BA Social Sciences
About this course
BA in Social Sciences, a social sciences degree focused on the theoretical, empirical, and methodological study of contemporary societal issues. Core topics include Programming, Statistics, Research Methods, Project Management, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Design & Creative Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students gain practical experience in addressing challenges such as inequality, injustice, and health while learning how to conduct and apply high-quality research. The first year introduces foundational social science concepts and study skills through compulsory modules like Foundations of Social Science 1, Foundations of Social Science 2, Reading Social Science, and Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics, alongside optional modules covering subjects such as international relations, human geography, and politics. The second year advances research capabilities with compulsory study in Doing Quantitative Research, Doing Qualitative Research, Employability and Engagement, and Doing Mixed Methods Research, paired with optional modules examining oppression, environmental challenges, and political theory. The final year centres on independent original investigation through the Dissertation in Applied Social Sciences, supported by compulsory modules including Collaboration and Dissemination in the Social Sciences and Analysis, evaluation, and interpretation, alongside diverse optional choices spanning global culture wars, artificial intelligence, and restorative justice.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: ABB IB: 33; 32, with B in a social science-based extended essay
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 81%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 30%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 30%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 100%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 110 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 13%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 36%
- East Midlands: 11%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 21%
- South East: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Foundations of Social Science 1
- Foundations of Social Science 2
- Reading Social Science
- Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics
- World Politics
- Crime in Global Context
- Exploring Human Geographies
- Foundations of Criminology
- Sociology of hope, community and social justice
- Social divisions and inequalities: causes, patterns and change
- British Politics
- Cities, People and Urban Design
- Data Visualisation: Coding and Design
- Global Challenges
- Thinking Politically: Key Concepts
- Environment in Action
- Doing Quantitative Research
- Doing Qualitative Research
- Employability and Engagement
- Doing Mixed Methods Research
- Tackling the World's Wicked Problems: theoretical tools and applications
- Political Theory in Practice
- Race, Gender and Crime
- Sustainable Development and Global Justice
- Culture, Space and Difference
- Oppression and Resistance
- Punishment and Penal Policy
- Men, Feminism and Gender relations
- Social Justice and Environmental Challenges
- Understanding 'Race' and Migration
- Dynamics of Social Change and Policy
- Dissertation in Applied Social Sciences
- Collaboration and Dissemination in the Social Sciences
- Analysis, evaluation, and interpretation
- The Ethics of Political Leadership
- Global Culture Wars
- Protest, Movements and Social Change
- Reimagining Care: Families, Services and Policies
- Democracy and Citizenship
- Environmental Justice at a Time of Crisis
- Organised Crime and Illicit Markets
- Youth Crime and Justice
- War, Peace and Justice
- Corporations in Global Politics: Possibilities, Tensions, and Ambiguities
- Algorithms, AI and Society
- Perspectives on inequalities
- Contesting Development
- Creative Geographies
- Police and Policing in a Global Context
- Restorative Justice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social Sciences at University of Sheffield earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,500 and £37,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for Social sciences.
What do graduates of BA Social Sciences at University of Sheffield do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Social Sciences at University of Sheffield?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Social Sciences at University of Sheffield?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
Does BA Social Sciences at University of Sheffield include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Social Sciences at University of Sheffield?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.