Social Sciences

Social sciences is an umbrella discipline that brings together the systematic study of human behaviour, social structures and the relationships between individuals and the societies they inhabit. It draws on sociology, economics, political science, psychology, anthropology and other disciplines to address the full range of questions about how social life is organised, how power operates, how cultures differ and what drives social change. A degree in social sciences develops the ability to think rigorously and empirically about human affairs, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather and interpret evidence.

At University College London, this three-year full-time programme benefits from one of the UK's strongest social science research environments. UCL's social science departments are internationally recognised for the quality of their research and teaching, and the programme gives you access to faculty engaged at the forefront of their disciplines. The typical entry tariff for this programme is around 152 UCAS points, reflecting the high academic standard expected at UCL.

You will study across the core social science disciplines, developing breadth of understanding in the early years before focusing more narrowly on particular areas of interest as the programme progresses. Social science research methods, including both statistical analysis and qualitative approaches such as ethnography and interview research, are central to the degree. You will engage with theory in sociology, economics, political science and beyond, developing the conceptual frameworks needed to analyse social phenomena rigorously.

UCL's London location gives the programme access to an unparalleled range of social, political and cultural phenomena to study.

Graduates of social sciences degrees work in public policy, social research, the civil service, international organisations, NGOs, journalism, management consulting, finance, technology, education and a wide range of other sectors. The combination of analytical rigour, quantitative competence and the capacity to think critically about social structures is valued by employers across virtually every sector of the economy. Postgraduate study in sociology, economics, political science, public policy, criminology or related fields is a natural next step for those who wish to specialise.