Social Sciences
Think differently about the world you live in. Explore global and local issues. Gain experience in relevant organisations, and graduate equipped to help change society for the better.
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Courses we offer
You will always be developing up-to-date knowledge about the very best of current policy and practice on our courses because we have excellent working partnerships with a wide range of local companies and organisations. Take a look below to find the right one for you.
Undergraduate courses

BSc (Hons) Professional Policing
Drawing on our knowledge and expertise in Police Investigation and our well established reputation in Criminology and Law fields, we've launched a new degree for 2020: the pre-join degree in Professional Policing. The degree follows the National Policing Curriculum and provides you with the skills and knowledge to become a police officer.
Find out more about Professional Policing
BSc (Hons) Sociology
Aspire to make a difference; look at the most important issues facing our society today such as political economy, families, poverty, culture, sexual politics and much more. Study up-to-date sociological theory alongside a wide range of sociological topics, with a strong emphasis on professional opportunities and employability.
Find out more about Sociology
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care
Prepare yourself for the increasing number of jobs in the highly rewarding areas of health and social care. Develop your knowledge and skills in areas such as psychosocial perspectives of health, counselling, research, health improvement and behaviour change.
Find out more about Health and Social Care
BA (Hons) Community and Youth Work Studies
Make a real difference to the lives of young people aged between 13 and 19 and their communities. Become a professionally qualified youth worker with a course accredited and endorsed by the National Youth Agency.
Find out more about Community and Youth Work Studies
BA (Hons) Social Work
Develop your ability to work effectively with children, young people and vulnerable adults, and shadow qualified social workers in practice. This course combines an honours degree with a professional qualification in social work approved by Social Work England and endorsed by the College of Social Work.
Find out more about Social Work
BSc (Hons) Criminology
Learn about crime, criminal behaviour and punishment, visit criminal courts and prisons, and take advantage of volunteering opportunities and an optional placement in a relevant organisation. Develop analytical and practical skills in both quantitative and qualitative research, often needed for further academic study, and highly sought after by employers.
Find out more about Criminology
BA (Hons) Childhood Studies
Refine your professional approach, build up the graduate attributes of a reflective practitioner, and cover a range of topics that include child development, early years, the primary curriculum and family studies. Combine practical skills with academic rigour, and work more effectively with children in a variety of contexts.
Find out more about Childhood Studies
BSc (Hons) Sociology with Integrated Foundation Year
This is a four-year version of our popular BSc (Hons) Sociology course, with an integrated foundation year. Aspire to make a difference; look at the most important issues facing our society today such as political economy, families, poverty, culture, sexual politics and much more.
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Sociology with Integrated Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care with Integrated Foundation Year
This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Health and Social Care course, with an integrated foundation year. Prepare yourself for the increasing number of jobs in the highly rewarding areas of health and social care. Develop your knowledge and skills in areas such as psychosocial perspectives of health, counselling, research, health improvement and behaviour change.
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care with Integrated Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) Criminology with Integrated Foundation Year
This is a four-year version of our popular BSc (Hons) Criminology course, with an integrated foundation year. Learn about crime, criminal behaviour and punishment, visit criminal courts and prisons, and take advantage of volunteering opportunities and an optional placement in a relevant organisation.
Find out more about BSc (Hons) Criminology with Integrated Foundation Year
BA (Hons) Childhood Studies (0-11 years) with Integrated Foundation Year
This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Childhood Studies, with an integrated foundation year. Refine your professional approach, build up the graduate attributes of a reflective practitioner, and cover a range of topics that include child development, early years, the primary curriculum and family studies. Combine practical skills with academic rigour, and work more effectively with children in a variety of contexts.
Find out more about BA (Hons) Childhood Studies (0-11 years) with Integrated Foundation Year
BA (Hons) Community and Youth Work Studies with Integrated Foundation Year
This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Community and Youth Work Studies course, with an integrated foundation year. Make a real difference to the lives of young people aged between 13 and 19 and their communities. Become a professionally qualified youth worker with a course accredited and endorsed by the National Youth Agency.
Find out more about BA (Hons) Community and Youth Work Studies with Integrated Foundation Year
BA (Hons) Childhood and Society Studies (Top-Up)
Want to top-up a Foundation Degree to a full honours degree? Take advantage of a degree-level opportunity for professional development that is perfect if you are working with young people in the early years or primary education sectors. Take up an optional pathway in Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.
Find out more about Childhood and Society Studies (Top-Up)
(Foundation Degree) Education and Care
Working with young people in nurseries, primary schools, youth centres or similar setting? This foundation degree provides a professional development opportunity for you, mixing academic rigour with practical skills that you can apply directly to your workplace. Open doors to new opportunities in the education and care of young people.
Find out more about Education and Care
(Foundation Degree) Health and Social Care
Have experience in the field of health and social care? This foundation degree, which has been developed in recognition of the multidisciplinary nature of current and future occupational destinations within the health and social care fields, will help you build on your knowledge and add to your skills. Understand organisational dynamics and specialise in particular pathways, areas and topics of interest.
Find out more about Health and Social Care
BA (Hons) Community and Youth Work Studies - PT
Make a real difference to the lives of young people aged between 13 and 19 and their communities. Become a professionally qualified youth worker with a course accredited and endorsed by the National Youth Agency.
Find out more about Community and Youth Work Studies
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care
Prepare yourself for the increasing number of jobs in the highly rewarding areas of health and social care. Develop your knowledge and skills in areas such as psychosocial perspectives of health, counselling, research, health improvement and behaviour change.
Find out more about Health and Social Care
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care via Study Centres
Prepare yourself for the increasing number of jobs in the highly rewarding areas of health and social care. Develop your knowledge and skills in areas such as psychosocial perspectives of health, counselling, research, health improvement and behaviour change.
Find out more about Health and Social Care via Study Centres
FdSc Criminal Justice
Gain a comprehensive and critical understanding of crime and punishment. Think criminologically. Progress onto the final year of the BSc Criminology course.
Find out more about Criminal Justice
Customised Awards Scheme
Pick and choose the modules you want to study to build a tailor-made course. Available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, this course allows you to gain a qualification that closely matches your particular needs.
Find out more about Customised Awards SchemePostgraduate courses

MSc Inequality and Society
Why are some groups more equal than others? Why does inequality happen and how can we tackle it? This exciting and unique course will offer you the chance to deepen your understanding of inequality in our social world, both locally and globally.
Find out more about Inequality and Society
MA Social Work
Earn a qualification approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Combine theory and practice. Undertake high quality work placements with employers across public/voluntary and private sectors endorsed by the College of Social Work.
Find out more about Social Work
MA Childhood and Youth Studies
Develop your understanding of children, childhood and youth. Choose from three different pathways, depending on your interests, previous experience and career goals. Graduate capable of working in a wide range of sectors.
Find out more about MA Childhood and Youth Studies
MPhil Master of Philosophy
Take your education to the next level. Choose the areas you want to study, and which questions you want to research. Take the initiative while we support you with advice, guidance and facilities.
Find out more about MPhil Master of Philosophy
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Refine your own agenda and do what you find interesting every day. Develop mastery of research methods that are appropriate to your chosen field. Discover things that no-one else has ever discovered.
Find out more about PhD Doctor of Philosophy
DProf Professional Doctorate
Study for a doctoral qualification based on your professional role. Reflect on contemporary issues in the workplace.
Find out more about DProf Professional Doctorate
PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work
Take the fastest route to a PhD. Convert your previous research outputs into a qualification which will increase your employability and open up new opportunities. Progress your academic career and add credibility in applications for research funding.
Find out more about PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work
Higher Doctorate
Take your academic career to the highest level. Make a very significant and sustained contribution to your subject. Gain an elite qualification that will mark you out as an outstanding contributor to your field.
Find out more about Higher Doctorate
Customised Awards Scheme
Pick and choose the modules you want to study to build a tailor-made course. Available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, this course allows you to gain a qualification that closely matches your particular needs.
Find out more about Customised Awards SchemeUndecided? We'll wow you.
Take our Virtual Campus TourMake a difference
Social Sciences help us understand and contribute to our complex society. Here at Sunderland, our Social Science courses develop skills in critical thinking, communication and teamwork that will help you make a difference in changing society for the better, and our research in Social Work was described as ‘world-leading’ by the latest Research Excellence Framework.
You can also boost your employability further by utilising the strong partnerships we have with employers, voluntary organisations, local authorities and hospitals, providing you with the opportunity to further your learning in an environment that allows you to make a real difference.
Work relevant courses
Several of our Social Science courses have been designed with Continuing Professional Development in mind and some also have professional accreditation. They are particularly relevant if you work in the field of health and social care, or work with children, young people, families and the elderly, and want to update your skills for the new multi-disciplinary and inter-agency working practices.