Social science is a range of academic disciplines that study human behavior, specifically how people interact, behave, evolve as a culture, and influence the world.
A degree in social science encompasses various academic disciplines, including political science, communication science, management science, psychology, archaeology, anthropology, human geography, economics, and linguistics.
Social science courses in the UK are available as undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees. To earn your degree as an international student, you can choose from the top colleges and universities in the UK that specialize in various social science programs.
A social science degree from UK universities will prepare you for a career in various fields, including human services, community health, psychology, education, substance misuse, and sociology.
Global ranking of some of the top universities in the UK for Social Science courses
Here is a list of the top universities in the UK that specialize in social science courses based on the " QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Social Sciences & Management ".
World Ranking |
University |
Location |
2 |
University of Oxford |
Oxford, United Kingdom |
3 |
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
London, United Kingdom |
4 |
University of Cambridge |
Cambridge, United Kingdom |
18 |
UCL |
London, United Kingdom |
25 |
London Business School |
London, United Kingdom |
35 |
The University of Manchester |
Manchester, United Kingdom |
40 |
The University of Warwick |
Coventry, United Kingdom |
42 |
King's College London |
London, United Kingdom |
=45 |
Imperial College London |
London, United Kingdom |
=53 |
The University of Edinburgh |
Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
=72 |
University of Leeds |
Leeds, United Kingdom |
=86 |
Durham University |
Durham, United Kingdom |
=97 |
University of Glasgow |
Glasgow, United Kingdom |
=132 |
City, University of London |
London, United Kingdom |
=132 |
Oxford Brookes University |
Oxford, United Kingdom |
=132 |
University of Birmingham |
Birmingham, United Kingdom |
Programs for Bachelors of Social Science with tuition fees in the UK
The table below provides a list of some of the universities offering a bachelor's program in social science courses.
University |
Courses |
Duration |
University of Oxford |
Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics |
3 years |
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
B.Sc. History and Politics |
3 years |
University of Cambridge |
Bachelor of Arts in Human, Social, and Political Sciences (Hons) |
3 years |
UCL |
Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences |
3 years |
The University of Manchester |
Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in Sociology and Philosophy |
3 or 4 years |
The University of Warwick |
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminology |
3 years |
King's College London |
Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences |
3 years |
The University of Edinburgh |
MA Social Policy and Sociology |
4 years |
University of Leeds |
Bachelor of Science in Social and Political Sciences |
3 years |
Durham University |
Bachelor of Arts in Combined Honours in Social Sciences |
3 or 4 years |
Academic Requirements
- An undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 70% at the intermediate level/ +2.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: All bands have a minimum score of 6.5 and a minimum of 5.5.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum overall score of 71 with no less than 15 sub-score in all bands.
- PTE: An overall score of 50.
University |
Tuition fees per annum (Home) |
Tuition fees per annum (Oversees) |
University of Oxford |
£9,250 |
£29,500 |
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
£9,250 |
£24,264 |
University of Cambridge |
£9,250 |
£23,340 |
UCL |
£9,250 |
£26,600 |
The University of Manchester |
N/A |
N/A |
The University of Warwick |
£9,250 |
£22,280 |
King's College London |
£9,250 |
£21,840 |
The University of Edinburgh |
£9,250 |
£23,100 |
University of Leeds |
N/A |
N/A |
Durham University |
N/A |
N/A |
Programs for Masters of Social Science with tuition fees in the UK
Here is a list of some of the universities along offering a master's degree in social science courses.
University |
Courses |
Duration |
University of Oxford |
Master of Science in Sociology |
1 year |
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
M.Sc. in Philosophy of the Social Sciences |
1 year |
University of Cambridge |
M. Phil. in Sociology (Political and Economic Sociology) |
1 year |
UCL |
M.Sc. in Global Prosperity |
1 year |
The University of Manchester |
MA in Social Anthropology |
1 year |
The University of Warwick |
Master of Arts in Sociology |
1 year |
King's College London |
Politics & Contemporary History MA |
1 year |
The University of Edinburgh |
M.Sc. Sociology and Global Change |
1 year |
University of Leeds |
Master of Arts in Social Research |
1 year |
Durham University |
M.Sc. in Sociology |
1 year |
Academic Requirements
- A Bachelors degree in the relevant field from an accredited institution.
- A minimum score of at least 60%.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: Overall minimum score of 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in all bands.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE: An overall score of 70.
University |
Tuition fees per annum (Home) |
Tuition fees per annum (Oversees) |
University of Oxford |
£19,970 |
£30,330 |
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
£15,816 |
£24,456 |
University of Cambridge |
£15,582 |
£31,293 |
UCL |
£16,500 |
£26,600 |
The University of Manchester |
£11,500 |
£23,000 |
The University of Warwick |
£10,430 |
£23,460 |
King's College London |
£11,040 |
£24,660 |
The University of Edinburgh |
£16,200 |
£25,300 |
University of Leeds |
£9,750 |
£21,250 |
Durham University |
£9,400 |
£22,500 |
Programs for Doctorate in Social Science with tuition fees in the UK
Universities that offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in social sciences also offer Ph.D. courses. Here is a list of colleges that offer doctoral degrees in several social science fields.
University |
Courses |
Duration |
University of Oxford |
Ph.D. in philosophy of social sciences |
3-4 years |
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
Ph.D. in Demography (Social/Formal) |
3-4 years |
University of Cambridge |
Ph.D. in Sociology |
3-4 years |
UCL |
Ph. D. Social Science |
3 years |
The University of Manchester |
Ph.D. in Sociology |
3 years |
The University of Warwick |
Ph.D. in Sociology |
3-4 years |
King's College London |
Ph.D. in Politics and Contemporary History |
3 years |
The University of Edinburgh |
Ph.D. in Social and Political Science |
3 years |
Academic Requirements
- A Bachelors degree in the relevant field from an accredited institution.
- A relevant master's degree
- A minimum score of at least 65% with no mark below 55%.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: Overall minimum score of 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in all bands.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE: An overall score of 70.
University |
Tuition fees per annum (Home) |
Tuition fees per annum (Oversees) |
University of Oxford |
N/A |
£15,820 |
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
£4,612 |
£20,928 |
University of Cambridge |
£9,111 |
£27,048 |
UCL |
£7,580 |
£18,660 |
The University of Manchester |
£4,596 |
£20,500 |
The University of Warwick |
£4,596 |
£20,720 |
King's College London |
£6,120 |
£22,980 |
The University of Edinburgh |
£4,596 |
£23,350 |
Top Social Science University in the UK: Specialization
Social science encompasses a wide array of academic disciplines. Some of them are listed below
- Anthropology
- Communication studies
- Economics
- Education
- Geography
- History
- Law
- Linguistics
- Political science
- Psychology
- Sociology
Top Social Science University in the UK: Scholarships
Some of the scholarships offered to international students at different universities in the UK are listed below.
University |
Scholarships |
Amount |
University of Oxford |
Oxford-Berman Graduate Scholarship |
N/A |
Oxford Kobe Scholarships |
£15,609 |
|
The University of Manchester |
Manchester Alumni Scholarship |
£3,000 |
The University of Warwick |
Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship |
Full tuition fee |
Albukhary Undergraduate Scholarships |
Tuition fee |
|
King's College London |
King's Scholars of Tomorrow |
£2,000 |
The University of Edinburgh |
Asylum Seeker Scholarship |
Tuition fee and living cost |
Macqueen Scholarship |
Ph.D. tuition fees and a maintenance stipend of £15,700, and a £750 annual research grant. |
Top Social Science University in the UK: Scope
Typical jobs in social science include advertising, psychology, teaching, law, management, social work, and economics. The business sector depends heavily on the social science discipline of economics. Many industries evaluate and forecast business, sales, and other market trends using economic analysis and quantitative approaches. In fact, economists are among the most in-demand professions in the United States.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of economists will increase by 13% between 2020 and 2030, compared to an average of 8% for all occupations. The BLS forecasted that from 2020 to 2030, employment in the field of social work would increase by 12%, contributing to the expectation that social workers will also be in high demand.
Job Sectors
- Professional roles in various national and international NGOs, civil society and charity organisations
- Civil service careers
- Researchers and research analysts for state and independent bodies
- Professions in various criminal justice institutions
- Accounting and Finance careers
- Academic careers and doctoral scholarships for further study
- Teaching Careers
- Social Work
- Careers and Employability Assistant
- Customer Representatives and HR Graduates
- Directorate Administrators
- Event Administrator
- Resident Tutors
- Management Trainees
- Marketing & Development Coordinators
- Senior Sales Consultants
Top recruiters
- Cambridge Judge Business School
- Centrica PLC, Choice
- Spotify
- Common Vision UK
- Credo Care
- Girlguiding
- Hawkins Estate Agents
- Holmfirth Junior and Infants
- Imperial College London
- National Counties Building Society
- Oslo University Hospital
- Qualia Analytics
- Teachfirst
- Orange Tree