How the MA Social Sciences Degree Works
Our undergraduate degrees in social sciences are Master of Arts (MA Soc) awards, which are unique to the ancient universities of Scotland. They are equivalent to a bachelor's degree and take four years to study.
Over the course of your studies you will have the opportunity to study multiple subjects as part of our flexible degree structure, subject to availability. The MA Social Sciences degree programme is structured to allow you to develop a breadth of understanding of the social sciences in your first year before gradually specialising in your Single or Joint Honours subjects in the later years of the programme.
What subjects can I study?
You can choose between a wide range of core social science subjects:
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School of Social and Political Sciences | Adam Smith Business School | School of Geographical and Earth Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Central and East European Studies | Business and Management | Geography |
| Economic and Social History | Business Economics | School of Psychology and Neuroscience |
| International Relations | Economics | Psychology |
| Politics | ||
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| Social and Public Policy | ||
| Sociology |
Although your interest is likely to be in social science subjects, you can also choose to take an arts, humanities or science subject. You can find more information in the 'How is the degree structured?' section below.
While it is possible to study a wide range of subjects as part of our flexible degree, there are some limits to that flexibility. Some subjects are more popular than others, some have fewer course places available than others, and some subjects have timetable clashes. We can therefore only guarantee you entry into the subject(s) you applied for as the named programme on your UCAS application.
How is the degree structured?
The MA Social Sciences degree programme is structured to allow you to develop a breadth of understanding of the social sciences in your first year before gradually specialising in your Single or Joint Honours subjects in the later years of the programme.
Regardless of which single, joint or with quantitative methods programme you are enrolled on, each year you will study 120 credits.
Year 1
You choose three subjects to study, all of which should offer potential routes to single or joint honours later in your degree. A good way to think about this is to identify your 'main subjects' and 'backup subject'.
Your main subjects are those that you are two subjects that you will specialise throughout year 1 and 2. You may also continue to study these subjects through to Honours.
- If you applied for joint honours (which we recommend) then the two subjects you applied to are your main subjects.
- If you applied for single honours then you should choose another main subject that is available as a subject combination on the MA Social Sciences, subject to availability.
Your third subject can be used in quite a flexible manner to try out different subject areas and/or develop a broader understanding of the social sciences and/or other subject areas. We do, however, require you to select a backup subject which also offers an alternative route to honours. This means that if you decide you prefer this subject and would like to continue studying it in second year in place of one of your main subjects, you can request a plan change. You can choose any subject that is available as a subject combination (not necessarily on the MA Social Sciences), subject to availability.
Throughout first year, all your courses will be at level 1 (e.g. CEES1015, PUBPOL1011, etc.)
Year 2
You continue to study your two main subjects at level 2 (e.g. CEES2011, PUBPOL2010, etc.) but stop studying your third subject. In its place, you will complete elective credits. These can include courses in the Curriculum for Life programme, electives in various arts, humanities, social science and/or science subjects, and/or some language courses. If you are following one of the 'with Quantitative Methods' programmes then you in place of the elective credits you will do two quantitative methods courses.
At the end of your second year you will decide which subject or subjects you wish to continue into Honours. You can choose to study single or joint honours regardless of whether
Honours (Years 3 and 4)
In the final two years of your programme you will study one subject (single honours) or two subjects (joint honours). You will study specialist courses and complete a piece of independent research (a dissertation) within your chosen subject(s).
Single or joint honours?
You can apply for a single or joint honours degree on UCAS.
While the choice is yours, we strongly recommend applying for joint honours even if you intend to specialise in a single subject. Applying for joint honours does not mean that you will have to complete a joint honours degree. You can change to single honours during your studies if you want to focus on one subject instead.
The big advantage of applying for a joint degree is that we guarantee you entry into the subject(s) you applied for as the named programme on your UCAS application. Applying for joint honours therefore effectively books you a place on your preferred courses.
What is a 'with quantitative methods' degree?
The 'with Quantitative Methods' degrees give you the opportunity to develop advanced research skills that help you to understand the social world and are highly sought after by prospective employers. As part of these degrees you'll devote around one quarter of your study time to quantitative methods alongside your main social science subject.
Only subjects offered by the School of Social and Political Sciences can be combined with Quantitative Methods:
- Central and East European Studies
- Economic and Social History
- International Relations
- Politics
- Social and Public Policy
- Sociology
You can apply to study quantitative methods through UCAS or can transfer to these plans at the end of your first year.
Further details about the with Quantitative Methods degrees can be found on the School of Social and Political Sciences webpages.
What is the ordinary degree?
Students who do not meet the requirements to progress to Honours may transfer to the ordinary degree. On this degree, they can complete a further 120 credits to exit after third year with a non-honours MA (Soc).
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Ordinary Degree (Exit Award Only) |
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|
Year 3 |
Subject 1 60 credits at Level 3 |
Subject 2 60 credits at Level 1 or 2 |
What are the degree's credit requirements?
Honours Degree
In order to graduate with an MA Social Sciences Honours degree:
- Complete 240 credits at levels 1 and 2 with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 9.0;
- At least 160 of these credits must be derived from the list of core social science subjects;
- 80 credits must be at level 2, and you must meet the required GPA for each subject you intend to study in Honours (level 4);
- Complete 240 credits at Honours (taught at level 4) in years 3 and 4.
Credit requirements for single honours, joint honours and 'with quantitative methods' degrees are specified in the MA Social Sciences supplementary regulations §6.2.
Ordinary Degree
A graduating curriculum for the MA Social Sciences Ordinary (General) Degree must contain a minimum of 360 credits and an overall grade point average of at least 9.0.
Within the 360 credits at least 120 must be at level 2 or above and at least 280 must be at grade D or better, including at least 60 at level 3 or higher and with not more than 120 credits derived from non-core Social Sciences courses.
Honours students may, after commencement, elect to take the 120 credits accumulated in Junior Honours and seek early exit, graduating with the MA (Social Sciences) (Ordinary) degree. Please contact the Advising & Student Support Team if you are considering this.