Social Science
Are you interested in learning new ways of thinking about the colossal challenges of our times, such as the migration and climate crises, intensifying global inequalities, fluctuating public trust in science, and the rise of authoritarianism? At a time of growing hostilities and divisions, are you curious about how solidarity with others might be fostered? Would you like to imagine with others a better world and how it might be achieved? Would you like to study policy responses to social problems such as homelessness, violence against women, racism, and the mental health crisis among young people, how these problems have been understood, and how new and more effective responses might be put in place? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then Social Science is for you!
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 or 4 Years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Cert Entry Requirements
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
The Social Science degree is ideally suited to those who are broadly interested in working with people in a social- and community-focused context. Our graduates are employed in a variety of settings and public and voluntary sector organisations, such as community and health services, probation, social care, local government, housing associations, and social service/advocacy groups.
In terms of postgraduate opportunities, a big advantage for Social Science graduates is that they can access a broad range of postgraduate courses in diverse fields including:
* social work
* occupational therapy
* speech and language therapy
* planning and sustainable development
* community and youth work
* social policy and social research
* criminology
* teaching
* marketing and management
* journalism
Students who are interested in person-centred careers – but who may be undecided about what particular area they would like to specialise in – will enjoy space and time to grow and mature and to explore their options. Along the way, the degree enables students to develop valuable transferable professional and academic skills including critical thinking, problem solving, social analysis, writing and research skills.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 12
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 100
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Are you interested in learning new ways of thinking about the colossal challenges of our times, such as the migration and climate crises, intensifying global inequalities, fluctuating public trust in science, and the rise of authoritarianism? At a time of growing hostilities and divisions, are you curious about how solidarity with others might be fostered? Would you like to imagine with others a better world and how it might be achieved? Would you like to study policy responses to social problems such as homelessness, violence against women, racism, and the mental health crisis among young people, how these problems have been understood, and how new and more effective responses might be put in place? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then Social Science is for you!
The Bachelor of Social Science degree (BSocSc) is crafted to provide you with a transformative learning experience that extends beyond the lecture hall. The first year of the course provides a foundation in a range of social science disciplines, including Social Policy, Sociology, Philosophy, Psychology and Economics. The course is designed on the understanding that this is the first time that most students are encountering the social sciences. As such, you are not expected to have prior knowledge of the various subjects and the first year is focused on introducing you to key concepts and theories. Over the course of the programme, Social Science students develop highly valuable skills – including argumentation, problem-solving, critical thinking, writing, analytical, and research skills – that enable them to flourish as learners, people, professionals, active citizens, advocates, and activists.
In the second and third years of the course, you will again take a number of ‘core’ or compulsory modules in the disciplines listed above. You will also be invited to choose (elective) modules of particular interest to you from a large range of possibilities. The course also offers you the chance to develop your practical experience through optional work experience in an organisation of your choice in Ireland or abroad. And, if you are interested in languages, you can also study French, German, Spanish, Italian, or Irish/Gaeilge. This flexibility in design allows you to shape the degree to fit your own specialist interests and career plans.
An exciting and important element of the degree is the opportunity to engage in research about a social issue of special interest to you. Final year students undertake a social research project that they design and carry out with the guidance of an academic supervisor and with opportunities to collaborate with local community organisations. Students therefore produce ‘real world’ research that responds to key social issues in the 21st century.
Students who successfully complete Year 1 of the Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc - CK102) may apply to transfer directly into Year 2 of the BSW programme, please note that there is a limit of 10 places available.
Year 1 Modules
Core
AP1023 Lifespan Development (5 credits)
EC1117 & EC1118 Markets & Government: An Introduction to Economics (5 credits each)
SS1017 Politics & Social Policy (1) (10 credits)
SS1018 Politics & Social Policy (2) (5 credits)
SC1012 Introduction to Sociology (A) (5 credits)
SC1017 Key Issues in Sociology (B) (5 credits)
PH1005 An Introduction to Philosophy & Social Science (10 credits)
Electives
SS1012 Social Practice and the Social Professions (10 credits) or
SC1020 States, Economies and Societies (5 credits) and AP1022 Social Psychology (5 credits)
Year 2
Core: Social Policy, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Economics
Electives: Social Policy; Sociology; Statistics; Languages; Philosophy
Year 3
Core: Politics and Social Policy, Social Research Project
Electives: Sociology; Social Policy; Economics; Social Work and Social Services; Sociology and Society; Applied Psychology; Languages; Philosophy; Statistics
Dr Órla O’Donovan
o.odonovan@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2790
http://www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/
Phil O’Sullivan
phil.osullivan@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2228