First Year as a Social Sciences Student
Registration and enrolment opens 18th August
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Friday 19th September
Choose your first year courses
The teaching semester begins on Monday 22nd September. If you have not already done so, please enrol on 120 credits of courses as soon as possible. When doing so, please take the following into account:
- You need to complete a minimum of 80 social science credits in your first year. This includes courses run by any of the core social science subjects (including Geography), Philosophy and Maths.
- Your other 40 credits do not need to be in the social sciences. We especially encourage you to pick up courses in Arts and Humanities. You can find information about the various subjects in the College of Arts and Humanities by viewing their list of undergraduate degrees. We cannot guarantee they all subjects can accomodate you (see the list below for a more limited selection of courses).
- For your third subject, you should try to ensure you have another potential route to Honours alongside your two main subjects. Some of our subjects do not require you to do all the first and second year courses in order to get into Honours (e.g. Central and East European Studies and Economic and Social History).
- Make sure you've selected both your first and second semester courses. You should be doing 60 credits in each semester so that your workload is manageable.
If you cannot find a space on a subject that is named on your degree plan, or if you're experiencing a timetable clash, please contact the Curriculum Guidance and Support Team as a matter of urgency.
If you would like to do a subject that is not on your degree plan or not on the list below, then it is very unlikely that we'll be able to accomodate you. Please enrol on your course
What courses are available?
As of Friday 19 September, there are spaces available on the following courses:
Central and East European Studies 1A and 1B (5pm lecture group only)
- We have added 200 additional places in Central and East European Studies - split across the semester 1 (1A) and semester 2 (1B) courses.
- CEES is a highly topical and engaging subject areas that examines politics, history and society in Central and Eastern Europe. It's inherently interdisciplinary and a very good way to broaden your understanding of the social sciences and humanities as a whole.
Economics 1A and 1B
- Usually, Economics 1A and 1B are only available to students on Economics plans. However, exceptionally, we've been able to open up some additional space.
- To enrol on these courses you normally need Higher Maths at grade A, A-Level Maths at grade B, or IB at HL6 (Analysis & Approaches). If you have different qualifications or wou would like to check, please contact the UofG Helpdesk).
English Literature 1A and 1B (12pm lecture group only)
- 1A focuses on poetry & poetics
- 1B focuses on the study of the novel
History 1A and 1B (4pm lecture group only)
- 1A is Scotland's Millennium: Kingdom, Union and Nation c 1000-2014
- 1B is A Medieval Mosaic: Europe and its Neighbours in the Middle Ages, c. 400-1500
Philosophy 1A and 1B
- Philosophy credits counts as part of your minimum 80 social science credits
- 1A is How Should I Think?
- 1B is How Should I Live?
It is possible that a few spaces may open up in other courses as people move between courses during the add/drop period. However, we cannot guarantee that space will open up in particular courses and we do not expect to be able to add any extra capacity in courses. Therefore please select the credits you need - do not wait for space to open up.
If you have any questions, you may find the answer below in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Otherwise, please contact the Curriculum Guidance and Support Team.
What are my 'main subjects'? How should I choose my 'main subjects'?
Your main subjects are those that you will specialise in throughout year 1 and 2 and may also continue to study through to Honours.
If you applied for joint honours then you already know what your main subjects are - they are two subjects that are named on your current degree plan (e.g. Sociology and Psychology).
If you applied for single honours then you already know one of your main subjects. For your other main subject you should choose another subject that you would consider taking to Honours that is available as a subject combination on the MA Social Sciences, subject to availability. You do not need to notify anyone about what your main subjects are. This is just to help you plan your studies, although if you decide you would like to continue your second main subject into Honours you should request a plan change - ideally towards the end of first year, but you don't need to decide until the end of second year. Otherwise you may not be able to enrol in your preferred courses in second year.
Main subjects exclude these courses: These courses are excluded on the basis that they do not lead to level 2 study: ACCFIN1001, 1006, 1016, ECON1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, LAW1001, 1006, 1007, MGT1003, 1005.
What is my 'third subject'? How should I choose my 'third subject'?
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, humanities or natural sciences.
We do, however, require your third subject to offer an alternative route to honours in place of one or both of your main subjects. That helps to preserve the maximum amount of flexibiity at the end of your first year to change your degree, if you so choose.
When choosing your third subject, we therefore ask that you select a subject that is available as a joint honours combination on the MA Social Sciences or on one of the other degrees (e.g. the MA or the BSc). This may be a third social sciences subject, but it could just as easily be an art and humanities subject such as History or Philosophy.
These courses are excluded on the basis that they do not lead to level 2 study: ACCFIN1001, 1006, 1016, ECON1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, LAW1001, 1006, 1007, MGT1003, 1005.
Please note that we cannot guarantee you a place on any particular subject - all combinations are subject to availability.
What is the orientation event? When is it taking place?
The Orientation and Advising Welcome Event has been designed in response to student feedback to help ease your transition to university. It is co-delivered by our team of student tutors who will share some of their own experiences with you. You’ll meet fellow new students joining the programme, take part in activities, explore the opportunities available in the College of Social Sciences, you’ll even get a taster of what small group learning is going to be like on your courses. Previous students have found it to be a fun, reassuring and informative introduction to life as a Social Sciences student at UofG!
In the second half of the event, you will meet your Adviser of Studies in a small group with other students assigned to the same Adviser. Your Adviser will support you through your pre-honours years, and this meeting is your first opportunity to connect and find out more about how they can support you. You’ll also find out more about group Advising, how often you’ll meet your Adviser, and what other support you can access to help you succeed in your studies.
There are four events in total, taking place 2pm-4:30pm between Tuesday the 16th and Friday the 19th of September. You will receive an email with the details of the specific Orientation and Advising Welcome you’ve been allocated to, so please look out for this in your student email. It is important you attend the specific day you have been invited to, so that you can meet your Adviser of Study.
What is Pathfinder?
Starting university can be both exciting and daunting. The transition into and through your first few years with us will involve lots of new experiences including adapting to different approaches to learning and teaching, exploring diverse opportunities to enhance your academic, professional and personal skills, and navigating the range of services and people at the University who can support you along the way.
Pathfinder is unique to the MA Social Sciences and has been designed to be your guide as you move through your pre-honours years. Pathfinder is what we call an extended orientation; it follows on from your Orientation in Welcome Week and is intended to equip you with the information and tools you need to thrive at UofG, without overwhelming you by sharing too much all at once! New topics are released at specific points throughout the academic year, to align with key transition points in the pre-honours student journey.
Pathfinder has been co-developed by and for MA Social Sciences students and includes a mix of interactive activities including short videos, quizzes and games. You will also have opportunities to engage directly with our student tutor team and your fellow classmates through discussion forums. You can work through the Pathfinder content at your own pace, and you’ll receive emails whenever new content has been unlocked.
All first year MA Social Sciences students will be automatically enrolled in time for the Pathfinder launch in week 1 of teaching. You will receive an email when Pathfinder is live, so look out for an email from the College Student Experience team around 22nd September.
Frequently Asked Questions
I cannot enrol in courses
Make sure you've checked and followed all the instructions on the University on how to register and then enrol. If you're still struggling then you should contact the University REST Team through the University helpdesk.
Is it possible to take additional courses for extra credit?
No, this is not permitted. You must complete 120 credits in each academic year and cannot enrol in more credits.
Do I have to take an even number of credits across the two semester? (i.e. 60 in semester 1 and 60 in semester 2)
Yes.
Can I enrol on Psychology level 1 courses if my degree plan does not include one or more of these subjects?
No. Due to the high number of students on these degree plans who need to take these courses you cannot enrol in these courses. Places might become available later, however we cannot guarantee this. You must therefore enrol for other courses instead so you can meet your credit requirements.
Can I enrol in Business and Management or Economics level 1 courses if my degree plan does not include one or more of these subjects?
These courses are reserved for students who applied for these degrees via the admissions process, therefore, you cannot enrol. Please see below for information about removal of enrolment restrictions in week 0.
Can I join a waiting list to enrol in a course that is full?
There are no waiting lists for courses run by the Adam Smith Business School and the School of Social and Political Sciences. Any enrolment restrictions, designed to reserve places for students who require a course for their degree plan, will be removed on Wednesday 17 September should you wish you try and enrol again at that time. There is no guarantee that places will become available and you should enrol on 120 credits in the meantime.
Other Colleges and Schools may have other arrangements.
Can I change my mind about my degree plan? (i.e. the single or joint honours programme)
There is very limited scope for new year 1 students to change the degree plan for which they received their admissions offer. For more information about requesting a change, please consult our degree plan changes web page.
