Undergraduate Study
Course Information
study european social policy and graduate with a university degree
2nd in Scotland for Social Policy (in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise in 2008)
Top 3 in Scotland for Social Policy (The Times Good University Guide and The Independent Complete University Guide, 2010)
Social Policy is concerned with the study of the aims, processes and outcomes of social welfare. With the growing importance of Europe and the European Union, the analysis of Social Policy is becoming increasingly international and comparative in character. Important lessons can be learned from investigating how different countries tackle the same social problems – such as unemployment, poverty or homelessness – or how they provide access to health care, housing and other forms of social protection.
This programme offers you a combined package comprising Social Policy, Sociology, Politics and a modern European language.
BA (Hons) European Social Policy
UCAS Code LR49Entrance Requirements
Year 1
Highers BBBC.
A-levels CCC or a combination of A2 and AS levels, VCE and VDA.
IB Diploma with a total of 28 points.
HNC or HND with Bs in Graded Units.
Access courses and other UK/EU and international qualifications are also welcomed.
Examinations taken over two sittings are acceptable but if there are repeats/upgrades asking grades may be raised by one grade.
Year 2
A-levels or Advanced Highers BBB in Sociology, Politics & Government and one of French or Spanish.
Required Subjects
Beginner and Advanced courses in French and Spanish are available.
English Standard Grade (2), Intermediate 2 (C), GCSE (C) or equivalent. Applicants with English Standard Grade (3) will also be considered, although alternative entry conditions may be made in this case.
Modes of Study
Full-time (3 modules per semester).
Part-time (1 or 2 modules per semester).
Related Degrees
French; Politics; Sociology and Social Policy; Spanish.
Rating
Stirling is Top 3 in Scotland for Social Policy (The Times Good University Guide and The Independent Complete University Guide, 2010) and is second in Scotland in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008.
| Programme Contact |
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|---|---|
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Dr Ian McIntosh |
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Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 467699 |
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Email: ian.mcintosh@stir.ac.uk |
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Web: www.dass.stir.ac.uk |
Degree Programme
Semesters 1 - 3
You will take introductory modules in Sociology and Social Policy, Politics and in one modern European language (French or Spanish).
Semester 1
- Social Differentiation
- Politics of the British Isles
- European Language
Semester 2
- Social Problems
- Political Concepts and Ideas
- European Language
Semester 3
- Understanding Social Policy
- European Union: Politics and Policy
- European Language
Semesters 4 and 5
You will take a module in Social Theory, a relevant module in Politics (Politics of European Social Democracy, Regionalism in Europe, International Politics or Politics in France), Research Process I, and an advanced option module in Social Policy, while continuing with your chosen language.
Semester 6
You will spend this semester at a French or Spanish university, pursuing approved courses in Social Policy and the relevant language.
Semesters 7 and 8
In your final year, you will take two advanced option modules in Social Policy and write a dissertation (counting as two advanced modules) on a topic relevant to European Social Policy. You are encouraged to use source material from other countries, but the dissertation will be written in English.
Advanced modules in Sociology and Social Policy currently include:
- Ageing, Society and Social Policy
- Disability and Society
- Drugs, Crime and Society
- Health and Society
- Housing Policy
- Poverty, Income and Wealth
- Risk, Solidarity and Welfare in Europe
- Gender,Work and Welfare
- Urban Society
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching for each module in European Social Policy usually consists of two lectures plus one workshop per week. Assessment in each module is normally based on a combination of coursework and examination, for example, two workshop reports (10 percent), one essay (30 percent) and an examination (60 percent).
Career Opportunities
European Social Policy provides you with a first-class modern education. Past experience indicates that employers value skills such as fluency in a modern European language, familiarity with European politics (and social policy in particular) and an international outlook acquired during study in the UK and abroad. Graduates will be well equipped to compete for jobs in both the public and private sector in the UK, as well as other European countries.
Combined Honours Degrees
As European Social Policy is already an integrated subject, combining Sociology and Social Policy, Politics and Modern Languages, there are no additional combined degrees available.
