Program Overview

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If you’re looking to change the world, our BA Social Change is designed for you. With increasing awareness of global issues, there has never been a more vital time to contribute meaningfully to social change. In this course, you’ll tackle issues from ethics to sustainability and gain a historical perspective on the forces that have shaped our multicultural and interconnected world. On this flexible degree, you’ll broaden your knowledge whilst acquiring the tools required to address today’s pressing social problems, transform society and make a positive change in an increasingly globalised world. Through social action projects and by participating in group community projects, you’ll gain practical experiences and develop the high-level transferrable skills required to make a real-world difference. Along the way, you’ll build the skills needed to take on global challenges as an effective social change leader. BA Social Change will equip you with the theoretical and practical skills required of a future change-maker. Throughout the course you’ll cover key areas including but not limited to:

• Community engagement
• Sustainability
• Human rights
• Social justice
• Individualism

Based within our Interdisciplinary Studies Centre (ISC), this course enables you to explore social change across multiple disciplinary perspectives. The flexible structure of this course allows you to choose a range of optional modules across sociology, philosophy, history, politics, human rights, literature and more. Why we're great.

• You can tailor your degree to suit your unique interests and goals by choosing from a range of modules.
• Our courses can also be taken as a four-year option including a year of study abroad or a work placement.
• You are taught by a team of international experts in a range of subjects.

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond our University campus. We support you in this by providing the option of an additional year. The five-year version of our degree allows you to spend the fourth year studying abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the four-year course. Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university

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Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement year with an external organisation, where you learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Student Development Team .

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Our expert staff

We are a team of internationally recognised writers and lecturers with expertise across the arts, humanities and social sciences. You are taught by a highly qualified, enthusiastic team with wide-ranging research interests and a proven academic scholarship. Our staff teach in departments across the University, and specialise in a wide range of topics including literature, film, history of art, history, politics and sociology. Current research explores indigenous experiences of colonialism, public sociology, nature writing, contemporary world cinema, wealth inequalities, environmental humanities, and community activism.

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Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our extensive learning resources to assist you in your studies:

• A comprehensive student support system which will direct you to the best source of advice and support in the case of personal or academic difficulties
• Access a variety of textbooks and journals in the Albert Sloman Library
• Attend an exciting programme of events

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Your future

Through BA Social Change you’ll gain an all-round education, acquiring a diverse set of skills and a wide range of knowledge. As a flexible and creative thinker and doer, you will be able to adapt to a rapidly evolving world of work. Our course provides you with an excellent basis for going onto a career in charity, fundraising, PR and the media, law, government and more. We also work with the university's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.