Social Sciences examine the world we live in – from the way we think and behave to the decisions that shape our social and political environment. Applied research, collaboration with industry professionals and work-related learning combine to ensure we equip you with the right skills for your future career.

Our School recently celebrated 50 years of Social Science education at UWS and its legacy institutions. Harnessing our School’s comprehensive range of teaching, research and enterprise expertise, we continue to build upon our considerable pedigree in Social Science to meet the contemporary needs of our students and communities. We are committed to understanding the world around us, shaping the thinking of stakeholders and policy makers and transforming communities.

We offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in subjects including Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Careers Guidance, Contemporary Drug and Alcohol Studies, Public Administration, and Policy Analysis and Governance. We also offer full and part-time research degree programmes of study.

Being committed to issues around Social Justice, our staff are recognised internationally for their research work which covers a wide range of areas from gang culture to anti-poverty work through our partnership with Oxfam. All of our research underpins our teaching which means our students benefit directly from our expertise in a variety of fascinating and relevant areas.

Students Discussing Social Sciences Subject Support | UWS | University of the West of Scotland

Undergraduate study

A UWS social science degree will develop your analytical, interpretative and communication abilities – skills which are highly sought after by employers.

With practical experience opportunities, study abroad options and professional recognition offered on selected programmes, a UWS social science degree provides a firm foundation for your next step.

We offer the following undergraduate programmes:

To prepare you for your future career, we continually ensure that we have close working relationships with an extensive range of employers and professional bodies in the social and healthcare sectors, local and central government, education, and the private and not-for-profit (third) sectors.

Our programmes are contemporary and world-relevant as we have excellent links with professional bodies and develop our programmes in line with their accreditation standards.

Research carried out by our staff underpins all of our teaching activity, which means you will directly benefit from our extensive expertise in a variety of fascinating, relevant areas. Our research outputs span academic publications and a range of contributions to official reports.

Our aim is to give all of our students the opportunity to benefit from an international experience. This may be in person, as part of one of our exciting exchange programmes, or as part of an online community through our participation in the COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) partnership. Our students have gained first-hand experience of social work practice in Laos and taken part in a criminal justice exchange programme with students from the USA

Students Completing National Student Survey (NSS) | UWS | University of the West of Scotland

Postgraduate study

Practical, flexible and designed to fit around your existing commitments – many of our programmes are available part-time.

We offer the following postgraduate programmes:

Selected programmes carry professional accreditation/recognition – see programme webpages for details.

We have close working relationships with an extensive range of employers and professional bodies in the social and healthcare sectors, local and central government, education, and the private and not-for-profit (third) sectors, which means our programmes are contemporary and relevant to the professions. These include the Scottish Government and Age Concern Scotland.

Research carried out by staff is published internationally, shapes official reports and influences policy. Our research also underpins all our teaching activity, which means you’ll benefit directly from our expertise in a variety of fascinating, relevant areas.

We have a range of specific areas of research expertise, which include:

  • Health and inequality
  • Migration and refugee studies
  • Public services reform and public policy
  • Environmental psychology
  • Alcohol and drug policy
  • Policing and criminal justice
Last updated: 21/03/2024