Starting at the University
Information for new MA (Social Sciences) undergraduates
Welcome to the MA (Social Sciences) degree programme, within the College of Social Sciences, at the University of Glasgow. The range of Social Sciences degree subjects open to you in Single Honours, Joint Honours and the three-year general degree offer the opportunity to study a variety of topics giving both a breadth of study and the chance to specialise in your areas of interest.
These notes are designed as a guide to the services available while you are at the University and to ensure you can make the best use of your time while you are here.
The Advising Service
The Advising Service is designed to support you throughout your degree with both curricula advice and with any other problems you may encounter. All undergraduate students are allocated to an Adviser of Studies on starting at the University and will generally have the same Adviser throughout their course. An Adviser performs a similar function to that of a Guidance teacher in school or college and if you have any difficulties at any time suring your studies you should contact your Adviser of Studies. S/he can help with many problems and can advise on accessing other University support services such as accommodation or financial assistance, the counselling service, Study skills, etc. Your Adviser is also the person who will set you on course for a graduating curriculum, and who can answer any queries in respect of the University or degree regulations.
The first source of information is your Adviser but in unusual circumstances you may wish to see the Chief Adviser and you may make an appointment ot see him by contacting the College Student Support Office in Florentine House (tel: 0141 330 4098 or email: socsci-MA@glasgow.ac.uk). General advice is also available from the College Student Support Office.
MA (Social Sciences) degree regulations
The MA (Social Sciences) degree has a common structure for the first two years. The decision on which degree you will take, Single or Joint Honours or the three-year general degree, is taken at the end of the second year. All undergraduates should make an effort to find out about the MA (Social Sciences) degree regulations by reading the University Calendar extract for the Master of Arts (Social Sciences) degree. A layout for the degree structure can be found here.
Student support
Student Learning Service
The College's Effective Learning Adviser is Barbara Weightman, who organises workshops during term-time, and with whom a student can have an individual hourly appointment, made through the Student Learning Service.
University Counselling & Psychological Services
Unfortunately, some students do encounter serious problems for a variety of reasons over which they may have no control. The University has Counselling & Psychological Services, to which your Adviser can direct you for assistance.
Financial support
Extra or emergency financial support may be available to students from Registry. The main sources of financial support are:
- Undergraduate awards and loans
- Student Hardship Fund
- Access Funds