Find your course

Academic programs

University of Southampton is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world according to the Times Higher World University Rankings 2009. The School of Social Sciences, at the University, combines academic excellence with an innovative approach to research in all its course offerings. The seven divisions of the School offer 19 undergraduate and 21 postgraduate programmes that are internationally recognised.

Ageing/Gerontology: The Centre for Research on Ageing offers MSc, PhD, postgraduate certificate and short courses in Gerontology. The postgraduate degree programmes in Gerontology equips students with skills to pursue a wide range of careers, including work in policy development, evaluation of services, social and health care provision, nursing and medicine, housing and transport design, engineering, leisure, and the voluntary sector. The programmes also lead to exciting research opportunities, both within higher education and think-tanks.

Applied Social Sciences: The Applied Social Sciences division offers undergraduate honours programmes that are built around its four internal ‘pathways’, namely general pathway, anthropology, criminology and criminology & psychological studies.

Economics: The division of Economics offers undergraduate study, postgraduate taught degrees, research degrees and research programmes. The School offers an active and stimulating research environment with an extensive programme of seminars and research workshops. Graduates go on to take up successful careers as academics or as economists in the public and private sector.

Politics and International Relations: The postgraduate research training at the division of Politics and International Relations has been granted a mode A recognition by the ESRC. This speaks for the excellence in the teaching and research at the School leading to MPhil and PhD degrees and innovative MSc programmes, in addition to an array of undergraduate programmes.

Social Statistics and Demography: The Social Statistics and Demography division has an outstanding international reputation in statistics and demography. Postgraduate taught degrees, research degrees, research and professional development programmes are offered. The School uses both innovative and traditional teaching methods to provide a top class student experience.

Social Work Studies: The division of Social Work Studies offers undergraduate study, postgraduate taught degrees and research degrees. Graduates equipped with a social work qualification can take up careers like counselling, public sector management, advice service, personnel work and training.

Sociology and Social Policy: The Sociology and Social Policy is a lively division having an excellent reputation in teaching and research. The RAE (2008) ranked the division third in the country demonstrating the brilliance of their research. The division offers undergraduate study, postgraduate taught degrees, research degrees and research.