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SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

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SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

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The Office for International Relations co-ordinates the admission, administration and support for international students throughout the course of their studies at SETU Waterford.

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SETU Waterfordis recognised as the leading research performer in the institute of technology sector with research activities that are internationally benchmarked, strategic, and economically relevant. Find out about the amazing multi disciplinary research under way

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Code
SE920
Delivery
Fulltime
Cao points
🛈 282 - 602
Level
8
Campus
Cork Road
Duration
3 years
Credits
180 ECTS
Study Abroad
Yes
International Applications
Accepted
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What is the BA (Hons) in Social Science Course?

The BA (Hons) Social Science is a multi-disciplinary three year course. In times of rapid social and economic change, this programme offer students the opportunity to understand and critically analyse contemporary Irish society and Ireland’s place in an increasingly globalised world.

This course draws on core Social Science disciplines such as; Social Policy, Sociology, Psychology, Economics and Politics, with an emphasis on Social Research and Social Studies in Context. 

The implications of and responses to social problems for marginalised and vulnerable members of society are central to this programme.

Special Feature of BA (Hons) in Social Science Course

Students are offered an opportunity to take elective modules in Semesters, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Students may select from a wide range of modules such as (but not limited to) Personal & Professional Development; Social Care, Organisational Studies. Probation, Policing and the Police, and Sociology of Deviance.

If you are open-minded, interested in tackling some of the key issues of our time, and want to develop skills to think differently about and understand our complex world – then Social Science is for you!

The programme is structured to provide students with the opportunity to gain a solid academic foundation in a range of related disciplines. The programme is also structured to enable students to develop their critical understanding of the applied nature of social science, and the importance of social research in critical inquiry and analysis of contemporary society.

The programme emphasises the importance of inter-disciplinarity. These pillars of learning (theory, application, research and integration) are the focus of this programme.

Year 1
Semester 1Semester 2
Introduction to PsychologyIntroduction to Social Psychology
Social Policy, Poverty and Social ExclusionIrish Social Policy
Introduction to Sociological ProblemsDevelopmental Psychology
Critical Thinking and Academic SkillsDevelopment of the Irish Welfare State
Irish Society and the MediaIreland: Race, Nation, Ethnicities
Introduction to politics in the Irish contextIntroduction to Research
Year 2
Semester 3Semester 4
Social Research MethodologiesDissertation Proposal
Foundations of Ethics: Philosophical and TheologicalMacroeconomic Environment
Citizenship, Social Justice and RightsModern Social Theory
Classical Social TheorySociology of Gender
Economics of the MarketThe Politics of Welfare
Elective ModulesElective modules
Year 3
Semester 5Semester 6
Data Analysis in Social ResearchComparing Social Policies
Dissertation 1 Social Science Dissertation 2 Social Science
Psychology and CrimeEconomic Sociology
Social Studies in Context 1Social Ethics
The EU and GlobalisationSocial Studies in Context 2
Elective ModuleElective module

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA (Hons) in Social Science

2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7

 

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BA (Hons) in Social Science

 

BA (Hons) in Social Science Career Opportunities

The BA (Hons) Social Science offers graduates a wide variety of career opportunities such as Social Research, Policy Analysis, Human Resources, Administration and Social Work in Government and Non-governmental agencies. Some career options require further postgraduate qualifications and this programme provides an ideal pathway into a range of postgraduate options.

Follow on Study for Social Science Graduates

Graduates may proceed to postgraduate study, either research or taught, at SETU Waterford or other their-level colleges.

SETU felt like a home away from home for Social Science graduate Aífe

SETU felt like a home away from home for Social Science graduate Aífe

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Students supporting students: P2P programme mentors recognised for helping first years settle in to college

Students supporting students: P2P programme mentors recognised for helping first years settle in to college

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Podcast : Social Justice Matters | The MA in Social Justice and Public Policy 2022

Podcast : Social Justice Matters | The MA in Social Justice and Public Policy 2022

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Panel of speakers with experience of Irish care system lead diversity/inclusion seminar at WIT

Panel of speakers with experience of Irish care system lead diversity/inclusion seminar at WIT

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Five degrees you didn’t know you could study in Waterford

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Combine travel with study at SETU Waterford: Find out how and why

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Danielle’s passion for change fuelled her drive for education at SETU

Danielle’s passion for change fuelled her drive for education at SETU

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Attending both Try Science and Try Law events helped Orla with CAO

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New hub to help grow Waterford student entrepreneurial potential launched

New hub to help grow Waterford student entrepreneurial potential launched

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Arts lecturer listed as one of the winners of the Fish Short Story Prize 

Arts lecturer listed as one of the winners of the Fish Short Story Prize 

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How to pick the right ‘social’ course from WIT’s School of Humanities

How to pick the right ‘social’ course from WIT’s School of Humanities

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Student mentors awarded for supporting transition to third level

Student mentors awarded for supporting transition to third level

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Student story: Chloe Manning

Student story: Chloe Manning

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Advice from our mature students to others

Advice from our mature students to others

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Online resource on Magdalene history launched for senior cycle students

Online resource on Magdalene history launched for senior cycle students

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World Children’s Day: a reflection on 30 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

World Children’s Day: a reflection on 30 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

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Social Science student awarded a place on Washington Ireland Program

Social Science student awarded a place on Washington Ireland Program

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WIT and the Shona Project: Empowering Young Women

WIT and the Shona Project: Empowering Young Women

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MBS graduate says strong work ethic and commitment required for study

MBS graduate says strong work ethic and commitment required for study

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In the news: Is it time to cut back on criticism?

In the news: Is it time to cut back on criticism?

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Social Science graduate helped support mature students at WIT

Social Science graduate helped support mature students at WIT

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Screening of documentary contributes to new way of thinking

Screening of documentary contributes to new way of thinking

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Social science leads to rewarding role in students’ union

Social science leads to rewarding role in students’ union

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Sports Scholarship Spotlight: Jennifer Logue

Sports Scholarship Spotlight: Jennifer Logue

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Report on welfare reforms harming our economy & society

Report on welfare reforms harming our economy & society

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WIT student awarded at Global Undergraduate Awards

WIT student awarded at Global Undergraduate Awards

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10 things to make you fall in love with Waterford

10 things to make you fall in love with Waterford

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Sue tells us how WIT has opened up a world of possibilities for her

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Beat 102-103 and WIT team up to reduce CAO final decisions stress

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Celebration of staff Excellence at Waterford Institute of Technology

Celebration of staff Excellence at Waterford Institute of Technology

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WIT Digital Champions build digital literacy capacity

WIT Digital Champions build digital literacy capacity

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WIT has place on Washington Ireland Programme for fourth year in a row

WIT has place on Washington Ireland Programme for fourth year in a row

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Joe Moran Discusses: We need to learn from Irish programme for Kosovar refugees

Joe Moran Discusses: We need to learn from Irish programme for Kosovar refugees

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Report: welfare payments should be automatic entitlements

Report: welfare payments should be automatic entitlements

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This is no time to rest on our laurels in making a true equal society

This is no time to rest on our laurels in making a true equal society

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President Michael D. Higgins opens the Economy & Society Summer school

President Michael D. Higgins opens the Economy & Society Summer school

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Contact

Course Leader
Michael Tobin
Mr. Michael Tobin
Lecturer in Social Policy and Social Care
[email protected]

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