# Social Sciences

**Source**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=DISCIPLINE&DISP=SOS&LEVL=UG
**Parent**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSECATALOGUE

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Why do people behave the way they do? How do social, cultural, political and economic forces shape our lives and the world in which we live?

If these types of questions about society and social relationships spark your interest, prepare to be challenged and fascinated by studying social sciences in UCD. You will examine the nature of our society and the issues confronting humanity, including climate change, crime and violence, social and economic inequality, gender justice, sustainable cities, human development, economic growth and big data.

There are five distinct degrees within Social Sciences at UCD:

- BSc Social Sciences (Four Years)
- BSc Economics (Three Years)
- BSc Psychology (Three Years)
- BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology (Three Years)
- BEd Education, Gaeilge &/or Modern Languages (Four Years)

[Download Irish/UK/EU Brochure](https://www.ucd.ie/socscilaw/t4media/UCD%20College%20of%20Social%20Sciences%20&%20Law%20Undergraduate%20Prospectus%202026ENTRY%20INTERACTIVE%20010925.pdf)
[Download International Brochure](https://www.ucd.ie/socscilaw/t4media/UCD%20College%20of%20Social%20Sciences%20&%20Law%20Undergraduate%20Prospectus%202026ENTRY%20NON-EU%20240925%20web2.pdf)

#### UCD Social Sciences Open Evening

**Date:** 18th November 2025

Click the button below to register for the event.

[Register Now](https://www.myucd.ie/visiting-ucd/events/ucd-social-sciences-open-evening/)
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## About Social Sciences

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### Why study at UCD?

UCD leads the way with the broadest and most diverse Social Sciences programmes in Ireland offering innovative education and research to address the critical social, political, cultural and economic concerns of our time. You will study with internationally renowned academics and capitalise on UCD’s impressive international subject rankings.

You will develop the skills required to succeed in today’s rapid paced business and societal environment, including research, problem solving, analysis and communication. In addition, you will develop expertise in the research techniques employed by social scientists.

**There are five distinct degrees within Social Sciences;**\
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**BSc Social Sciences**

The four-year BSc Social Sciences degree is the largest undergraduate degree in UCD and provides students with a range of subject combinations.

**BSc Economics**

The three-year BSc in Economics is a Single-Major degree for students who are focused on studying only economics as a single subject.

**BSc Psychology**

The three-year BSc Psychology degree is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland. Students study Psychology in UCD as a single subject degree only.

**BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology**

This three-year BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology degree is a Joint Major in Social Policy & Sociology. This degree was previously named the BSocSc in Social Sciences. Graduates often progress to further study to become social workers or work in public policy or human resources management.

**BEd Education with Gaeilge &/or Modern Languages**

This new four-year teacher education degree, accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland, affords students the opportunity to study languages (French, Spanish, German, Italian, Gaeilge, Portuguese) while also engaging in foundational education modules to prepare for teaching in post-primary schools in Ireland.

### What courses are available?

The following courses are available in this area:\
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- [Social Sciences](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=SBU3&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Social Sciences' page")
- [Computational Social Science](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=SCS1&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Computational Social Science' page")
- [Economics](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ECS4&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Economics' page")
- [Economics, Mathematics and Statistics](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=EMS1&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Economics, Mathematics and Statistics' page")
- [Philosophy, Politics and Economics](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=COS1&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Philosophy, Politics and Economics' page")
- [Archaeology](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=AEJ1&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Archaeology' page")
- [BSc in Politics and International Relations](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=PTS5&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'BSc in Politics and International Relations' page")
- [Education, Gaeilge &/or Modern Languages](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=EDS3&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Education, Gaeilge &/or Modern Languages' page")
- [Geography](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=GGJ1&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Geography' page")
- [Information & Communication Studies](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ICC4&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Information & Communication Studies' page")
- [Philosophy](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=PLJ1&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Philosophy' page")
- [Psychology](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=PCS2&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Psychology' page")
- [Social Justice](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=SJJ1&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Social Justice' page")
- [Social Policy and Sociology](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=SBU2&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Social Policy and Sociology' page")
- [Sociology](https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=SOJ1&AUDIENCE= "Go to 'Sociology' page")

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### First Year Experience

The first year studying social sciences is structured to provide extensive support to incoming students as they make the transition to third-level learning. Each student is assigned a peer mentor – an existing UCD student – to act as a guide and support as you navigate your new life in university.

As you develop expertise in your subjects and become more familiar with the university teaching and learning environment, you increasingly choose your own options, studying areas that interest you. You will be given academic advice and support on your choices as you advance into second year.

### Institutions and Centres

UCD College of Social Sciences and Law is the leading centre for research in social sciences and related disciplines in Ireland. Research in the College spans all the major fields in the social sciences and related disciplines, addressing both fundamental issues concerning the nature of our society and applied issues that impact directly on public policy.

- [UCD College of Social Sciences and Law](https://www.ucd.ie/socscilaw/)
- [UCD School of Archaeology](https://www.ucd.ie/archaeology/)
- [UCD School of Economics](https://www.ucd.ie/economics/)
- [UCD School of Education](https://www.ucd.ie/education/)
- [UCD School of Geography](https://www.ucd.ie/geography/)
- [UCD School of Information & Communication Studies](https://www.ucd.ie/ics/)
- [UCD School of Philosophy](https://www.ucd.ie/philosophy/)
- [UCD School of Politics and International Relations](https://www.ucd.ie/politics/)
- [UCD School of Psychology](https://www.ucd.ie/psychology/)
- [UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work & Social Justice](https://www.ucd.ie/socialpolicyworkjustice/)
- [UCD School of Sociology](https://www.ucd.ie/sociology/)

- [UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy](http://www.ucd.ie/geary/)
- [The Centre for Peace and Conflict Research](https://www.ucd.ie/cpcr/)
- [UCD Centre for Human Rights](https://www.ucd.ie/chr/)
- [UCD International Centre for Newman Studies](http://www.ucd.ie/newman/)
- [UCD Centre for Ethics in Public Life](https://www.ucd.ie/cepl/)
- [UCD Centre for Disability Studies](https://www.ucd.ie/psychology/ucdcentrefordisabilitystudies/)
- [UCD Equality Studies Centre](https://www.ucd.ie/esc/)
- [The Centre for Gender, Feminisms and Sexualities](https://www.ucd.ie/socialpolicyworkjustice/research/centres/centreforgenderfeminismsandsexualities/)

### Graduate Profile

You gain a deep understanding of the subjects you choose to study and develop real-world skills in research, communication and leadership – highly valued by employers. Graduates of UCD social sciences progress to work as:

- Policymakers
- Environmentalists
- Activists
- Economists
- Information managers
- HR managers
- Data Analysts
- Entrepreneurs
- Journalists
- Statisticians
- Urban planners
- Archaeologists
- Librarians
- Secondary school teachers
- Social workers
- Researchers and many more professions across the public and private sectors.

Among our accomplished alumni of UCD Social Sciences are:

- Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice
- Ali Hewson, Humanitarian
- Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, Humanitarian

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