Social Science Foundation Year
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Social sciences help us to identify trends, explore relationships, challenge prejudices and gain a deeper understanding of the societies in which we live and work. This understanding equips us with the tools to question current thinking and inform future social policy.
This foundation year, which covers the areas of sociology, politics, and criminology, prepares you for degree level study in a range of social science subjects. Through engaging with real world issues, you’ll begin to develop the critical thinking, communication and problem solving skills that are essential for both further study and employment.
Following successful completion of the foundation year you will qualify to join any of the following degrees:
Social sciences help us to identify trends, explore relationships, challenge prejudices and gain a deeper understanding of the societies in which we live and work. This understanding equips us with the tools to question current thinking and inform future social policy.
This foundation year, which covers the areas of sociology, politics, and criminology, prepares you for degree level study in a range of social science subjects. Through engaging with real world issues, you’ll begin to develop the critical thinking, communication and problem solving skills that are essential for both further study and employment.
Following successful completion of the foundation year you will qualify to join any of the following degrees:
UCAS Code
L3L4
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department
Social Sciences
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2024 or September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Find out what our Social Sciences students and staff are taking part in and achieving.
Our Department of Social Sciences is a community that equips you to make a positive social change, become a critical thinker, a problem solver, and to challenge what you think, see and hear.
Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university videos and articles.
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Social Sciences Foundation Year. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
The course offers a range of learning opportunities in a challenging, stimulating and dynamic environment. Core modules are aimed at developing your knowledge and understanding of theory and practice. You will also learn how to collect and analyse data as you explore the research methodologies used across the social science disciplines.
Teaching methods include lectures, small-group discussions and individual tutorials, guided study and independent learning. These will be supported by regular feedback sessions during which you can discuss your progress with a personal tutor and ask further questions.
The assessment strategy is both professionally and academically focused giving you the best opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. You might be asked to complete multiple choice tests, write essays, complete document analysis, understand qualitative and quantitative data, produce a presentation or compile a portfolio.
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Social Science Foundation Year. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
When you enrol on Northumbria’s Social Sciences Foundation year you will join a community of students, researchers and staff with enquiring minds and a real desire to improve people’s lives.
You will learn from enthusiastic and well-published lecturers who have established a high quality, research-led approach to teaching, combined with first class support. The academic team includes practising researchers and leaders in their field, many of whom are actively involved, through their research, with real issues that face the community.
Staff research and professional expertise inform all elements of teaching to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to move on to undergraduate study.
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Social Science Foundation Year. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
You will be part of an exciting, vibrant and dynamic department which has received continued praise for the quality of its teaching and learning, student support and engagement, and the research rich environment it offers students.
Where appropriate we make use of technology to enhance teaching and extend your learning experiences beyond the traditional lecture/classroom environment. These include the eLearning Portal (Blackboard), which provides online access to module materials, video podcasts and online quizzes. We also use TurnitinUK (a web-based plagiarism detection tool) and electronic reading lists to improve your learning experience.
The teaching team are always keen to pioneer new approaches to engage you via smartphones, associated apps and social media.
Come and explore our outstanding facilities in this interactive virtual tour.
At the heart of each Northumbria campus, our libraries provide a range of study space and technology to suit every learning style.
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Social Science Foundation Year. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
Research excellence is embedded into all of your modules. This contemporary and innovative approach to learning draws on the latest academic theory and practice to develop your understanding of research methods and to arouse your curiosity.
As you progress through the course you will learn how to conduct research, critically assess the work of others, investigate and solve problems and to translate findings into intellectual questions and arguments.
Research in Social Sciences is supported by one specialist Research Centre and three Research Groups: International Development; International Public Policy and Management; Civil Society and Citizenship; Crime and Justice.
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Social Science Foundation Year. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
The foundation year offers an insight into all of the essential disciplines within the area of Social Sciences. On successful completion you will be in the best position to choose the right undergraduate degree for you, whether your interests lie in Criminology, Sociology, Politics or Media.
Whatever route you decide to follow, you will move on with the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate. These include strong employability skills such as independent learning, critical reflection, collaboration, curiosity and problem solving.
You can boost your CV and develop your experience whilst studying at Northumbria.
From first year through to final year and beyond graduation, we are here to help.
We have a fantastic service for students' to use to gain advice and tips on furthering careers and enhancing their employability.
Careers and Employment Services
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Social Science Foundation Year. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
80 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
80 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,250
* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.
EU Fee in Year 1: £18,250
International Fee in Year 1:
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
UK Fee in Year 1*: TBC
* Government has yet to announce 25/26 tuition fee levels. As a guide, 24/25 fees were £9,250 per year.
EU Fee in Year 1: **TBC
International Fee in Year 1:
TBC
ADDITIONAL COSTS
TBC
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
AD3002 -
Crime and Society (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will be introduced to the concept of crime and its manifestations within society. You will explore the different types of crime that exist and the platforms on which they take place; consider perspectives that help explain why these crimes occur; investigate ways in which we respond as a society to those who commit crime and look at different approaches used to prevent it. You will also explore the different career and study routes that are available to you within the crime / criminal justice sector.
As well as the above core knowledge areas, you will also be introduced to and will develop key skills needed to understand and talk about crime within society and within a Higher Education environment. For example, you will be introduced to different information sources; academic referencing; essay and report writing and presentation skills. All of these will prepare you to progress to the next level of study.
AD3004 -
Sociological Imagination (Core,20 Credits)
This module will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of sociology as a discipline and to begin to develop your own ‘sociological imagination’. Central to this is an understanding of how individuals not only shape the world around them but are also shaped by it. This is the core focus of sociology and will be the focus of this module. It will draw on contemporary social issues and problems to help you understand society and the role of sociology in understanding and seeking to change it.
This module introduces you to key ideas and vocabulary in the in the study of society, such as ‘agency’ and the notion of the structured social world and therefore the foundation of society such as the family, identity, the role of the state, crime and punishment and economic inequality etc. Throughout the module you will be supported to be self-reflective about your place in the social world and to consider if your own attitudes and beliefs are the result of your own free will (agency) or the consequence of pressure from wider social forces, or maybe even both.
The module will introduce and assess a number of important academic skills including writing for academic purposes, accessing and evaluating different information sources, academic referencing, group work and presentation skills. This module will prepare you for further study in higher education and, more specifically, for the study of the sociology and/or other social science subject areas.
AD3005 -
Politics and Decision Making (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will be introduced to the concept of power through which you will gain an insight into the world of politics and how collective decisions are made. As part of this you will investigate who makes decisions, how decisions are made, what factors influence decision-making and what is the impact of decisions. This will be examined through studying a number of real world, contemporary and often controversial issues, which will help you better understand domestic and international politics, political processes and the role of ideas in decision-making.
In addition to the above, you will also be introduced to and will develop key skills needed to communicate your understanding within a Higher Education environment. For example, you will be introduced to different information sources; academic referencing; and writing. All of these will prepare you to progress to the next level of study.
AD3039 -
Big Ideas: Issues and Debates in the Social Sciences (Core,20 Credits)
You will be introduced to some of the key issues and debates in the social sciences such as those around a good life/society, democracy, citizenship, social change, mobilities, solidarities, power, culture and identities/self. These issues will be illustrated through classical and contemporary case studies, demonstrating links to the undergraduate curricula in the social sciences, notably criminology, sociology, politics and international development. A range of social scientists (from criminology, sociology, politics and international development) will also reflect on how their disciplines have developed distinctive professional practices and identities as they have engaged with these ‘Big Ideas’ in recent years.
More informationAD3040 -
Social Sciences Portfolio: Skills for University (Core,20 Credits)
Through this module, you will be supported to develop a range of skills which will be critical to succeeding with the foundation degree and your subsequent undergraduate programme. Specifically, the module will cover: managing the transition to university life; key academic skills, such as referencing, research, communication and team-work; Students will undertake a group research project, demonstrating and evidencing the broad range of academic, professional and personal skills which they have developed through their learning.
More informationAD3041 -
Encounters that shape our worlds (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will (a) explore the meaning of encounters and the relevance of encounters to the social sciences; (b) consider the ways in which history and our understanding of society have been shaped by encounters and (c) consider the ways in which specific encounters can help us understand actions, events and ideas that have shaped our world.
Encounters offer a lens through which we can look at and understand concepts, ideas, and debates central to the social sciences, including globalisation, colonialism, imperialism, and knowledge itself. Examples of the types of encounters this module looks at include the encounter between Moctezuma and Cortez in Latin America in the 16th Century (that laid the foundations for colonialism and exploitation of the global South), and the more recent example of Australians encountering Uluru in the 1990s, until that point called Ayres Rock, which allows us to explore notions of indigenous knowledge and land rights in former colonies. Other encounters will be drawn from the breadth of human history.
Staff delivering the module will draw on their own knowledge, experiences, and research to develop interactive sessions around a range of known encounters that feature in contemporary literature.
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
AD3002 -
Crime and Society (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will be introduced to the concept of crime and its manifestations within society. You will explore the different types of crime that exist and the platforms on which they take place; consider perspectives that help explain why these crimes occur; investigate ways in which we respond as a society to those who commit crime and look at different approaches used to prevent it. You will also explore the different career and study routes that are available to you within the crime / criminal justice sector.
As well as the above core knowledge areas, you will also be introduced to and will develop key skills needed to understand and talk about crime within society and within a Higher Education environment. For example, you will be introduced to different information sources; academic referencing; essay and report writing and presentation skills. All of these will prepare you to progress to the next level of study.
AD3004 -
Sociological Imagination (Core,20 Credits)
This module will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of sociology as a discipline and to begin to develop your own ‘sociological imagination’. Central to this is an understanding of how individuals not only shape the world around them but are also shaped by it. This is the core focus of sociology and will be the focus of this module. It will draw on contemporary social issues and problems to help you understand society and the role of sociology in understanding and seeking to change it.
This module introduces you to key ideas and vocabulary in the in the study of society, such as ‘agency’ and the notion of the structured social world and therefore the foundation of society such as the family, identity, the role of the state, crime and punishment and economic inequality etc. Throughout the module you will be supported to be self-reflective about your place in the social world and to consider if your own attitudes and beliefs are the result of your own free will (agency) or the consequence of pressure from wider social forces, or maybe even both.
The module will introduce and assess a number of important academic skills including writing for academic purposes, accessing and evaluating different information sources, academic referencing, group work and presentation skills. This module will prepare you for further study in higher education and, more specifically, for the study of the sociology and/or other social science subject areas.
AD3005 -
Politics and Decision Making (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will be introduced to the concept of power through which you will gain an insight into the world of politics and how collective decisions are made. As part of this you will investigate who makes decisions, how decisions are made, what factors influence decision-making and what is the impact of decisions. This will be examined through studying a number of real world, contemporary and often controversial issues, which will help you better understand domestic and international politics, political processes and the role of ideas in decision-making.
In addition to the above, you will also be introduced to and will develop key skills needed to communicate your understanding within a Higher Education environment. For example, you will be introduced to different information sources; academic referencing; and writing. All of these will prepare you to progress to the next level of study.
AD3039 -
Big Ideas: Issues and Debates in the Social Sciences (Core,20 Credits)
You will be introduced to some of the key issues and debates in the social sciences such as those around a good life/society, democracy, citizenship, social change, mobilities, solidarities, power, culture and identities/self. These issues will be illustrated through classical and contemporary case studies, demonstrating links to the undergraduate curricula in the social sciences, notably criminology, sociology, politics and international development. A range of social scientists (from criminology, sociology, politics and international development) will also reflect on how their disciplines have developed distinctive professional practices and identities as they have engaged with these ‘Big Ideas’ in recent years.
More informationAD3040 -
Social Sciences Portfolio: Skills for University (Core,20 Credits)
Through this module, you will be supported to develop a range of skills which will be critical to succeeding with the foundation degree and your subsequent undergraduate programme. Specifically, the module will cover: managing the transition to university life; key academic skills, such as referencing, research, communication and team-work; Students will undertake a group research project, demonstrating and evidencing the broad range of academic, professional and personal skills which they have developed through their learning.
More informationAD3041 -
Encounters that shape our worlds (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will (a) explore the meaning of encounters and the relevance of encounters to the social sciences; (b) consider the ways in which history and our understanding of society have been shaped by encounters and (c) consider the ways in which specific encounters can help us understand actions, events and ideas that have shaped our world.
Encounters offer a lens through which we can look at and understand concepts, ideas, and debates central to the social sciences, including globalisation, colonialism, imperialism, and knowledge itself. Examples of the types of encounters this module looks at include the encounter between Moctezuma and Cortez in Latin America in the 16th Century (that laid the foundations for colonialism and exploitation of the global South), and the more recent example of Australians encountering Uluru in the 1990s, until that point called Ayres Rock, which allows us to explore notions of indigenous knowledge and land rights in former colonies. Other encounters will be drawn from the breadth of human history.
Staff delivering the module will draw on their own knowledge, experiences, and research to develop interactive sessions around a range of known encounters that feature in contemporary literature.
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS
International applicants please apply using the links below
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
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