Social Sciences are increasingly important in a world with rises in accessbility and information. Postgraduate Social Science courses endeavours to undertand the social network and values of other countries to a deeper level, enabling us to become part of the global community. International Graduate talks to Tim Williams from the School of Social Sciences at City University, London about the increasing global opportunities for social science graduates and why mastering this subject is a must.

What qualities do you look for in graduates who are attracted to a Masters in Social Science?

If you are a graduate who finds themselves interested in the behaviours and interactions of people and society and often wonder why these behaviours and interactions take place then postgraduate study in the bounds of the Social Sciences is definitely an area of study for you. The subjects within the umbrella of Social Sciences courses cover a plethora of contemporary issues and the research arising from the Social Sciences commonly influences policies on a number of national and international levels. Therefore, if you are interested in working on an international level, as well as in your own country, then a Masters in Social Science can be highly beneficial!

What study options are available for Master Programmes In Social Science?

Although not necessarily thought of as a true science, graduate Social Science courses cover a wide variety of academic disciplines that examine the human aspects and interaction of the world and they can differ from similar disciplines such as those within the humanities by emphasising the use of scientific method and rigorous standards of evidence in the study of humanity, including quantitative and qualitative methods. Social Sciences may cover but is not limited to the following range of subject areas:

• Anthropology
• Communication
• Criminology
• Economics
• Education
• Linguistics
• Media
• Politics
• Psychology
• Social Policy
• Sociology

These subjects are often again broken down into sub categories when taught at a postgraduate level and follow many differing pathways and specialisms. With the evolution of globalisation and internationalism some subjects of a contemporary nature are becoming increasingly popular and are more readily available to study than others. Specialisms within the Social Sciences include Economic based programmes such as International Business Economics, Financial Economics and Economic Evaluation and Healthcare; Sociology programmes including Refugee Studies, Race and Ethnicity, Social Research Methods and Transnational Media; Psychology based programmes including Social Psychology, Organisational Behaviour, Psychometrics and Health Psychology; Political programmes may cover subjects such as International Politics, Politics and Human Rights and Political Communication; Media based programmes can envelop Media and Communications, Transnational Media and Media and Human Rights.

These Social Sciences specialisms are then refined even further within each subject into modular topics that cover specific issues. These issues can range from the criminal justice system in modern society, the complex interconnections between media and human rights, controversies and challenges arising from global and transnational social transformations, globalisation of the world economy and the increase in competition; right through to examining sociocultural factors that may contribute to disease or how people function in work environments.

Are there any course entry requirements for international students who wish to study for a graduate course in the Social Sciences?

In order to study the Social Sciences at postgraduate level potential students are often encouraged to have completed a first or second-class honours degree in a social science discipline, however other relevant subjects may be considered or relevant work experience within the Social Sciences may also be acceptable. If you feel that you may not meet the entrance requirements for a programme it is important that you discuss this with the institution before giving up hope. For postgraduate study at an English educational institution if your first language is not English you may also be asked to show evidence that your command of the English Language is suitable for the programme that you intend to study. Various universities and colleges will recommend a suitable pre-sessional programme or a foundation/introductory programme that will enable you to progress through to the postgraduate programme if they feel that you fall short of the programmes’ entrance requirements.

What Global Opportunities are available for Social Science graduates?

This of course depends upon the particular social science course that you undertake. As an example Sociology based programmes extend opportunities towards working as specialists in a variety of local, national and international settings including non-governmental and not-for-profit organisations, international development agencies, local and national government, academic and social research organisations, trades unions, community based organisations and campaign groups; Economics graduates can find opportunities as economists in economic and management consultancy, multinationals, government agencies and in business and finance; and Psychology graduates who have undertaken postgraduate study can find opportunities within Psychology research, have become Chartered Psychologists in a number of disciplines and have gone on to become academics in their field.

As you can see, graduate Social Sciences courses encompass numerous avenues of study and cover a wide range of issues that relate to humanity; the programmes are extremely diverse in flavour and all relate to the examination of Human Behaviour.

Any final advice for an international students who may be considering a Social Science Masters?

Whatever field of social sciences you decide upon, ensure that you have recognised the best programme to suit your personal needs, take your time in deciding, and most important of all - enjoy the Social Sciences!