Join our friendly social science community at Royal Holloway. You will benefit from teaching in small groups and receive individual support to develop valuable knowledge and skills for a wide range of careers.
We offer a range of programmes including an undergraduate BSc in Social Science taught at our Egham campus and an MSc in Social Work taught at our central London campus, as well as an MSc in Advanced Practice and postgraduate research degrees (PhD and Professional Doctorate). All our degree programmes are grounded in contemporary research and critical use of theory from across the social sciences including sociology, social policy, social psychology, ethics, law and discipline-specific theories.
Undergraduate Studies
Learn to take a broad view of current social issues and explore them from a range of different social science perspectives.
Our BSc Social Science degree is delivered by academics from the Social Work division of the Department of Law and Criminology. Students will learn from subject leaders from within sociology, criminology, law, social policy and social work. This degree enables students interested in the Social Sciences to develop a broad view of current social issues and problems, exploring them from a range of perspectives. These include understanding social systems and people in society from sociological, social policy, social psychological, socio-legal and applied ethical viewpoints. Following an initial grounding in these key areas, years two and three include a range of optional subjects which allow you to develop particular strands of interest, from sociology of youth to madness in society, drugs, crime, gender and sexuality. You can further enrich your studies through opportunities such as the additional placement or take a year abroad.
Our graduates go on to a wide range of careers in the public and third sectors, community, education and youth work, legal and advocacy sectors, social research or postgraduate study.
- You'll gain experience in the workplace through our optional volunteering module
- You'll explore policy in action by evaluating real-world services and interventions
- You'll undertake activities that deepen your understanding of cultures and communities in modern Britain
Find out more about our BSc Social Science course here:
See also the interdisciplinary BSc Sociology and Philosophy course here:
For enquiries on undergraduate admissions please contact Dr. Tim Sinnamon here.
Postgraduate studies
As one of the largest providers of continuous postgraduate Social Work training in the South East we are proud of our long-established programmes and excellent reputation with employers. Our research and teaching derives from the key objective of ensuring that contemporary social work, health and social care practice can be informed at every level by a sound knowledge and value base. You'll learn from academic staff with professional, teaching and research qualifications.
In our social work programmes, we are committed to developing critically-reflective research-informed practitioners who can provide effective social work services for the most vulnerable in our society, within an anti-oppressive framework. Teaching and learning are underpinned by a wide variety of commissioned research in national and international social work and health arenas and practice placements. Our supportive learning environment receives excellent feedback from students, many of whom return to continue their advanced training and research.
- Benefit from strong partnerships across the Greater London and south-east region
- Teaching informed by our research and professional specialisms
- Taught at our London campus (postgraduate courses only)
- High levels of employability within six months of completion
Find out more about the postgraduate opportunities we offer:
MSc Social Work - link here
MSc Advanced Practice - link here
PGDip Social Work (Step up to Social Work)
MPhil/PhD
Social work admissions has moved to an online process. We welcome your application, please continue to apply via UCAS or Royal Holloway Direct. For more information about social work programmes see here:
We will accept applications via the UCAS Undergraduate Portal with course code L508
For enquiries on postgraduate admissions you can contact Prof. Jill Marshall here.
