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  • Social Science (BSc) (Part-time)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • Forms of assessment vary widely depending on the option modules you choose. Common forms of assessment include essays, literature reviews, in-class presentations and exams.

  • Attendance
      • Approximately four contact hours a week plus 8–10 hours of independent study.
      • Different modules are held on different evenings in the week.
  • Duration
      • Four years part-time.
      • Minimum three years if you have successfully completed a Birkbeck Certificate of Higher Education.
  • Entry requirements
      • Over 21: no formal entry requirements.
      • Under 21: normal university entry requirements.
      • You should be competent in both written and spoken English.
      • You should be able to devote sufficient time to your study.
      • Students who have already taken a Birkbeck Certificate of Higher Education may be admitted to the second year of study. The programme directors will determine whether this is possible.
  • Fees and funding
  • Location

      • Central London or Stratford.

  • Teaching

    • Lectures, student-led teaching seminars, one-to-one tutorials and supervisions.



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Social Science (BSc) (Part-time) - 2012/2013 entry

Do you want to become a competent, critical and responsible researcher of the social world? This innovative and flexible interdisciplinary programme will help you do just that. You will study core social science subjects such as social theory, social policy and research methods, and you will pick option modules from a wide range of fields in the social sciences – from anthropology to social policy. With the opportunity to conduct social research of your own towards a dissertation, you can graduate with either a general BSc Social Science degree or with a specialism of either: anthropology; communication; development studies; geography; history; politics; psychosocial studies; or social policy. You can study this course in central London or Stratford.

This course is also available for full-time evening study.

  • Course structure

    • This programme consists of modules worth a total of 360 credits, comprised of 120 credits at Levels 4, 5 and 6 respectively.

      If you intend to graduate with a certain specialism, you must select option modules to the value of 90 credits in that specialist area at the appropriate levels (i.e. you must take one option module in your specialist area at level 4, one at level 5 and one at level 6).

      A typical part-time route through the programme is as follows:

      Year 1

      You will be introduced to key contemporary debates in the social sciences, and to university study in general. You will take:

      Year 2

      You will study the debates associated with the social science disciplines about the person as an individual and as a member of multiple local, national and international collectivities. You will be introduced to debates regarding social conflict, drawing on a number of disciplinary perspectives. You will take:

      • Social Inequalities and Diversities (core module, 30 credits, Level 4)
      • Social Conflict I (core module, 30 credits, Level 5)
      • plus one Level 5 option module worth 30 credits (from the specialist modules on offer).

      Year 3

      You will take:

      • Social Conflict II (core module, 30 credits, Level 5)
      • one Level 5 option module worth 30 credits (from the specialist modules on offer).
      • one Level 6 option module worth 30 credits (from the specialist modules on offer).

      Year 4

      You will be introduced to the research methods used in the social sciences and you will develop advanced analytical and research skills through undertaking an independent dissertation.

      • Knowing the Social World (core module, 30 credits, Level 6)
      • Dissertation (compulsory, 60 credits, Level 6).
  • Study resources

    • Students have access to Senate House Library and the Birkbeck libraries in Bloomsbury and Stratford, and will join a flourishing and diverse undergraduate student community.

      We offer student support and have a range of research resources.

  • Further study opportunities
  • Careers information

    • Graduates go on to careers in central or local government, education, social, health or housing service, cultural industries and other statutory, private and not-for-profit sectors, social research in the social science disciplines, and journalism.

    • To speak to an independent careers advisor, booking onto one of our Future Focus — Careers Workshops
  • Apply now