A social science degree can position graduates for enhanced career mobility

22 Aug 2019

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) graduates who are set to become trailblazers of the future to benefit humankind. Social science graduates are also important to the puzzle in solving our 21^st century challenges.

Some of the pressing issues confronting today’s world include climate change, sustainability, education, migration, gender equality and more, requiring the expertise of social science graduates. This is especially pertinent in the Yellow World, described as “a world where workers and companies seek out greater meaning and relevance in what they do,” notes PricewaterhouseCoopers in one report. It adds that social-first and community businesses find the greatest success and prosper.

For those looking to not only pursue their studies in the social science realm – be it law, politics or even tourism and hospitality – the field can offer prospective students a wealth of opportunities, including those who aspire to make the world a better place.

The UK has long been known as an education stronghold; a recent Universities UK International (UUKi) report notes that the “UK higher education is a global success story”. Generations of students have gone on to study in the UK – home to some of the world’s top universities specialising in a multitude of programmes.

The region is also home to a diverse community of people, making it an ideal study destination for international students looking to deepen their understanding of different cultures, become global citizens and contribute to their personal and professional growth. All of this contributes to making them globally competitive in the job market.

For prospective students looking for a School that prepares you with the necessary skills to thrive in the workforce, here are four in the UK worth considering:

SCHOOL OF LAW AND SOCIAL SCIENCES – LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY (LSBU)

This public university, which was named The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year for Graduate Employment in both 2018 and 2019, is located in one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities – London – standing in proximity to many of the city’s historical, cultural and political landmarks.

The School offers a range of social science subjects that enable students to learn about the socio-political challenges and opportunities that confront us in the 21^st century. Drawing on its theme, “Social Justice and Global Responsibility”, some of the key issues being explored in the School include access to justice, crime, disability, gender, race and sexuality, human rights, migration and sustainability.

This is reflected in the range of course offerings, many of which are professionally accredited, including Criminology, Education, Events and Entertainment, History, Human Geography, International Relations, Law, Town Planning, Politics, Sociology and Tourism and Hospitality.

As a university that provides a focal point for critical engagement with social, legal and political responses to the changing landscapes of the 21^st century, LSBU’s Centre for Social Justice and Global Responsibility seeks to examine the sources, nature and impact of social injustice, inequality and exclusion, both nationally and globally through the work of their research groups.

To boot, there’s also an Employability Team that helps students access job opportunities and experience the world of work via access to work placements, internships and other professional experience or study during their degree.

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES AND LAW – TEESIDE UNIVERSITY

This English public university in Middlesbrough prides itself for its excellence in teaching and research in a diverse range of areas. Known for its close-knit, vibrant and supportive community, the school offers a diverse range of social sciences programmes at the undergraduate level, including Criminology and Sociology, Education, Early Childhood and Youth, English & Creative Writing, History, Law, Policing & Investigation, Psychology and Social Work.

Those concerned about their fluency in English will be heartened to note that the school hosts the English language unit, which provides pre-sessional and in-sessional English for international students.

Meanwhile, the school also has an international reputation for research prowess. Its Social Futures Institute aims to generate a deeper understanding of our social world. Here, academic staff are engaged in high-quality, publicly-engaged research that underpins all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, while they’re also multidisciplinary, with researchers working across criminology, education, English studies, creative writing, history, law, social work and social policy, sociology and psychology.

Many of the institution’s graduates have gone on to work in all corners of the world for renowned companies including the BBC, Aston Martin, Disney, Johnson Matthey, HSBC, Vodafone, Microsoft and more.

FACULTY OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES – ULSTER UNIVERSITY

Located in Northern Ireland, employability is at the heart of the student experience at Ulster, which has four campuses in Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown and the city of Derry-Londonderry.

Its Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences comprises of six schools – namely the Belfast School of Art, School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, School of Arts and Humanities, School of Communication and Media, School of Education and School of Law – that offer first-class teaching in their world-class facilities.

Prospective undergraduates can choose from a variety of undergraduate programmes, including Animation, Communication Management and Public Relations, Community Youth Work, Criminology and Criminal Justice, English and History, Law, Politics, Sociology, among others.

Under the new Employability Strategy, the university grants students the opportunities and support needed to develop into highly employable graduates. Many of their courses provide additional professional recognition or exemptions. There are also opportunities for students to study, work or volunteer abroad under the Go Global programme, where you can expect to experience diversity and different lifestyles, gain intercultural communication skills and increase your independence and adaptability.

Ulster also prides itself on its sporting facilities, offering prospective students a wide range of classes, multi-sport indoor and outdoor facilities and fully trained sports staff for students to keep fit or train at the competitive level.

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES – UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES

Wales may be known for its natural beauty, but it is also home to USW, one of the largest universities in the UK. The university has four campuses located in Cardiff, Newport, Pontypridd and Dubai.

Its School of Humanities and Social Sciences prides itself on its links with the public sector, industry and major employers, where teaching is informed by actual practice, ensuring high employability once students graduate. Unsurprisingly, 95 percent of graduates are in work or study within six months of graduation.

Prospective students can pursue their further study in a variety of fields, namely History, English and Creative Writing, Religious Studies, Public and Emergency Services, Criminology, Sociology and Youth and Community. For instance, Youth and Community Work students don’t just learn to work with children and young adults, but also gain a platform to make a difference to the lives of others by inspiring, educating and empowering young people.

Studies aside, the university also houses the USW Sport Park, which boasts a superb range of facilities used by students on sports courses and by students selected to represent the university in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International