Overview
The BSocSc (Hons) is a three-year, full-time honours degree programme during which students are provided with a broad grounding in Social Policy, Sociology, Psychology, Economics and Philosophy. The First Year offers a foundation in the Social Sciences. The Second and Third Years of the degree emphasise applied learning and include preparation of a research proposal in the Second Year and a social research dissertation in the Third Year.
The degree does not provide a professional qualification in any one of the areas covered. Students wishing to become Social Workers or Youth and Community Workers will have to undertake further professional training at Postgraduate level, for example the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree or the Postgraduate Diploma in Youth Work. Students wishing to be eligible for postgraduate studies in Sociology must have taken at least 45 credits of Sociology overall in the Second and Third Years, including SC2014 Classical Social Theory, SC2015 Critical Social Theory, SC3001 Contemporary Social Theory and SC3055 Research Project 2 (or equivalent i.e. SS3031 Social Research Report).
First Year - Social Science
In First Year Social Science, students study prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in the five designated subject areas of Social Policy, Applied Psychology, Economics, Philosophy and Sociology.
Notes regarding Second Year and Third Year Social Science elective modules:
If optional SS coded modules do not reach the minimum registration quota there is no guarantee that they will be offered.
Students may not select modules which involve a timetable clash.
Students may not select the same electives in year 2 and year 3.
Second Year - Social Science
Students may not register for Second Year Social Science until they have passed the First University Examination in Social Science. In order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Social Science, a student must have satisfactorily attended, for at least a full academic year, prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in the programme.
UCC Diploma in Social Studies progression pathway
Students who have passed the Diploma in Social Studies from 2020 onwards may register for Second Social Science. Students who wish to progress to Second Social Science should notify the School of Applied Social Studies in writing of their intention to do so by the first Friday of July at the end of their second year of studying the Diploma in Social Studies. Upon successful completion of the Diploma in Social Studies, students who have notified their intention to progress, may register for Second Social Science.
BSocSc (Hons) (International) Pathway
The BSocSc (Hons) (International) Pathway is a four-year programme which enables students to study abroad for a year in an approved University outside Ireland.
Third Year - Social Science
Only students who have passed the Second University Examination in Social Science and satisfied all other requirements specified for the Second Year, will be permitted to register for Third Social Science. In order to be admitted to the BSocSc (Hons) Degree Examination, a student must have satisfactorily attended, for at least a full academic year, prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in all of the themes of his/her programme.
Option to transfer to Bachelor of Social Work Year 2
From 2025 onwards, students who have passed the first year of the BSocSc (CK102) may apply to register for the second year of the Bachelor of Social Work (CK115). Upon successful completion of the first year of the BSocSc, including the prerequisite module – SS1012 (Social Practice and the Social Professions) - students who have notified their intention to transfer, will be eligible to apply for the second year of the BSW. The allocation of a place on the second year of the BSW will be subject to a selection process. Please note that there is a limit of 10 places available. Students who wish to transfer to the second year of the BSW must notify the School of Applied Social Studies in writing of their intention to do so by the first Friday of July at the end of their first year of studying the BSocSc. Students who do not transfer to the BSW may continue on the BSocSc.
Programme Requirements
For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements.
Programme Requirements
Module List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| |
| SS1017 | Politics and Social Policy (Part 1) | 10 |
| SS1018 | Politics and Social Policy (Part 2) | 5 |
| SC1012 | Introduction to Sociology (Part A) | 5 |
| SC1017 | Key Issues in Sociology (Part B) | 5 |
| AP1023 | Lifespan Development | 5 |
| EC1117 | Markets and Governments: An Introduction to Economics | 5 |
| EC1118 | Markets and Governments: An Introduction to Economics | 5 |
| PH1005 | Philosophy and Social Science an Introduction | 10 |
| 10 |
| Social Practice and the Social Professions (10) | |
| Social Psychology
and States, Economies and Societies | |
| |
| SS2012 | Research Methods | 5 |
| SS2029 | Politics and Social Policy II (Part 1) | 5 |
| SS2031 | Politics and Social Policy II (Part 2) | 5 |
| 5 |
| Personal Lives and Family Policy (5) | |
| Child Care Policy (5) | |
| Penal Policy and Practice (5) | |
| Social Work 1 (5) | |
| Fieldwork Placement (5) | |
| Social Movements and Health (5) | |
| Special Education and Disability: Principles, Policies and Practices (5) | |
| Critical Social Policy and Environmental Crisis (5) | |
| Communities, Activism and Development (5) | |
| EC2151 | Economics of Social Policy 1 | 5 |
| PH2032 | Introduction to Ethics | 5 |
| AP2505 | Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence | 5 |
| SC2014 | Classical Social Theory | 5 |
| SC2015 | Critical Social Theory | 5 |
| 2 | 15 |
| Personal Lives and Family Policy (5) | |
| Child Care Policy (5) | |
| Penal Policy and Practice (5) | |
| Social Work 1 (5) | |
| Fieldwork Placement (5) | |
| Social Movements and Health (5) | |
| Special Education and Disability: Principles, Policies and Practices (5) | |
| Critical Social Policy and Environmental Crisis (5) | |
| Communities, Activism and Development (5) | |
| Women, Confinement and Social Control in Ireland (5) | |
| Crime, Urbanization and Cities (5) | |
| The Sociology of Class (5) | |
| Sociology of Politics, Power, and Ideology (5) | |
| Race, Ethnicity, Migration and Nationalism (5) | |
| Sociology of Education/Sociology for Education (5) | |
| Culture, Art & Literature: Sociological and Anthropological Perspectives (5) | |
| Sociology of Crime and Deviance (5) | |
| The Family: Sociological and Anthropological Perspectives (5) | |
| Sociology of the Body and the Mind (5) | |
| Sociology of the City (5) | |
| Sociology of Memory, Trauma & Collective Denial (10) | |
| Introduction to Biostatistics (5) | |
| Introduction to French : Complete Beginners (5) 3 | |
| French for Near Beginners (5) |
| French for Near Beginners (5) | |
| Threshold French (5) | |
| French for Reading Purposes I (5) |
| German Language (Beginner Level A1) Part 1 (5) 4 | |
| French for Reading Purposes I (5) | |
| German Language (Beginner Level A1) Part 2 (5) 4 | |
| German Language (CEFR-Level A2.1) (5) 4 | |
| German Language (CEFR-Level A2.2) (5) 4 | |
| Spanish Language (Beginner Level) (10) 5 | |
| Non-Beginners' Written and Spoken Italian (10) | |
| Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10) |
| Reasoning and Argument (5) | |
| An Introduction to Political Philosophy (5) | |
| Feminist Philosophy (5) | |
| Philosophy of Science (5) | |
| |
| SS3031 | Social Research Report | 15 |
| or SC3055 | Research Project 2 |
| SS3049 | Politics and Social Policy IV | 5 |
| SS3050 | Politics and Social Policy V | 5 |
| 35 |
| Housing and Homelessness (5) | |
| Education and Welfare (5) | |
| Poverty and Social Exclusion (5) | |
| Communities, Activism and Development (5) 6 | |
| Social Science and Social Work (5) | |
| The Politics of Racism (Online) (5) | |
| Social Perspectives in Mental Health (5) | |
| Science, Technology and Public Controversy (5) | |
| Fieldwork Placement (5) | |
| Issues in Planning and Sustainable Development (5) | |
| Critical Perspectives on Age and Ageing (5) | |
| Social Practice and the Social Professions 3 (5) | |
| Critical Perspectives on Disability (5) | |
| Economics of Social Policy 2 (5) | |
| Women, Confinement and Social Control in Ireland (5) 6 | |
| Crime, Urbanization and Cities (5) 6 | |
| Contemporary Social Theory (5) | |
| Understanding Globalisation and Development (5) | |
| The Sociology of Community (5) | |
| Religion and Civilisation in Sociological and Anthropological Perspective (5) | |
| Sociology of the Media (5) | |
| Sociology of the Environment (5) | |
| Gender, Sexuality and Inequality (5) | |
| Sociology of Memory, Trauma & Collective Denial (10) | |
| Sociology of Law: Legal Justice, Human Rights and Social Change (5) | |
| The Sociology of Violence (5) | |
| Medical Sociology (5) 11 | |
| Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention (5) | |
| Child and Family Health Psychology (5) | |
| Introduction to French : Complete Beginners (5) 7 | |
| French for Near Beginners (5) |
| French for Near Beginners (5) | |
| Threshold French (5) 7 | |
| French for Reading Purposes I (5) |
| French for Reading Purposes I (5) 7 | |
| Towards Vantage French (5) | |
| French for Reading Purposes II (5) |
| French for Reading Purposes II (5) | |
| Ceart na Gaeilge idir Scríobh agus Labhairt (10) | |
| German Language (Beginner Level A1) Part 1 (5) 4 | |
| German Language (Beginner Level A1) Part 2 (5) 4 | |
| German Language (CEFR-Level A2.1) (5) 4 | |
| German Language (CEFR-Level A2.2) (5) 4 | |
| Spanish Language (Beginner Level) (10) | |
| Spanish Language (Improver [01] Level) (10) 8 | |
| Non-Beginners' Written and Spoken Italian (10) 9 | |
| Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10) 9 | |
| Intermediate Italian Language (10) |
| Political Philosophy in Theory and Practice (5) | |
| Professional Ethics (5) | |
| Social Ontology (5) | |
| Moral Philosophy in Theory and Practice (5) | |
| Human Nature and Free Will (5) | |
| Introduction to Biostatistics (5) 10 | |
| Total Credits | 180 |
Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.
*** Only for Incoming First Years and Repeat First Years 2024/2025 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***
Marks and Standards
These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.
Fitness to Practise
All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.
Marks and Credits
Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.
First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria
To pass first year and progress to second year, students must achieve:
- An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules,
- A pass mark in modules to the value of at least 50 credits, and
- A module mark of at least 30% in any remaining modules.
Pass by Compensation: Students who satisfy each of the above criteria are allowed to compensate in modules to the value of 10 credits and pass the year overall.
Students who wish to apply to transfer from BSocSc Year 1 to BSW Year 2 must pass all BSocSc Year 1 modules outright, including SS1012.
Award of Honours in the Degree Award
An honours classification is awarded for the final degree using the final year examination results and marks carried forward from the penultimate year. The aggregate of 33.33% of the penultimate year marks plus 66.67% of the final year marks will be used to calculate the final degree award.
Honours will be awarded as follows:
- First Class Honours: ≥ 70%
- Second Class Honours, Grade I: ≥ 60% and <70%
- Second Class Honours, Grade II: ≥ 50% and <60%
- Pass: ≥ 40% and <50%
Award of Honours when a student undertakes Study Abroad
When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, the calculation of the final degree award is based on modules in the Book of Modules only.
Examination Boards
- Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
- Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.
Supplemental Examinations and Assessment
- Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
- Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
- The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
- The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
- The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
- At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.
Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.
Study Abroad
- When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, they will be assessed by his/her/their host university.
- To pass the study abroad period and progress to the subsequent year, a student must achieve a pass standard as applied by the host institution.
- A Pass/Fail judgement will be presented to the UCC Examination Boards:
- At the Summer Examination Board for students spending Semester 1 abroad.
- At the Autumn/Winter Examination Board for students spending the full academic year abroad or Semester 2 only.
- For students failing to achieve a pass mark, Supplemental Assessment will be prescribed by the School in UCC, and these results will be presented at a Winter Examination Board.
Exemptions
All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.
Repeat Year Examinations
Students repeating the year may do so choosing one of the following mechanisms:
1. Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 30%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.
Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).
2. Students may forego all module exemptions achieved and repeat the year choosing modules to the value of the full 60 credits. In determining pass and progression, there is no restriction on the marks awarded for modules taken at the first attempt of the Repeat Year. Modules taken at the subsequent Supplemental Examination and Assessment are capped at the pass mark.
Subject to capacity, all students - whether they have failed or passed - are allowed to choose this second option, in an attempt to improve his/her/their grade.
Students repeating the final year are eligible for the award of Honours in the first Repeat Year only. Final year students wishing to repeat the year with a view to improving his/her/their degree result may do so only if they have not been conferred.
Three Year Rule
Students must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.
Terms and Definitions
Programme Description
Module Descriptions/Assessment
- Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.
Marks and Credits
- A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
- Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.
Pass and Progression
- Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
- Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.
