Year 1

You will take two core courses introducing you tohealth studies and social studies. These courses are particularly significant in establishing key conceptual foundations around the varied determinants of health and welfare, and a range of topics within social theory (for example, identity, gender, globalisation and moral panics).

The core courses are complemented by two generic courses that place specific health and social material in a wider context.

Year 2

The second year focuses on more applied and practical considerations. You will take two core courses: Healthcare policy and practice and Social welfare policy and practice. You will also have the chance to study specific courses, for example, Human nature and wellbeing or Technology, health and society.

Year 3

In semester one of your third year you will have the opportunity to work at an advanced academic level in specific topic areas. These are

• Media, health and leisure
• Research methods for social science

In semester two you can choose to undertake either a work placement or a dissertation. The placement gives you the opportunity to apply your skills to a work-based project with a relevant employer. The dissertation provides a chance to undertake in-depth research on a topic of your own interest.

At each level you can also choose from a range of optional courses across other undergraduate disciplines. This gives you a unique chance to add valuable breadth and interest to your degree, and to study alongside students on other programmes. Options available will include some or all of the following:

• Current issues in science, technology and medicine
• Text and communication
• Environmental studies
• History
• Literature
• Modern languages (French and Spanish)
• Philosophy

Year 4

Successful completion of the first three years offers the opportunity to progress to the Honours programme and become involved in the Health & Social Studies Creative Enquiry Project. This innovative venture involves you working in both group and individual situations. The group element involves the development of a final ‘product’ (in the past this has been the delivery of a conference, the production of a learning resource or the creation of a website). The individual element involves the completion of an extended dissertation.

We have excellent links with employers who provide a wide range of placements. Students have recently been placed with organisations such as the NHS, Alzheimer Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council Homeless Service and with the Department of Social Work in areas such as adoption and fostering, and public health.

You will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad. There are currently two options available: the Erasmus Exchange Scheme and the International Exchange Programme. Under the Erasmus scheme you study at a major European university, normally for a full year during your third year of study. Dumfries Campus has established exchange agreements with universities in Mainz, Alicante, Pamplona and Prague. If you choose to participate in the International Exchange Programme, which you would normally complete in your third year of study, you can take advantage of our formal exchange agreements with selected universities outside Europe.

Graduate employers value students with high-quality, relevant work experience. The placement in third year is a particular strength of the degree framework and provides you with a chance to significantly enhance your employability. The placement will integrate you into a work environment and provide you with experience of workplace structures and demands. You will have an opportunity to explore the relationship between academic theory/classroom-based learning and the reality of work practice, develop your critical thinking, reflective and problem-solving abilities: enabling you to network effectively and enhancing your employability within your chosen, specialist area.

Recent graduates have taken up employment within the NHS, the voluntary sector or in management trainee schemes. Others have gone on to postgraduate training in teaching and social work.