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Course type: Degree

Degree

Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.

Internationally respected, universally understood.

An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.

Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.

Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Credits: 360

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

BA (Honours) Social Sciences

: Course code: R23

The social sciences seek answers to the big questions we face as a society and inform the work of policy makers, business leaders and many others. You'll study core modules in interdisciplinary social science and sociology, giving you a firm grounding in ideas central to the social sciences. In the rest of your degree, you can specialise in either criminology, development; economics, geography, philosophy, politics, psychology, religious studies or sociology, or choose a combination of modules in these subjects that interests you. Whatever path you take, you'll acquire transferable skills, opening employment opportunities in private, public and voluntary sector organisations.

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Key features

Course details

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

How you'll study

Careers

Provides a thorough introduction to the social sciences and explores a range of topical social, political and economic issues
Gives you the option to specialise in criminology, development, economics, geography, philosophy, politics, psychology, religious studies or sociology
Applies cutting edge social science theory and knowledge to real world situations
Equips you with valued skills to enhance your employability, including evidence analysis and evaluation, and communicating specialist ideas and information to different audiences.
Offers the option to do a dissertation in the final stage of some specialist routes.

Course type

Degree

Credits

360

How long it takes

Part-time study – 6 years

Full-time study – 3 years

Time limit – 16 years

Study method

Distance learning

Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

Ask a question

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

You’ll start Stage 1 with an introductory social science module, and depending on your intended route through the qualification, continue with a broad-based study of social science or specialise in one area.
Next, at Stages 2 and 3, you’ll continue to choose modules from across the social sciences curriculum, or complete the study of your specialist route.

At Stage 1 you'll begin with a broad introductory module covering key concepts and theories in the social sciences and addressing topics from criminology, economics, geography, politics and international studies, philosophy, and sociology.

You'll then choose a specialist route through the degree or continue with a broad-based study of social science.

Introductory social science module

Introductory social science module
Modules	Credits
You'll start your degree with:
Introducing the social sciences (DD102)	60

Broad-based study of social science

Broad-based study of social science
Modules	Credits
You’ll also choose 60 credits from:
Encountering psychology in context (D120)	60
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60
Introduction to criminology (DD105)	60
You and your money (DB125)	30
Economics in context (DD126)	30
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)	60
Revolutions (A113)	60

Criminology route

Criminology route
Modules	Credits
You'll complete this stage with:
Introduction to criminology (DD105)	60

Development; Geography; and Politics routes

Development; Geography; and Politics routes
Modules	Credits
You'll complete this stage with:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60

Economics route

Economics route
Modules	Credits
You'll complete this stage with:
You and your money (DB125)	30
Economics in context (DD126)	30

Philosophy route

Philosophy route
Modules	Credits
You'll also choose one from:
Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)	60
Revolutions (A113)	60

Psychology route

Psychology route
Modules	Credits
You'll complete this stage with:
Encountering psychology in context (D120)	60

Religious Studies route

Religious Studies route
Modules	Credits
You’ll also choose one from:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60
Revolutions (A113)	60

Sociology route

Sociology route
Modules	Credits
You'll also choose one from:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)	60
Introduction to criminology (DD105)	60

You’ll continue with a sociology module exploring how the social world is being transformed by the internet and digital technology. You'll then move on to the specified modules for your specialist route or choose from a range of modules if you're taking a broad-based study of social science. The Criminology and the Sociology routes offer an additional element of choice if you wish to complete a dissertation as part of your degree.

Broad-based study of social science

Broad-based study of social science
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You’ll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
You'll complete this stage with:
You'll choose one from this list of Stage 2 option modules.	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll complete your degree with:
You’ll choose two from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	120

Criminology

Criminology
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
Standard route – You'll complete this stage with one from:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)	60
Understanding criminology (DD212)	60
Dissertation route – You'll complete this stage with:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60
Standard route – You'll complete your degree with:
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)	60
Dissertation route – You'll complete your degree with:
Researching current issues in criminology (DD315)	60

Development

Development
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
You'll complete this stage with:
Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)	60
You'll begin this stage with:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60
You'll complete your degree with:
Investigating global development: crisis, complexity, change (D329) – planned for October 2026	60

Economics

Economics
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
You'll complete this stage with:
Essential economics: macro and micro perspectives (D217)	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60
You'll complete your degree with:
Doing economics: inequalities, innovation and environment (DD320) – planned for October 2025	60

Geography

Geography
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
You’ll complete this stage with one from:
Changing geographies of the United Kingdom (D225)	60
Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206)	60
Environment and society (DD213)	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)	60
You'll complete this stage with:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60

Philosophy

Philosophy
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
You'll complete this stage with:
Investigating philosophy (DA223)	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60
You'll complete your degree with:
Key questions in philosophy (A333)	60

Politics

Politics
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
You'll complete this stage with:
Understanding politics: ideas and institutions in the modern world (DD211)	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60
You’ll complete your degree with one from:
International relations: continuity and change in global politics (DD313)	60
Modern political ideas (DD316)	60

Psychology

Psychology
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
You'll complete this stage with:
Living psychology: from the everyday to the extraordinary (DD210)	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60
You’ll complete your degree with one from:
Advancing social psychology (DD317)	60
Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)	60

Religious studies

Religious studies
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
You'll complete this stage with:
Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences (A227)	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60
You'll complete your degree with:
Religion and global challenges in the past and present (DA332) – planned for October 2025	60

Sociology

Sociology
Modules	Credits
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You’ll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)	60
Standard route – You’ll complete this stage with one from:
Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences (A227)	60
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)	60
Understanding criminology (DD212)	60
Dissertation route – You'll complete this stage with:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)	60
Stage 3 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
You’ll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.	60
Standard route – You'll complete your degree with:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)	60
Dissertation route – You'll complete your degree with:
Principles of social research: sociology special project module (D328) – planned for October 2025	60

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 6 September 2024.

Accessibility

Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our BA (Honours) Social Sciences uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:

Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
Assessment in the form of short-answer questions, essays, and examinations
Feedback – continuous assessment includes feedback from your tutor and using this to improve your performance
Finding external/third-party material online
Online tutorials
Group-work

Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these on individual module descriptions. Visit our Disability support page to learn about our services.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

If you’ve already completed some study at another university, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – reducing the number of modules you need to study.

You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. Just tell us what you studied, where and when, and we’ll compare this against the learning outcomes for your chosen course.

For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

Classification of your degree

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our BA (Honours) Social Sciences.

If you have chosen a specialist route, your degree title will show that, for example, BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Criminology).

The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stages 2 and 3.

You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

International recognition

If you intend to use your Open University qualification to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

BA (Honours) Social Sciences

Compare this course

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

Even though there are no entry requirements, there are some skills that you'll need to succeed. If you're not quite ready for OU study we can guide you to resources that prepare you, many of which are free.

Answer a few quick questions to check whether you're ready for study success

How much time do I need?

Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner

Preparing for study with an Access module

Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.

You’ll also benefit from:

feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
support from a dedicated team throughout your study
detailed written feedback on your work.

The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:

Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module provides an excellent introduction to studying with The Open University; you'll get to cover a wide range of subject areas, including psychology, childhood and youth studies, health and social wellbeing, sport, education and social sciences.

View full details of Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module

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Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.

Qualification	Total cost at campus university*	Total cost at The Open University**	Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree	£27,750	£21,816	£5,934 (21%)
Diploma of Higher Education	£18,500	£14,544	£3,956 (21%)
Certificate of Higher Education	£9,250	£7,272	£1,978 (21%)

Honours Degree

Total cost at campus university* £27,750

Total cost at The Open University** £21,816

Saving with The Open University £5,934 (21%)

Diploma of Higher Education

Total cost at campus university* £18,500

Total cost at The Open University** £14,544

Saving with The Open University £3,956 (21%)

Certificate of Higher Education

Total cost at campus university* £9,250

Total cost at The Open University** £7,272

Saving with The Open University £1,978 (21%)

*Based on maximum chargeable fees for 24/25 academic year.

**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section C of the University's Fee Rules.

How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
details of each assignment and their due dates
a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

Tutor support

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
guide you to learning resources
support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
If a module has an in-person exam (that you must take at one of our exam centres) or is invigilated online, we’ll make this clear in the module description.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.
Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
free Microsoft Office 365 software
IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Skills for career development

Employers value the diverse skills of the social sciences very highly. The ability to work across different academic disciplines will provide you with a broad portfolio of transferable skills including the ability to:

interpret, analyse, and critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative evidence
apply learning to real world situations
communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using different media
employ a wide range of digital practices to find, use, and create data
learn autonomously and plan, conduct, and present independent work
work effectively with others to achieve joint outcomes

Career relevance

A degree in the social sciences can lead to employment across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Businesses, public sector organisations and educational institutions increasingly have to deal with social issues, and value the skills that social science graduates can provide, making this degree relevant to a wide range of professions including local government officer, civil servant, secondary school teacher, social worker, charities, journalism and trade union officials. You can also use your BA (Hons) Social Sciences for further study in the higher education sector.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to social graduates, particularly in business, the voluntary sector and the public sector. Please note, however, that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:

secondary school teacher
journalist
social worker

civil servant
local government official
trades union official

charity worker
business manager
university administrator

Register for this course

Start dates

Feb 2025 - Registration closes 09/01/2025

Credit transfer: apply by 05/12/2024

Request your Social Sciences prospectus

Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.

Request prospectus

Prepare for OU study with an Access module

Stage 1 (120 credits)

Introductory social science module

Broad-based study of social science

Criminology route

Development; Geography; and Politics routes

Economics route

Philosophy route

Psychology route

Religious Studies route

Sociology route

Stages 2 and 3 (240 credits)

Broad-based study of social science

Criminology

Development

Economics

Geography

Philosophy

Politics

Psychology

Religious studies

Sociology

Accessibility

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

Classification of your degree

International recognition

Regulations

Compare this course

How much time do I need?

Preparing for study with an Access module

Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module

What you will study

Fees and funding in England

Tuition fee