Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
BA (Hons) Social Science - Part-time
Overview
The BA (Hons) in Social Science is a part-time, four-year programme that offers a comprehensive understanding of the interdisciplinary field of social science. This degree is designed for students who wish to progress towards a career in areas such as youth and community work, professional social research, policy analysis/development, or working with disadvantaged and marginalised individuals.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to challenge students to think in a rigorous and scientific way about society and the social processes that feed into how society operates at an institutional, political, and individual level. Students will be guided, trained, and upskilled to carry out their own research and to be aware of how structures and special processes affect our daily lives.
Delivery
This programme is taught on a hybrid basis, with learners timetabled either in-class or online, in a mix of online and in-class days.
Teaching and Assessment
The programme provides a flexible, active, peer-led, experiential, and reflective learning environment for students. Assessment takes a variety of forms, including learning journals, case studies using real-world examples, project work (group/individual), and formal examinations.
Structure
The programme is divided into three levels, with students taking the programme in its entirety. Year 1 provides a solid and comprehensive understanding of the foundational concepts of interdisciplinary field of Social Science, whilst also providing transversal skills embedded in a mix of unique modules. Year 2 covers content in which the knowledge, understanding, and skills acquired in Year 1 are developed and applied. Year 3 focuses on contemporary subjects, with students also undertaking a research project under the guidance of a supervisor.
Career Opportunities
The interdisciplinary nature of this programme will enable students to apply their new knowledge in a variety of contexts and in different sectors of employment. Graduates may pursue careers in areas such as:
- Youth Justice Worker
- Community Welfare Officer
- Community Worker/Community Development Worker
- Education Programme Co-Ordinator
- Equality Officer
- Advice Worker
- Disability Officer
- Press Officer
- Communication Officer
- Project Coordinator
- Project Manager
- Project Worker
Fees
The Course Fees for the BA (Hons) in Social Science are €870 (1 x 10 credit module) / €420 (1 x 5 credit module) per annum.
Entry Requirements
- Standard Applicants: Minimum of 2H5’s and 4 O6/H7, including a language. Some degree programmes may also require a minimum of O6/H7 in Maths.
- Mature Applicants: Over 23 years of age, with relevant work experience and education.
- FETAC Applicants: Minimum admission requirements for graduates of FETAC awards (former NCVA Level 2 or 3) are a full FETAC award in a course in a cognate area with a distinction grade in at least three modules.
Awarding Body
Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
Award
Honours Bachelor Degree
NFQ Level
Level 8
Award Title
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Award Type
Major
Duration
4 Years (2 evenings per week)
Next Intake
September 2025
Categories
- Psychology & Social Science
- Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Arts
- Part-Time
- 8
- Evening Degrees
Related Information
Recognition & Accreditation
Entry Requirements
Student Services
Career Services
All Part-Time Degree Programmes
Programme Modules
Year 1
- Foundations in Social Psychology
- The Sociological Imagination
- Introduction to Social Research
- Psychology through the Lifespan 1
- Social Policy and Law for Social Care 1
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Foundations in Criminology
Year 2
- Economic Sociology
- Criminology in Action - Youth Justice
- Campaigning, Advocacy, and Public Engagement
- Interpersonal and Group Communication Skills
- Advanced Social Research
- Contemporary Inequalities
- Politics in the Modern World
- Social Psychology
- Psychology in Action
Year 3
- Contemporary Criminology
- Cyberpsychology
- Organisational Psychology
- Social Science Research Project
- Sociology of Families, Intimacies and Personal Life
- Contemporary Social Policy in Ireland
- Environment and Society
- Global Issues
Additional Information
- This programme is taught on a hybrid basis, with learners timetabled either in-class or online, in a mix of online and in-class days.
- The programme provides a flexible, active, peer-led, experiential, and reflective learning environment for students.
- Assessment takes a variety of forms, including learning journals, case studies using real-world examples, project work (group/individual), and formal examinations.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
- The BA (Hons) in Social Science is a Level 8, 180 ECTS program designed for students interested in careers working with youth and communities, social research, policy analysis, or who want a broad-based undergraduate education.
- It offers a range of skills and understandings that prepare students for various roles in NGOs, the voluntary sector, and the public sector.
Objectives:
- Provide a strong understanding of core social science areas: Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Social Policy, and Research.
- Develop useful skills for employability: flexibility, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and interpersonal communication.
- Equip students with expertise in areas like group facilitation, campaigning, research, advocacy, public engagement, policy analysis, and social research.
- Prepare graduates for further postgraduate education and research opportunities.
Delivery:
- Hybrid model: students attend classes both in-person and online. ## Outline:
Course Content:
- Year 1: Foundations in Social Psychology, The Sociological Imagination, Introduction to Social Research, Psychology through the Lifespan, Social Policy and Law for Social Care, Critical Thinking Skills, Foundations in Criminology.
- Year 2: Economic Sociology, Criminology in Action - Youth Justice, Campaigning, Advocacy, and Public Engagement, Interpersonal and Group Communication Skills, Advanced Social Research, Contemporary Inequalities, Politics in the Modern World, Social Psychology, Psychology in Action.
- Year 3: Contemporary Criminology, Cyberpsychology, Organisational Psychology, Social Science Research Project, Sociology of Families, Intimacies and Personal Life, Contemporary Social Policy in Ireland, Environment and Society, Global Issues.
Structure:
- Four years, two evenings per week.
- Divided into three levels, taken in its entirety.
- Year 1: foundational concepts.
- Year 2: development and application of knowledge and skills.
- Year 3: contemporary subjects and research project.
Schedule:
- Not explicitly mentioned in the text.
Modules:
- Detailed descriptions of individual modules are not provided in the context. ## Assessment:
- Learning journals
- Case studies using real-world examples
- Project work (group/individual)
- Formal examinations ## Teaching:
- Hybrid model: workshops, practical sessions, tutorials, lectures, sociological experiments.
- Emphasis on student-led learning, problem-solving, and guided feedback.
- Faculty information not provided in the context. ## Careers:
- Opportunities in various sectors: voluntary, social professions, business, finance, etc.
- Career choices influenced by specializations.
- Skills developed applicable to diverse roles.
Examples:
- Youth Justice Worker
- Community worker/development worker
- Education Programme Co-Ordinator
- Equality Officer
- Advice Worker
- Disability Officer
- Press Officer
- Communications Officer
- Project Coordinator
- Project Manager
- Project Worker
- Specific career paths within Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Social Policy, and Research are listed in the context. ## Other:
- The program is approved for tax relief purposes in Ireland.
- Admission requirements and application process are not mentioned in the provided text.
The Course Fees for the BA (Hons) in Social Science are €870 (1 x 10 credit module) / €420 (1 x 5 credit module) per annum. For a full list of part-time undergraduate arts degree fees click here. You can also contact our admissions team who will also be able to advise on the payment options available to our students. All undergraduate programmes of 2 years or more have been approved for tax relief purposes. Tax relief is granted to Irish resident taxpayers at the standard rate of income tax in respect of tuition fees paid exceeding €1,375 and up to €7,000 for part-time programmes only.