Studying Humanities and Social Sciences in the UK and Ireland: A Subject Guide

What counts as humanities and social sciences

"Humanities" and "social sciences" are umbrella terms for a broad family of degree subjects that study people, ideas, societies and the past. They overlap rather than divide neatly, and most UK and Irish universities group them in faculties of arts, humanities or social sciences.

The humanities cluster typically includes history, English literature, philosophy, languages, classics, theology and the study of religion, art history and linguistics. The social sciences cluster typically includes politics and international relations, sociology, anthropology, economics, geography (human), criminology and social policy. Several subjects — such as anthropology or geography — sit across both. Check each university's own course finder, because the same subject can be housed in different faculties.

• Humanities-leaning: history, English, philosophy, languages, classics, art history
• Social-sciences-leaning: politics, sociology, anthropology, criminology, social policy, human geography
• Cross-over subjects: anthropology, geography, linguistics, economics

Most degrees are a named BA (or MA in Scotland)

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a humanities or social-science undergraduate degree is usually a Bachelor of Arts (BA), most often three years full-time. A few quantitative social sciences (such as economics or some politics programmes) may award a BSc instead.

In Scotland, the standard undergraduate humanities degree typically runs four years and the bachelor-level award is confusingly called an MA (Master of Arts) — it is an undergraduate qualification, not a postgraduate one. Scottish degrees are also broader in the early years, letting you take several subjects before specialising. In Ireland, most arts and social-science degrees are BA programmes, commonly three or four years. Course titles, lengths and structures vary, so always confirm the exact title, length and structure on the official course page.

• England/Wales/NI: BA (some BSc), usually 3 years
• Scotland: undergraduate MA, usually 4 years, broader early on
• Ireland: BA, typically 3–4 years

How these degrees are taught

Teaching in the humanities and social sciences is built around independent reading, discussion and writing rather than lab work. A typical week mixes lectures (large overviews of a topic), seminars or tutorials (small-group discussion of set reading), and a large amount of self-directed study in the library.

The Oxford and Cambridge model leans heavily on weekly tutorials or supervisions in pairs or small groups, where you discuss and defend an essay you have written. Most other universities use seminars of around a dozen students. Whatever the format, the expectation is similar: you read widely before class, form your own argument, and test it in discussion. The exact mix of lectures, seminars and independent study is published on each course's official page.

• Lectures introduce themes; seminars/tutorials debate them
• Heavy independent reading between contact hours
• Frequent essays and presentations alongside any exams

Assessment, the dissertation and skills you build

Assessment is usually a mix of essays (coursework), written examinations, presentations and, in the final year, a dissertation — an extended piece of independent research on a question you choose. Social-science programmes may add data-handling or research-methods modules, including basic quantitative and qualitative methods. The exact balance of coursework and exams differs by course and is set out on the official course page.

Across these subjects you develop a recognisable set of transferable skills: critical reading, building and defending an argument in writing, handling evidence and sources, and managing a long independent project. These are skills that many employers and postgraduate courses value, which is why these degrees can lead in many directions rather than to a single job.

Choosing a subject and a department

Because so many subjects sit under this banner, choose by genuine interest in the questions a subject asks, rather than by a perceived hierarchy — no subject here is universally "better" or more employable than another. Read several universities' module lists to see how a department frames the subject and what optional papers it offers.

Look at how a course is structured (single subject, joint honours, or a flexible liberal-arts style), the balance of coursework and exams, and whether you can take a year abroad or a placement. Open days and official course pages are the most reliable way to compare. Entry requirements, fees and module availability change each year, so verify the current details on each university's official website before applying.

• Compare module lists, not just course titles
• Check the coursework-to-exam balance
• Look for joint-honours, study-abroad or placement options
• Verify entry requirements on the official course page