Course overview

Our BA (Hons) Social Studies Degree (part-time) is designed to give a broad knowledge and understanding of the academic subjects which constitute the social sciences. These include sociology, health and social policy, business studies, economics, lifelong learning and politics.

You will choose to specialise in one discipline and this becomes your main subject throughout your studies.

Entry requirements

Flexible entry requirements, consideration given for non-traditional qualifications, work skills and life experience. Applicants are normally interviewed by a member of the course team.

Core modules

While this degree offers flexibility, students are advised to complete 120 credits of Level 4 modules prior to Honours Level (5 and 6) study in order to prepare well for this.

On this degree, you will study a core module at each level

• Level 4 Foundations in Social Studies
• Honours Level 5 Research Methods in the Social Sciences
• Honours Level 6 Dissertation

For information on the modules you can take, please visit: Undergraduate Modules

Subjects to study

• Business Studies
• Health and Social Policy
• Lifelong Learning
• Politics
• Sociology

Any of these subjects can be studied as your main area. There are core level-4 modules for each subject, which serves as prerequisites or foundations for you to study at Honours level. As you will only study four of these modules, some care must be exercised about choosing which ones you take. We will provide guidance on this.

For more information on CLL modules, please visit: CLL Undergraduate Modules

Optional modules

There is an extensive range of optional modules and choose from alongside your core modules.

In addition to the core modules you will also take some optional modules and there is an extensive range on offer on this degree. You can choose CLL modules from the subjects listed above and you can also take modules from the Language Centre and the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning (IATL).

Each department has an undergraduate module webpage which details the modules on offer.

Day-time and evening study

Modules are offered face-to-face on the university campus. The evening choice is limited and some modules are only offered in the day-time. The Warwick Business School and Departments of Economics, Philosophy and Politics, for example, offer daytime classes only.

How to apply

Applications are now open for September 2023 start.

Applications will close on Thursday 31 August 2023. Apply now. Prior to your application, read our Application Tips for Part-time Undergraduate Courses.

Fees and funding

The University will charge Home students £1,540 for each 30 credit module in 2023/24. Fees for subsequent years of the course have yet to be confirmed.

See part-time UG student fees and funding for more information and view potential additional fees.

The University of Warwick is not currently sponsoring students on part time or distance learning courses with a Tier 4 visa and so if you require a visa to study a part time/distance learning course in the UK which is longer than 6 months, you may wish to consult the 'right to study' page on our Student Immigration & Compliance website: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/international/immigration/othervisas/whatvisa before you make an application.

Further information

Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information and our Conditions of OfferLink opens in a new window document for more information on when you accept a place with the University.

Career prospects

Your course and university experience will give you skills that can be transferred to a wide variety of careers. Such skills include communication, persuasion, analytical and problem-solving skills, time management and working under pressure. All these are very desirable to employers. As many graduate jobs are open to students from all degree subjects, there is a wide range of career possibilities. For example, jobs in marketing, finance and HR. You could also work in a range of sectors such as arts, culture and recreation, energy and utilities, public services and transport.

Here are just some of the new careers our graduates have chosen to pursue:

• Social research and policy: social researcher, policy officer
• Charity and not for profit: Fundraising associate, volunteer co-ordinator
• Social justice and community engagement: Community development worker, youth worker, housing manager, charity worker
• Law: Paralegal, solicitor, police officer, probation officer
• Education: Teacher, careers adviser, education administrator, learning mentor
• Arts (media) and culture: Journalist, marketing executive, public relations officer

Some students choose to stay with us for further study, on courses such as MA Coaching, MSc Psychotherapy and Counselling and MA Career Development and Coaching Studies

Will you definitely help get my idea launched/accepted?

The Innovation Support service does not guarantee every idea will be implemented – in fact, the majority will not make it through to final implementation.

Most ideas make complete sense when considered in isolation, but often cannot take account of the complexities and practicalities of the full environment. Many ideas cannot overcome the challenges of real-world practicalities.

The Innovation Support service cannot guarantee every idea is accepted or implemented – however it can guarantee that ideas that generate sufficient positive support are fully considered and tested against realities. It will also attempt to develop ideas to overcome any obstacles identified. It cannot guarantee implementation, but it can guarantee full consideration.