Social sciences help us understand people, communities, and the institutions that shape daily life. They cover human behaviour, criminal justice, politics, public policy, law, and social change. They also help explain some of the biggest issues in modern society.
If you want to study social sciences in the UK, you can choose from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate social science degrees. Studying these subjects in a global setting can help you build research, communication, and reasoning skills while preparing for a variety of social science careers.
Social sciences are academic subjects that study how people behave, work together, and build communities.
The field includes:
Each subject looks at society in a different way. Even so, they all rely on research, evidence, and clear analysis.
For example, psychology looks at how people think, feel, and act. Criminology examines crime, justice, and the systems that respond to criminal behaviour. Politics and public policy explore how decisions are made, while social work focuses on the support individuals, families, and communities may need.
This broad mix makes social sciences a flexible choice for students who care about people, current issues, and social change.
The UK brings together people from many cultural, social, and professional backgrounds. That makes it a strong place to study human behaviour and the differences that shape politics, justice, law, and community development.
Learning with students who see the world differently can help you question assumptions and understand other points of view. It can also show how social issues vary across countries and communities.
Social science courses often connect academic learning with current issues.
Depending on your course, you could study:
These topics help you understand why social problems happen. They also show how governments, organisations, legal institutions, and communities can respond.
A social sciences degree is not tied to one career path. Instead, it can help you build skills that are useful in many fields.
You may gain skills in:
These skills can support jobs with a social science degree in government, education, healthcare, charities, research, law, business, communications, and the wider public sector.
The best course depends on the questions you want to explore and the career you want after graduation. When you compare social science degrees in the UK, think about the subjects you enjoy, the level at which you want to study, and the type of work you may want to pursue.
Psychology may suit you if you want to understand how and why people think, feel, and act.
The BSc (Hons) Psychology develops your understanding of human thought and behaviour while introducing psychological theory, research, and real-world applications.
Graduates from other subjects who want to move into psychology may instead consider the MSc Psychology (Conversion). This conversion degree allows graduates to develop the core knowledge needed to progress towards psychology-related careers or further study.
Psychology can lead to opportunities in research, education, healthcare, wellbeing, business, and community services. Some professional psychology careers require further accredited study and supervised experience.
Criminology examines the causes and effects of crime, along with the systems used to prevent and respond to it.
The BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice explores crime, policing, criminal law, justice institutions, and the way societies respond to criminal behaviour.
Students who also want to study human thought and behaviour could choose the BA (Hons) Criminology & Psychology. This combined course explores the relationship between crime, justice, behaviour, and psychological factors.
At postgraduate level, the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice allows you to examine criminological theory and contemporary criminal justice policy and practice in greater depth.
These courses may support careers in policing, probation, prisons, youth justice, community safety, victim support, research, and public policy.
Students interested in government, inequality, political change, or world affairs may be drawn to the MSc Politics and Social Justice.
This course explores political change, globalisation, and social justice. It considers how political and economic choices affect people and communities, as well as how societies respond to inequality and social division.
The MSc Policy Analysis and Global Governance focuses more closely on public policy, international governance, and the organisations working to address complex global challenges.
These subjects can support careers in government, policy analysis, political research, campaigning, international organisations, charities, and public affairs.
Public administration looks at how governments, public bodies, and other organisations deliver services and put policy into action.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) develops knowledge of governance, leadership, policy, and public-service management in a global context.
It may suit people who already work, or hope to work, in government, public services, non-governmental organisations, or international bodies.
Potential career areas include public-service management, local and central government, policy development, programme management, public-sector consultancy, and international administration.
Social work focuses on supporting people through difficult circumstances and helping individuals, families, and communities improve their wellbeing.
The BA (Hons) Social Work combines academic learning with substantial practice placements. It leads to a professional social work qualification and prepares students for the responsibilities of professional practice.
Qualified social workers may work with children, families, adults, people with disabilities, or individuals experiencing mental health, housing, or safeguarding challenges.
A broader social science course may suit you if you want to explore several related subjects rather than focus on a single discipline.
The BA (Hons) Social Sciences provides a broad grounding in social sciences, with pathways covering Politics and Policy, Sociology and Policy, and Sociology.
At postgraduate level, the MSc Applied Social Science develops advanced research skills and a wider understanding of contemporary social and political issues in a global context.
These courses can support careers in research, government, public policy, community development, charities, education, communications, and corporate social responsibility.
Law may be a suitable choice if you are interested in legal systems, justice, rights, and the rules that shape society.
The BA (Hons) Law develops knowledge of Scots law and legal systems while examining the wider social, economic, and political contexts in which law operates.
A law degree can develop strong skills in research, analysis, evidence, negotiation, and written argument. It may support progression towards legal training or careers in government, business, compliance, policy, advocacy, and public services.
Some legal professions require further professional training or qualifications after completing a degree.
Social science graduates can work in the public, private, and voluntary sectors.
Potential career areas include:
Your career options will depend partly on the subject and level you choose. Psychology graduates may progress towards research, wellbeing, or further professional psychology training. Criminology graduates may pursue opportunities in criminal justice or community safety, while politics, policy, and public administration graduates may work in government or public services.
Social work, psychology, and some legal roles may require an accredited course, professional registration, further qualifications, or supervised experience. However, the research, communication, and reasoning skills developed across social science courses can support a wide range of careers.
Social sciences may be a strong choice if you are curious about people and want to understand why society works as it does.
You may enjoy this area if you want to:
You do not need to plan your whole career before you start. Social science degrees cover a broad mix of subjects and can help you identify the topics and social science careers that interest you most.
Studying social sciences in the UK can help you build a deeper understanding of people, institutions, legal systems, and the forces shaping our world.
Whether you are interested in psychology, criminology, politics, public policy, public administration, social work, law, or broader social research, you can choose a course that fits your interests and goals.
Explore our social sciences courses in the UK and discover where your studies could take you.
