychology, the body and political violence. Such research activity ensures that our course is kept current and relevant.

Assessment

Assessment is through a combination of exams and coursework which may be a mix of essays, reports and presentations including:

• Written coursework
• Portfolios
• Exams
• Essays
• Oral presentations
• Case Studies
• Dissertation

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

The Disability & Dyslexia Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

DISABILITY & DYSLEXIA CENTRE

ONLINE LEARNING & SUPPORT

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on-campus or by online distance learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

CampusMoodle

STUDY SKILLS SUPPORT

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

STUDY SKILLS SUPPORT

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

University Library

Study Abroad

During years 2 and 3 you have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions in Poland, Cyprus, Malta, Germany, Vienna and Belgium as part of our Erasmus Exchange Programme. There is also the opportunity to study at the University of Tennessee for one semester. This allows you to enhance your personal development and confidence and benefit from studying your subject in a different culture.

STUDY ABROAD

Job Prospects

Undertaking a course in the social sciences keeps your career options open and offers a wide variety of routes into employment including health and social care management, human resources, the police, education, marketing and PR. Many of our graduates also undertake postgraduate study, enabling them to specialise in a variety of areas including social work, teaching, management and postgraduate research. 95% of our students are in work or study six months after finishing the course (Unistats, 2018).

CAREERS

SQA Higher: BBBB to include a written subject requiring the use of English.

GCE A Level Year 1 entry: BCC to include a written subject requiring the use of English.

GCE A Level Year 2 entry: BBC to include a written subject requiring the use of English.

Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H2H3H3 to include a written subject requiring the use of English.

IB Diploma Year 1 entry: 28 to include a Higher Level written subject requiring the use of English.

IB Diploma Year 2 entry: 29 to include a Higher Level written subject requiring the use of English.

Alternative Qualifications

We welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications to those stated, including SVQs/NVQs, access programmes and overseas qualifications. Applications from students with non-standard qualifications or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants from Partner Colleges

A relevant HNC or HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 2 or 3.

Advanced Entry

All other applicants who are interested in applying for advanced entry will be considered on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

English Language requirements

Our Pre-Sessional English Programme (PSP) is available for students who have not yet reached the required English level and those who would like to improve their language competency.

Pre-Sessional English Programme at RGU

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.