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Social Sciences with Data Science BSc

London, Bloomsbury

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 the skills of quantitative data analysis that are highly valued in the labour market. You will study at least three social science disciplines including sociology and economics.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
Programme starts
September 2024
Application deadline
31 Jan 2024
UCAS course code
LG33

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
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.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA.

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.

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.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

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

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 combines systematic and thorough education in the social sciences with advanced training in data science.

Each year, two of the eight modules that you take will be on data science, offered by the UCL Q-Step Centre.

No prior knowledge of coding or statistics is needed. We will start from the basics and take you step by step through the data science training.

In all years you can choose optional modules from other social science subjects across UCL, subject to availability.

You may also opt to spend your third year abroad, returning to UCL for your final year of study.

What this course will give you

A multidisciplinary programme that allows you to choose from a wide range of modules across the social sciences and to tailor the programme to your own interests.

You will be trained in specialist skills in data science, which are highly valued and are in short supply among social science graduates. These skills are highly prized in a range of professions including the civil service, academia, journalism, financial analysis and marketing. 

Part of the UCL Q-Step Centre which offers state of the art training in social data science.

IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society is a world-leading centre for education and social science, ranked as Number 1 in the world for Education for the past ten years (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

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.

Year one provides a firm foundation in the core disciplines of sociology and economics. It also covers the principles and practice of social inquiry, and the basics of data analysis.

In year two, you take the double module of Data Analysis and six optional modules in the social sciences.

In year three, you undertake a dissertation on a topic of your choice, under the supervision of a member of staff. You also choose at least two of the following five Q-Step modules as your compulsory modules.

Causal Analysis in Data Science (POLS0012)
Measurements in Data Science (POLS0013)
Social Network Analysis (SOCS0081)
Cartography & Data Visualisation (GEOG0162)
Mining Social and Geographic Datasets (GEOG0051)

In addition you choose between one and four optional modules (depending on how many core Q-step modules you take).


 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules








Optional modules








Compulsory modules



Optional modules


Population Studies










Economic Sociology



Compulsory modules








Optional modules



Social Justice and Social Psychology


Your learning

Teaching will be delivered through lectures, seminars allowing in-depth discussion, computer laboratory classes analysing a range of different social science data, group work, and UCL's virtual learning environment.

Students take four modules each term. Each module has a weekly lecture and seminar. Dependent on your module choices you will have between 10 and 14 hours of "classroom time" per week. In addition, students can be expected to spend 20 to 25 hours per week on self-directed study.

Assessment

Assessment is through a mix of examinations, practical exercises, essays, individual and group 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

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Social Sciences BSc Information Session

Watch this video to find out more about UCL's Social Sciences BSc programme, entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Social Sciences with Data Science BSc Information Session

Watch this video to find out more about UCL's Social Sciences with Data Science BSc programme, entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

Having a degree in data science can improve your employment prospects, as graduates with strong quantitative skills and social science insights are in short supply. Professions include those in the civil service, academia, journalism, financial analysis and marketing. The breadth and depth of the social science subjects and the methodological training provided by this degree will also equip students for Master's or PhD study.

Employability

The UCL Q-Step Centre was set up in the UK as part of a £19.5 million programme to combat the shortage of quantitative skills in the social sciences.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £9,250
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400

UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee increases and subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Fees may increase year on year – see [INSERT HYPERLINK TO 25/26 T&CS] for more information.

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 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 the approved model of calculator for use in exams.  Currently this is either the Casio FX-85GT X or Casio FX-83GT X, which can be purchased for around £11 - £15.  For details please see the UCL examinations guide.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. 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.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

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

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.

Admissions tutor: Professor Tak Wing Chan. w.chan@ucl.ac.uk

Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Social Research Institute
Social Research Institute

bsc-socsciencesdatascience@ucl.ac.uk

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