Social Sciences Foundation Year

Our one-year, full-time Social Sciences Foundation Year provides you with a broad knowledge of social science concepts, to launch your path to a degree in one of our many social science programmes.  

What you will study

The Social Sciences Foundation Year is multidisciplinary and will introduce you to core theories and ethical frameworks in:  

Law
Politics
Sociology, along with its component areas:
- Criminology
- Media and communications.

Across the year you will take modules in all these subjects in equal measure.

The foundation year will help you develop your ability to apply this knowledge, and the skills you have acquired, to the solution of real-world problems in the social sciences.  

You will study our applied module, Tackling Social Issues, and will also devise and deliver episodes of our social science broadcast, ‘The Weekly Social’, and take part in our social science Challenge Week where you work with a team on a focused project that benefits the communities we work with.

All foundation year modules can be viewed on your chosen degree page, under ‘course structure’ foundation tab.

You’ll also learn skills for your future career, including:  

Team-working  
Networking 
Independent research
Building an empathetic mindset, social awareness and capacity of intelligence-based decision-making.

Doing a foundation year, you experience multiple lecturers as well as guest speakers; the wide range of specialists willing to offer assistance puts us students at an overwhelming advantage. Christy Quirke

Teaching and learning

You will be taught by a multidisciplinary team of lecturers who are subject specialists in law, politics and sociology and are experts in shaping their teaching approaches to each student.

Your lecturers will equip you with academic skills that will form the base of your studies, e.g. written and oral communication, referencing and data analysis. They will share their enthusiasm for their subject whilst giving you a road map so you can succeed in your assignments.

The Social Sciences Foundation Year teaching team is:

Nayiri Keshishi (Programme Lead for Social Sciences Foundation) Nayiri offers specific expertise in learning and development in the social sciences and will lead on developing your skills as an independent learner.
Dr Simona Guerra
Claire Lillywhite
Dr Mark Shanahan.

All foundation students are assigned a personal tutor to support you while you study.

Day-to-day learning

We focus on active learning, encouraging you to take the initiative in finding answers to your questions, and on developing your skills for research, presentation or self-reflection.
Our foundation academics apply effective and innovative teaching methods through interactive learning – from debates, to simulations, to making your own videos and broadcasts.
You’ll benefit from group seminars, small group tutorials, projects and workshops, as well as lectures and external visits. We find that our students learn most effectively in this environment, and teamwork projects during the year will develop your skills in leadership, effective communication and analytical ability.

Assessment

Assessment is designed to develop and adapt your skills for further study and employment, giving you a great launchpad into your undergraduate study.

Assignments include vlogs, group presentations, essays, policy proposals and our 'Weekly Social' podcast. In each module, you'll have the chance to submit a formative piece of work for feedback before you submit the finished article. In every case you can also seek guidance and advice from experienced tutors who are there to support you to succeed in your ambitions.

I have been so impressed with the course so far! It’s clear to see how much work has gone into designing the course to really help students progress and settle into studying at uni, whilst also being really interesting! You guys do an awesome job, so thank you! Social Sciences Foundation Year student