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At Swansea University’s School of Social Sciences, students develop into career-ready graduates — the kind with many opportunities in their future. Hrisha Ramjee, a BSc Economics student, can attest to this. “I love that the university’s employability team are very helpful when it comes to your placements and working prospects. The university supports you to find part-time jobs, such as the student ambassador scheme where you can earn money while studying and gain work experience and skills for the future,” she says. “Once I complete my degree, I will be looking at finding a graduate placement and eventually continue to further study with the goal of setting up my own business in the future.”
The School of Social Sciences gives students the tools they need to get a job after graduation. In fact, many courses include a year abroad and/or a year in industry option, which are fulfilling journeys that have helped many students reach their goals — and so much more. A year studying abroad provides the opportunity to experience new cultures, meet people from around the world, and develop a global mindset in preparation for their future. A year working in industry offers the invaluable experience of undertaking employment in the real working world, which will help students develop a range of skills that makes them an attractive candidate for jobs after graduating.
To help you achieve your dreams, Swansea University also has many student services available. Alongside the university’s support services, the School of Social Sciences has a dedicated Student Experience and Information team situated on our two campuses to provide professional, student-centred guidance and support across several key areas including, personal, funding, or academic issues.
To support funding your studies, there are also scholarship opportunities available for international students. Besides being a source of funding, scholarship holders will have access to a number of exclusive scholarship-holder events where they can build their skills and meet like-minded students, including specialist senior networking opportunities. For postgraduate students, for example, there are many scholarship opportunities, including International Excellence Scholarships, Indonesian LPDP Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, Music Scholarships and more.
Source: Swansea University
Below are the four departments comprising the school. Each features in-depth explorations of their subject matter with up-to-date curricula maintained by academic and industry experts.
Education and Childhood Studies
The Education and Childhood Studies department produces graduates with a broad range of knowledge covering the study of curriculum and pedagogy, leadership and management in education, additional learning needs, equality and diversity, parental engagement in education, and more. A popular pathway to PGCE Primary / early years teaching is the Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status, BA (Hons), a research-led, three-year programme in a subject area ranked in the Top 15 in the UK (Complete University Guide 2024). It covers education in multiple settings — including early years, schools, further and higher education, social services, and local and national systems — and focuses on employability with optional work placements.
For those who have already achieved their undergraduate degree and want to further their speciality, the Education, MA or Childhood Studies, MA is the perfect next step. These programmes are the right choice if you want to specialise and work in sectors such as children and young people’s services; counselling; local, national and international policy development; research; youth and community work; or earn a doctorate.
Economics
The Economics department is home to sector-leading research across various areas, such as productivity, energy economics, economic growth and development, game theory and more. Its graduates are just as successful, with the skills and knowledge learned helping prepare them for many career options, including opportunities to work for large companies such as Barclays, HSBC and PwC.
The Economics, BSc (Hons) helps students understand modern economic principles and contemporary issues. If you have already achieved your undergraduate degree, Swansea University offers an Economics, MSc and an Economics and Finance, MSc which can take your knowledge base to the next level. These programmes train students to become professional economists with the ability to understand and conduct innovative research in both theoretical and applied situations.
Many academics bring their industry experience into the classroom to ensure students are taught the most current theory and practice. Globally, Business and Economics at Swansea University, as a subject area, is ranked in the Top 175 in the World (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2023).
Teaching here is also informed by research. For instance, the Head of the Economics Department is Nigel O’Leary, a Professor of Economics, director of WELMERC (Welsh Labour Market Evaluation and Research Centre) and a co-director at WISERD (Welsh Institute of Social and Economic Research Data and Methods). With teaching linked so closely to academic research, this provides opportunities for students to get involved in current research centre projects, working collaboratively with academic staff to make an impact on society.
Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy
The Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy department has a thriving academic and research community that is continuously evolving, ensuring that graduates are equipped to meet the challenges posed by the ever-shifting landscapes of criminology and criminal justice. At Swansea University, Criminology is ranked Top 10 in the UK for Career Prospects (Guardian University Guide 2024), and Social Policy at Swansea is ranked Top 5 in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024).
Successful alumni of the Sociology, BSc (Hons) programme can go on to work in youth organisations, education, journalism, policy development, legal, police and probation services, marketing and advertising, ecology and environmental planning. This degree gives you the vital theoretical foundation to understand human behaviour on a social, cultural, and political scale.
In Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology, MA, postgraduate students learn about the causes of crime, the criminal justice system and other cutting-edge themes supported by academics with real-world experience. Guest speakers from the industry — including senior criminal justice practitioners and policymakers — bring modules to life with real-world insights.
Politics, Philosophy and International Relations
The School of Social Sciences’ Politics, Philosophy and International Relations department challenges students to examine complex societal issues and is known for ground breaking research produced by expert academics. The International Relations, BA (Hons) and Politics, BA (Hons) include the opportunity for competitive entry onto a placement with the Welsh Parliament as part of the “Welsh Parliament / Senedd Cymru” module. Imagine the wealth of knowledge you can gain with the experience of being partly taught by expert staff from Welsh Parliament.
The university is also one of a limited number of institutions selected to partner with the UK Parliament to deliver the Parliamentary Studies module, taken in the final year of studies, which includes sessions delivered by experts and members of staff working at the UK Parliament as well as by the university’s academics. There is also a day-long visit to Westminster, as well as talks with senior Members of Parliament. Meanwhile, for postgraduate students, the International Relations, MA prepares students for careers in UN organisations, government and politics, humanitarian organisations, business, media and PR.
To explore vital issues such as climate change, sustainable development, migration, terrorism, inequality, and poverty, and how they affect the world in which we live, choose the Politics, BA (Hons). This is a pathway to the Public Policy, MA, which grows skillsets in public policy and policymaking at international, national and sub-state levels. It is also a pathway to the Development and Human Rights, MA, which is ideal for those looking to work with foreign or aid ministries, in national public sectors, or with other humanitarian organisations, including inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations.
“I would absolutely recommend Swansea University to other international students,” says Maya Dotson, an MA International Relations student. “I have found an amazing community both on and off the campus. I am taking courses that are challenging, intriguing, and enlightening. It is one of the most welcoming and humble places I have lived and studied.”
Visit Swansea University’s School of Social Sciences website.
If you have any questions about our degrees or studying at Swansea University, please email study@swansea.ac.uk
To find out more about international student life at Swansea, visit the university’s dedicated international student webpages.
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