Course Overview

Over 2000 local adult return learners have graduated on our 2+2 programme.

The degree takes four years to complete. The first two years are at one of our partner colleges, enabling you to gain confidence in coping with academic study, presentation skills and study skills in a local environment. You will then study years three and four at the University of Warwick.

The BA (Hons) Social Studies degree is designed to give a broad understanding of some of the key academic subjects which are normally grouped together under the general term of social studies or social sciences.

These subjects include:

• sociology
• health and social policy
• business studies
• lifelong learning
• gender studies
• politics

When starting a social studies degree, you might be uncertain which area to specialise in. However, you will not need to make this decision immediately. As this is a flexible degree, you spend the first two years on the social studies pathway and then make a decision about which subjects you would like to pursue at the end of year two. You will also have the opportunity to transfer to the BA (Hons) Health and Social Policy degree at this point.

Entry Requirements

Flexible entry requirements, formal qualifications are not required, just evidence of work and life experience and motivation to study. Applicants are interviewed by the course selector. Applications from access students will be welcomed.

Career prospects

Over 2,000 local people have studied on this programme, many without any qualifications, and have gone on to further study or careers in areas such as social work, teaching, local government, the community and voluntary sectors and research.

Year One and Two - Partner Colleges

The degree is divided two stages - Level 4 and Honours Level. Level 4 consists of 120 credits and is studied over the first two years, Honours Level (years three and four) consists of 240 credits and is studied over the final two years of the degree.

In the first two years you will study modules in sociology, politics, research, and health and social policy at a partner college. These modules will introduce you to key theorists and concepts in these connected subject areas that seek to understand and explain our experiences, values and changes in society. These modules are studied at an appropriate pace through consideration of a wide range of issues that affect our everyday lives including poverty, inequality, health, power, and global and domestic politics to name just a few

Year Three and Four - On Campus

At Warwick in years three and four you will have the opportunity to explore some of these issues in further depth and to also choose from a wide range of modules in subjects as varied as counselling, social work, mindfulness, business studies, coaching, gender studies, social policy, and lifelong learning. The core (i.e compulsory) modules are listed below:

Year three - Research Methods in the Social Sciences. This module is worth 30 credits and develops a detailed understanding of the nature and principles of methods that are applied to research projects.

Year four - Dissertation (normally in Lifelong Learning ). Here you will directly apply to understand gained in Research Methods to an in-depth research project designed by you and supervised by a member of the teaching staff. This module is worth 30 credits.

How to apply

Applications for 2019 will open soon. Previously, applications have been made via paper applications and online.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for Home/EU Students in 2019-20 are as follows:

£6,750

See Student fees and funding for more information and view potential additional fees.

Location and Times

Times of classes will depend on the college attended and modules taken at the University, please contact the relevant college for teaching days and times in years one and two.

• Coventry College

• North Warwickshire and Hinckley College
• Warwickshire College Group - Leamington campus

Further Information

Students enrol on the BA (Hons) Social Studies for two years, and then have the opportunity to transfer to BA (Hons) Health and Social Policy, a more specialised degree, at the beginning of year three.

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