UK social sciences and communications courses

Studying social sciences and communications in the UK will set you up for a career in all sorts of exciting areas. A UK degree in psychology can lead to a career as a clinical psychologist in a hospital or a forensic psychologist in the police force. A degree in international relations can lead to employment with an international governmental or non-governmental organisation.

You can find information about other career opportunities on the Prospects website.

The UK is home to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the leading agency for funding research and training in social and economic issues. The ESRC has a research budget of more than £100 million per year, funds more than 2,500 researchers in academic institutions and policy research institutes throughout the UK and supports 2,000 postgraduate students. Its current research includes work-life balance and management practices, how to reduce poverty in Africa, and social trust and cohesion.

You can find out more at the ESRC website.

Why study social sciences and communications in the UK?

• The UK has one of the most highly developed and extensive media networks in the world. It sustains eight national daily newspapers, hundreds of magazines and periodicals, five terrestrial TV stations and countless other satellite and digital stations.
• The UK invests heavily in developing expertise in the media. The world-famous British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) attracts millions of pounds in revenue every year from the export of British TV programmes.
• The UK’s education system is constantly evolving and is an ideal place to research topics such as childhood development and learning techniques. UK graduates often go on to become advisers to government departments and educational establishments.

UK social sciences courses available to study

Social studies is the scientific study of human society and social relationships. It includes:

• politics
• anthropology
• economics
• education
• policy studies
• sociology
• social work
• human geography
• international relations

You can choose from HNC/HNDs, more than 100 foundation degrees, or a social studies degree such as a BA in Third World Development Studies or a BSc in Medical Anthropology.

UK communications courses available to study

Communications studies in the UK include:

• media
• publicity
• publishing
• journalism
• information services
• advertising
• publishing
• recording
• broadcasting.

A wide variety of HNDs and foundation degrees are available. You can also choose from an increasing number of media degrees, both specific (public relations, broadcast journalism or media production) and general (communications or media studies).

UK institutions provide high-quality teacher training at undergraduate level, leading to the award of a BEd (Bachelor of Education degree) and, in many cases, QTS (qualified teacher status). You can also study for an education-related BA degree. Foundation degrees and HNDs are available in subjects such as education and care, with many specialist courses at postgraduate level.

UK postgraduate social studies and communications degrees

Postgraduate degrees are either taught master’s and PG certificate/diploma, or research degrees (MPhil, MRes, PhD). You can choose from the fields of sociology, social policy and anthropology, human and social geography or media and communications.

Search for your ideal social studies and communications course in the course finder.