Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences

at University of Limerick

What subjects can I study?
 

• Digital Culture and Communications
• Economics
• Geography^
• History
• Linguistics with TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• Politics and International Relations
• Psychology^*
• Public Administration and Leadership
• Sociology

The BSc. Social Sciences exposes students to a variety of disciplines relevant to the human condition which increase knowledge, understanding, and critical evaluation of society and humanity.

Students will be introduced to a range of social science perspectives and methods across their chosen subject areas.

First Year

Students choose four subjects from the nine disciplines below, and study one module per subject in each semester. A fifth module provides students with the skills for advanced study and life at the University.

Choose four of the subjects below to study in 1st year:
 

• Digital Culture and Communication

• Economics

• Geography^

• History

• Linguistics with TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

• Politics and International Relations

• Psychology^*

• Public Administration & Leadership

• Sociology

^Note that it is not possible to take Geography and Psychology together but all other subject combinations are possible in first year. Please see table below for combinations available from second year onwards. 

*Note that places on psychology are limited after year 1

The final fifth module each semester will relate to data science. A key feature of the BSc is a core set of modules that introduces data science.  The expansion of information technologies has made the world literally awash with data and increasing number of organizations incorporate data collections and data analytics into their everyday operations.  Data science is an interdisciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and complex systems to extract knowledge and information from data and then apply insights to a range of human and non-human endeavors.  The data science core in the BSc introduces students to conceptual, philosophical, ethical, and practical and managerial issues around data, shows what the key types of data are, how they are collected, and how they reflect core themes and issues in the different social sciences, and provides an introduction to web-scraping techniques for harvesting data in the virtual world.  With this core, the programme provides a 21st century approach to the social sciences and provides an entry into one of the fastest growing fields in contemporary society.

Second year onwards

Students choose a single major subject (from which they take two modules) and two minor subjects (one module each), amounting to four subject-specific modules. The fifth module each semester will be a data science module.

Entry Requirements for applicants from India:

Standard XII examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Metro State Boards or Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), with first-division/class standing and a minimum average grade of 70%.  
 

• A language other than English and Mathematics must be taken as a subject up to Grade X.
• Where there is a specific subject requirement for a specific programme (e.g. Math, Physics, French, etc.), a minimum grade of 70% in that subject at Grade XII is required. 

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
 

1. Residency
    
   • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
      
2. Citizenship
    
   • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status

Studying the social sciences at the University of Limerick provides an opportunity to acquire specific knowledge and understanding of society, tools to analyse key issues such as class, inequality, health, social and urban change, as well as skills in research, critical thinking, analysis, presentation and dissemination, all of which are required for today's world. The BSc. Social Sciences opens up a variety of career pathways and opportunities for further study.

Career opportunities include:
 

• Social & Youth Work
• Community Development
• Social Research
• Public Relations & Communications
• Civil Service
• Teaching
• Development Work
• Marketing, Media & Journalism
• Publishing
• Management