School of Business Enterprise Undergraduate Students | UWS | University of the West of Scotland

Overview

Delivered via the Undergraduate School, the BA Social Sciences is a unique partnership between UWS and New College Lanarkshire.   

Social justice, power and inequalities are the central themes of the BA (Hons) in Social Sciences. The first two years of this programme equip you with a firm grounding in the essential disciplines of politics, policy and sociology. After this, you can choose to follow one of three specialist pathways:  

  • Politics and Policy  
  • Sociology and Policy  
  • Sociology  

Investigating social and political change, you will explore both how we understand society and how we can change it for the better, developing your critical thinking alongside a wide range of research and transferable skills that are highly valued by the public, private and voluntary sectors. 

Course highlights

  • You will investigate the driving forces behind and potential solutions to complex local and global challenges in society, using a range of theoretical lenses and research methods. 
  • Specialist pathways will provide you with the opportunity for in-depth exploration of social issues such as activism, migration, gender, nationalism, and international relations. 
  • You will develop your understanding and experience of social sciences as a creative problem solver, drawing on cutting-edge research, policy analysis and evaluation. 
  • You will work with expert academic staff by choosing your own preferred course theme, completing an in-depth independent research project in your Honours year.

Careers

Graduates from the BA (Hons) Social Sciences programme are equipped with highly sought-after skills, entering careers in:  

  • Politics, such as working as or with elected representatives 
  • Public services, such as housing and planning  
  • Policy and academic research Health and social care  
  • Private sector employment
  • Teaching in primary and secondary schools  

You will be well positioned to undertake further study at Masters level, including UWS programmes such as:  

  • MSc Applied Social Science 
  • Master of Public Administration (MPA)  
  • MSc Policy Analysis and Global Governance 

Entry requirements

Year 2 Entry: SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Social Sciences; Social Studies with B in Graded Unit SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Social Sciences; Social Studies  

 

 

Year 3 Entry: SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Social Sciences; Social Studies with BB in Graded Unit 

Apply Directly to NCL

If you are applying only to the BA Social Sciences programme, please apply directly to NCL.

 

Apply directly to NCL

Undergraduate Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for this course 2025/26

Scottish

£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£15,500 per year of study

More on tuition fees and funding

Other course options available

BA (Hons) in Social Sciences - UWS Lanarkshire and Paisley campuses

Get in touch

Do you have a question about applying to this course? Get in touch, we're here to help!

 

ask@uws.ac.uk

 

0800 027 1000 (UK)

 

+44 (0) 141 849 4101 (out-with the UK) 

We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.