Social Sciences with Data Science BSc
London, Bloomsbury
This is the programme information for 2026 entry
This BSc degree programme focuses on understanding the social and economic forces that shape our world. Crucially, it combines insights from the social sciences with rigorous training in data science skills, which are highly valued in the labour market. You will study at least three social science disciplines including sociology and economics.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Programme starts
September 2026Application deadline
14 Jan 2026UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAA
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- ABB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
- Points
- 38
- Subjects
- A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 34 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 33 credits at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects.
AAA at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and AAA at Higher).
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Additional tests
TARA Admissions Test
For the 2026 cycle, alongside the UCAS application, UCL will require all applicants to the above programme to sit the TARA (The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions) run by University Admissions Tests UK.
TARA is a new test available to UCAS applicants applying for the 2026 Admissions cycle onwards. It is a non-subject-specific test designed to assess essential skills required for undergraduate study. There will be an entry fee for the test. More information about the test including deadlines for when to register for the test can be found on University Admissions Tests UK website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 3
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
Social Sciences with Data Science gives you a comprehensive understanding of a diverse range of social and economic issues, empowering you to address them with data-driven insights. The programme combines a solid foundation in social sciences with advanced training in data science, equipping you with the skills to analyse and solve real-world problems from multiple perspectives.
You will be embedded in a very international environment and taught by staff who are world-leading in their research and scholarship. IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, has been ranked Number 1 in the world for Education for the past eleven years (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
There is also an optional opportunity to spend your third year abroad (students who do this will complete four years of study in total).
What this course will give you
This multidisciplinary programme allows you to choose from a wide range of modules across the social sciences, enabling you to tailor your studies to your own interests and to tackle real-world problems from multiple angles. No prior knowledge of coding or statistics is needed. We will start from the basics and take you step by step through the training.
You will receive state-of-the-art training in social data science in collaboration with UCL's Social Data Institute, an innovative partnership to train the next generation of social data scientists. The specialist skills you will acquire through this training are highly valued in a range of jobs in government, business, research, media, and non-profit organisations. The institute also offers tailored internships at relevant employers (subject to a competitive selection process) that give you the opportunity to put your data science skills to practice.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Social Sciences with Data Science.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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Each year, at least two of the eight modules that you take will cover data science. You can also choose modules on other social science subjects from across UCL, subject to availability.
Year one provides a firm foundation in the core disciplines of sociology and economics. It also covers the principles of social science research and the basics of data science.
In year two, you take a double module on data analysis and six optional modules in the social sciences.
In year three, you undertake a dissertation project on a topic of your choice, under the supervision of a member of staff. You also take at least two advanced data science modules. In addition, you take between one and four optional modules (depending on how many advanced data science modules you select).
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Compulsory modules
Your learning
Teaching will be delivered through lectures, seminars allowing in-depth discussion, computer laboratory classes on data analysis, group work, and UCL's virtual learning environment.
Students usually take four modules each term. Most modules have a weekly lecture and seminar. For some modules the lecture and seminar are provided jointly in a workshop format. Depending on your module choices, you will have between 10 and 14 hours of "classroom time" per week. In addition, students are expected to spend 20 to 25 hours per week on self-directed study.
Assessment
Assessment is through a mix of exams, practical exercises, essays, presentations, and a dissertation in the final year of study. The weight given to each assessment method will vary across modules to ensure manageable workloads throughout the programme.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
Visit us
Online - Open day
Social Sciences with Data Science information video
Watch this video to find out more about Social Sciences with Data Science at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.
The foundation of your career
Our degree uniquely blends a broad social science education with hands-on training in data science – creating the perfect foundation for a successful career in government, business, or research. In today’s world, many of the most urgent issues are complex and interconnected, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to truly understand them. At the same time, to make a real impact and tackle these issues, one also needs the ability to derive actionable insights through rigorous data analysis, taking advantage of the increasing availability of many different kinds of data. Our degree enables you to bridge this nexus, giving you a comprehensive understanding of many societal issues as well as the tools to undertake and critically review advanced data analysis. The breadth and depth of the provided social scientific and methodological training will also equip students well for Master's or PhD study.
Employability
A degree combining social science with data science gives you excellent employment prospects, as graduates with strong data science skills and a broad social scientific background are in short supply though much-needed in a variety of sectors. Graduates with such profiles are especially sought after in government organizations, research institutes, non-profit organizations, consultancy, journalism, financial institutions, and marketing. However, with their broad training and versatile skillset, our graduates are also popular among a wide range of other employers.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £9,535 |
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £36,500 |
Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
You will require a calculator of the Casio FX83 or Casio FX85 ranges for use in exams. Such a calculator can be purchased for around £15. For details please see the UCL examinations guide.
Please note that if you study abroad during your programme at UCL, you are likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.
For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
We are seeking driven individuals who possess a strong interest in acquiring data science skills and applying these skills to address social issues. Our ideal applicants should exhibit genuine curiosity and a collaborative spirit, being eager to leverage critical thinking and data-driven approaches to investigate social problems.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Got questions? Get in touch
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