Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Undergraduate Degrees

Studying Social Sciences in UCD

Download 2025 Undergraduate Prospectus PDF | 4.3 MB
Download 2025 Non EU Undergraduate Prospectus

(opens in a new window)‌‌Social Sciences students explore how people behave as individuals and in human groups - from families and teams to companies and government agencies.

Social Sciences investigate the development of societies - past, present and future by combining quantitative data, such as social and economic statistics, with qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus groups.

(opens in a new window)Two Subject Combination - Joint Major OR Major/Minor

Select your preferred combination of subjects to best suit your education and career goals.

- Combinations Table

(opens in a new window)Computational Social Science

A pioneering degree that will enable students to leverage the power of big data, computer simulations and social networks to understand social phenomena and individual behaviour.

- Computational Social Sciences Modules

(opens in a new window)Economics, Mathematics & Statistics

This programme enables you to explore the sought-after combination of Economics, Mathematics and Statistics in depth while also emphasising how they complement each other.

- Economics Mathematics & Statistics Modules

(opens in a new window)Philosophy, Politics & Economics

Examines the complex economic and political forces in play, the problems of measuring and assessing the health of society, and the principles of justice that should guide political decision-making to improve society.

- Philosophy, Politics and Economics Modules

(opens in a new window)Psychology (Single Major)

Psychology has links to the natural sciences, the social sciences and the arts, so it is likely to appeal to a wide variety of people. The course has core modules that will introduce you to major theories and research methods, and you will also have a chance to choose option modules in specialist areas of psychology.

- Psychology Modules

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWaw0UN1Njk&t=51s

(opens in a new window)Social Policy & Sociology - DN750

Explores key social issues affecting societies in the European Union, the USA and East Asia including: poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental illness, social stratification, criminal justice, globalisation, gender equality, sexualities and reproductive health, childhood and children’s services, and tax and welfare systems.

 - Social Policy & Sociology Modules

New 4 year degree from UCD School of Education blends language learning and initial teacher education to prepare students to work as a language teacher in post-primary schools in the Irish education system. 
Post Primary Teaching qualification accredited by Teaching Council of Ireland.
The following combinations are available:
  • BEd Education and Gaeilge
  • BEd Education with Gaeilge and 1 Modern Language
  • BEd Education with 2 Modern Languages
(Modern Languages: French, Spanish, German, Portuguese or Italian)
 For more information visit  (opens in a new window)myucd.ie page 

Archaeology

 Archaeology studies the physical evidence from the last three million years to investigate how our world emerges from people's relationship with other people, places, animals, plants and things.

Economics

 Explores how people make decisions, and how they choose between alternative ways of spending their money and using their skills, energy and time in a wide range of human endeavours.

Geography

 Understand the context in which environmental, socio-cultural and politico-economic decision-making takes place and develop skills that prepare you for the workplaces and societies of tomorrow.

Information and Communication Studies

 Information plays a key role in all aspects of life – in business, government, society and the life of the individual. Knowing how to create, manage, share, find and use digital information is more relevant than ever before.

Philosophy

 Gain rigorous analysis of real-world problems and clear communication of complex ideas and concepts, and a capacity for detailed research.

Politics and International Relations

 Develop the ability to analyse the complex interplay between national and international political institutions, systems and forces.

Psychology

 Psychology has links to the natural sciences, the social sciences and the arts and humanities. Some specialist areas of psychology include counselling, clinical psychology and work and organisational psychology.

Social Policy

 Social Policy is the study of the social impact of policies such as social services, social security benefits and the welfare state.

Social Justice

 The subject of Social Justice draws on a range of academic disciplines in order to advance understanding of issues such as inequality, discrimination and human rights abuses.

Sociology

 Sociology seeks to explain how people relate with each other, how hidden structures play an important role in everyday life and how society shapes the way individuals behave.