Applied Social Sciences

Course description

This innovative degree breaks down the boundaries between different social science disciplines. In the first year, you'll study up to three subjects, examining societal issues from various points of view. In the second year, you choose up to two subject areas. In your third year, you'll choose just one area to specialise in from the following:

• Criminology
• Education, Culture and Childhood
• Human Geography
• Politics
• Sociology
• Social policy

There are plenty of chances to get valuable work experience, including on our placement scheme. You might work on a project for an industry partner, go on placement with a company or do consultation or research work for a government office or research centre.

Learning and assessment

Our courses draw on research and teaching expertise from across Sheffield's highly rated Faculty of Social Sciences. Our academics are highly respected leaders within their fields and are working at the cutting edge of their disciplines. Their world-class research addresses the major challenges facing society and it drives and enhances our teaching.

Assessment

Assessments on the course range from essays, projects and presentations to practical assignments based on real-life case studies and data. In your final year, you'll complete a dissertation and will be supported by a dissertation tutor.

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Graduate careers

Sheffield Methods Institute

Our courses have been specifically designed to meet the growing demand for social science researchers with data analysis skills. You might choose to apply your skills in the public or private sector, for a charity or an NGO.

Previous students from the SMI have gone into analyst roles in local government and the private sector. Some have gone onto research positions and others have started their own business.

Completing your application

The form is divided into two parts. Part 1 is for personal information, including English language ability, and previous education and employment. You have to complete all of the mandatory fields in this part (marked with a *) before you can go on to Part 2. Part 2 is where you select the course or courses you want to apply for. You can apply for a total of three different postgraduate courses.

Supporting documents

You'll need to include certain documents to support your application, for example evidence of your previous qualifications, and a personal statement. You can supply these simply by uploading them to the relevant sections of your application.

You can find more information about the supporting documents you'll need, and how to supply them, on our Supporting Documents webpage:

Supporting documents

Submitting your application

Your application will only be submitted to us when you click the 'Submit Application' button. If you've forgotten to fill in any sections, you'll be prompted to go back and complete them at this stage. When you've successfully submitted the completed form, we'll confirm this on-screen. We'll also send you an email confirmation.

If you want to apply for more than one course, you don't need to submit them all at the same time. Each course choice has its own 'Submit Application' button.

If you have any problems completing your online application, please contact us:

Contacts for prospective students

See our key dates webpage for application deadlines:

Deadlines for postgraduate courses

After you've applied

When we've created your applicant record, we'll send you a second email to confirm this. This email will include your applicant and choice numbers, as well as information about what happens next.

You can find more information about what happens after you submit your application, and about preparing to study at the University of Sheffield, on the After You Apply webpage:

After you apply