The Bachelor of Social Science (DN750 BSocSc) at University College Dublin is the premier honours degree of its kind in Ireland. For almost sixty years it has been the standard qualification for those wishing to pursue careers in policy making, social work & care, and the management of people and policy  in work and organisational settings.

If you are interested in exploring how societies, communities and families work and wish to make a difference to the world, affect cultural change, contribute to public service or corporate responsibility, then this course is for you.

The DN750 degree has been designed to explore key social issues affecting societies in Ireland, the European Union, the USA and East Asia including: poverty, inequality, housing & homelessness, environmental policy, addiction, mental health, criminal justice, globalisation, gender equality, family policy, childhood/children’s services, and tax and welfare systems.

You will learn about how policy makers, in Ireland and across the world, have responded to these societal challenges and explore what options are available for future reform. The DN750 degree places a strong emphasis on studying qualitative and quantitative research methods linking their application to recent and current challenges facing societies across the world.

Students on the DN750 degree will attend lectures and seminars, and engage in project-based learning, instruction, and independent study with experienced academic staff and with input from policy-makers and industry. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad, extending their study by one year, by attending one of our partner institutions throughout Europe (Erasmus programme), Asia, North America and Australasia.

First Year

You will complete core modules in social policy and sociology. Students are not expected to have any prior knowledge of these disciplines; the first year modules will provide you with a comprehensive introduction.

Second & Third Year

Alongside core modules in social policy and sociology you will select optional modules from one of three career orientated pathways:

Pathways:

Why study with us?

• Well established programme that has been running successfully for almost 60 years
• A strong employment focussed Social Science degree with three career orientated pathways
• Social Work and Social Professions
• Society and Public Service
• Work, Organisations and People
• Strong record of graduate employability
• Large number of successful and high-profile graduates
• Internationally recognised academics (Social Policy top 100 worldwide, Sociology top 150 worldwide)
• Interaction with national and international experts on the topics and areas you will study
• Mixture of small-group and large-group teaching and practical labs.

Programme Overview by Assistant Prof Micheál Collins

Leaving cert Guidance Podcast

Catch the Leaving Cert Guidance Podcast episode on DN750. Guidance Counsellor Donnachadh O Mahony speaks with DN750 Programme Director, Prof Micheál Collins, and two final year students about the degree and their experiences. There is a strong focus on career outcomes in the interview, which runs for about 30 mins.

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Careers 

Our alumni Marie-Claire McAleer, Head of Research and Policy at the National Yout Cuncil of Ireland, talks about her career after studying Social Policy and Sociology at UCD.

What our students have to say

Social Work and Social Professions Pathway

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Society and Public Service Pathway

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Work, Organisations and People Pathway

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Admissions

Visit the Social Policy and Sociology page on myUCD for applications and admissions info.

(opens in a new window)myUCD BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology DN750