Economic and social history is the study of the way societies change in their economic activities and social organisation. It is concerned with how people in the past lived and worked, and how this has affected the development of today’s world.

Programme structure

You will study economic and social trends from 1750 to the present day, both in Britain and internationally, and with an emphasis on the development of a wide range of transferable skills.

Year 1

You will take two courses around the themes of

• globalisation
• the workplace
• social order and conflict
• gender and the family
• migration and the community
• international economic relations.

You will be introduced to major themes in history, including sources of economic growth and social change, and the international transmission of social and economic trends.

You will also study two other subjects of your choice in year 1: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2

You will study economic and social change in the UK from 1750 onwards, in two courses.

The first course, studying the period 1750-1914, begins with the Industrial Revolution and deals with questions such as why the British economy grew so rapidly and the social consequences of change.

The second course, from 1914 to the present day, analyses many of the same themes in the context of the UK’s economic and social development in the 20th century. The impact of the two World Wars is considered, along with changes in interwar Britain, the rise of the Welfare State and postwar economic decline.

You will also study two other subjects in year 2: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4

If you successfully complete the courses in first and second years you may progress to study for an Honours degree (years 3 and 4). In your Honours years you will be able to choose from a wide range of options covering countries including Germany, India, the USA, Eastern Europe, Scotland and the UK.

Our international links

Career prospects

Glasgow International College

Note

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

MA (SocSci)

Highers: AAAAB (including English or a humanities subject) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAA or AAABB (including English or a humanities subject) at their first sitting WILL receive an offer from the University. This offer may be conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional, depending on how many applications are received from students who have attained these grades.

Additional offers, either conditional or unconditional, MAY be made to applicants who achieved AAAB, AABBB or AABB at their first sitting. A decision re these applications will be made in March 2014 once all applications have been reviewed. 

Applicants who receive an offer conditional on second sitting results will be required to study Advanced Highers in relevant subjects as an integral part of their conditional offer. 

A-levels: AAB.

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

Advanced entry

If you have exceptional A-level or Advanced Higher grades it's possible to gain exemption from Year 1 study and enter directly into Year 2 or follow a faster route advanced entry programme, both of which allow you to complete your degree in one year less than usual. See: Advanced entry

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

• Scholarships