Social Science in UCC

ElizabethM

Hello,
I'm currently in sixth year and its time to start thinking about filling in the CAO. I've always been a little confused about what I wanted to do and I've thought about being a variety of different things! The Social Science course in UCC kind of caught my eye. I'm interested in helping people and understanding people. I'm not entirely sure what I'd do after I graduate, but I like the idea of working with teenagers or even children in some shape or form.

I just wanted to hear your thoughts on the course and if any of you could answer any of my questions. I would really really appreciate it because I've been feeling awful recently as I'm so confused about my future.

Elizabeth

dazftw

I'm in first year for social science now, it's quite interesting and the lecturers are pretty good so far. We cover a variety of subjects.. Sociology, social policy, economics, philosophy and psychology.. Kinda in that order in terms of how much we have it a week. Hours are quite short.. About 14 hours a week including tutorials.

If you want to know anything else let me know!

ElizabethM

dazftw wrote: »

I'm in first year for social science now, it's quite interesting and the lecturers are pretty good so far. We cover a variety of subjects.. Sociology, social policy, economics, philosophy and psychology.. Kinda in that order in terms of how much we have it a week. Hours are quite short.. About 14 hours a week including tutorials.

If you want to know anything else let me know!

Thank you so much for your reply. I've thought about things since this post and decided against this course. I just don't think its for me, though I could end up changing my mind! I was wondering what do you plan on doing after you've finished the course? I read that further study would be needed in order to get a qualification. Thanks.

dazftw

ElizabethM wrote: »

Thank you so much for your reply. I've thought about things since this post and decided against this course. I just don't think its for me, though I could end up changing my mind! I was wondering what do you plan on doing after you've finished the course? I read that further study would be needed in order to get a qualification. Thanks.

Yeah it's 3 years but I'll probably be doing 4 to specialise in an area and have a better chance at finding employment.

Most courses though when you think about it are 5 years for grad-postgrad where this is only 4.

That said I've talked to a few people here and they have had friends/relatives who have walked into jobs pretty easily after this programme.

edei

hi dazftw


Im looking into ucc degrees, im not sure if psychology or social science. Could you tell me a bit more about social science? what kind of jobs can you do once you finish? how is the jobs market for these graduates? i would like to do research about peoples behaviors and to do surveys... is that anything similar to what you do? did you say its your first year? is it challenging? oh my god, i have so many doubts and questions!

Thank you!

dazftw

edei wrote: »

hi dazftw


Im looking into ucc degrees, im not sure if psychology or social science. Could you tell me a bit more about social science? what kind of jobs can you do once you finish? how is the jobs market for these graduates? i would like to do research about peoples behaviors and to do surveys... is that anything similar to what you do? did you say its your first year? is it challenging? oh my god, i have so many doubts and questions!

Thank you!

Just seen this now, I chose Social Science because it was 3 years and broad enough so I could have some time to make up my mind about which direction I wanted to take. I plan to go on to do a 4th year in a specialised area. I'm half way through 1st year and I haven't gotten lower than a 62% in all my assignments and essays. Anything 70% and above is regarded as a 1st grade. I say this because I finished my leaving cert almost 10 years ago and did very bad (below 150 points). I'm finding it easy enough and enjoyable.. then again its only 1st year.

We have a psychology module but its only once a week. I'll probably be dropping it next year if I have the option. I'm sure we'll be doing surveys, research assignments and the likes next year if not in the 2nd semester of 2014.

There's jobs alright but you really have to do 4 years and obtain a masters to really get the most from the degree (so I've read and heard)

A few of the people in my course with me said they wanted to do Psychology but didn't get the points so went with Social Science.. Could be an option for you?

Apart from that UCC is great in general.

auskid

currently a mature student in social science...first year is a bit of a drag but the course really opens up in second year and is much more interesting...a good choice for any unsure person as it opens a lot of avenues down the line..also the lecturers and department in general are great.....my advice go for it but just get over first year its pretty dull

dazftw

auskid wrote: »

currently a mature student in social science...first year is a bit of a drag but the course really opens up in second year and is much more interesting...a good choice for any unsure person as it opens a lot of avenues down the line..also the lecturers and department in general are great.....my advice go for it but just get over first year its pretty dull

I've been finding 1st year dull as well, especially since Christmas. Looking forward to next year!

auskid

Hang in there dazftw it really does get better..i would recommend in second year the crime and deviance module for on e of your sociology, models of democracy for philosophy, conflict transformation and peace building is also excellent.......also make your you go to all your last few lectures in all subjects they will practically tell you whats on the tests....good luck

merkal

hey guys

i'm hoping to get a place in social science as a mature student this year. i have children so i'm looking for some info on the timetable so that i can start to organize childcare options. how many hours approx a week? ( i think ye said 14?) and more importantly, what TIMES are these lectures mostly- morning, afternoons, evenings? kids finish school at 2,30pm. would there be classes EVERYDAY after this time?

i appreciate your help, if you have any extra info you think i might need i'd be grateful!

auskid

Hi merkal....I am just getting ready for my second year exams so I think I might be in a good position to help you on this...I am also a mature student and I live with my partner and her child..she also attends the college...first year social science in my experience was pretty full on on Monday- Wednesday and filters off on Thursday and Friday..before Christmas..after Christmas the schedule drops again slightly..I didnt particularly enjoy first year as it takes a few months just to get your head around being in college but trust me the course improves vastly in second year when you get to select the majority of your modules and can tailor them around your home situation..for example since Christmas I have been off on wednesdays and thursday and finished at 1pm on Fridays...finished at five on mondays but only start at 3 and do a 11-2 on tuesdays.

I found that a lot of first year was irrelevant and you can actually skip lecutres here and there to suit your schedule..The course is very much mature student friendly and the staff are excellent with helping people who are under pressure with deadlines and things like that...In my opinion it is the best course for mature students and opens the best avenues for further study like a masters..One thing I will say is that you will have to be thinking about your masters sooner rather than later as your second year modules can effect what road you take further on...A social science degree in itself is fairly useless and is only a stepping stone..Have you an idea what you want to do later on...I have done a lot of work looking into such avenues if you need any help on that..

Have you done the MSAP exam...what did you get as an verall average

merkal

thanks so much auskid, that's a great help! yeah the msap results came out and i scored in the 92 percentile, i'm hoping that'll be enough. i have experience in childcare and did a fostering course but no social care course, i wonder will that go against me getting a place?
i am interested mainly in psychology and social work. i am hoping that my first year will give me a better idea of where my strength lies.

so in regards to first year only (as that is all i can get my head around for now), did you have classes everyday after 3?

atsural

You can check next years timetables on timetable.ucc.ie that will bring you to a home page and there's an option to check next years timetables

merkal

atsural wrote: »

You can check next years timetables on timetable.ucc.ie that will bring you to a home page and there's an option to check next years timetables

i've tried that astural but all that comes up for me looks like a calender , not actual times of lectures.

merkal

merkal wrote: »

i've tried that astural but all that comes up for me looks like a calender , not actual times of lectures.

ah i see it now! that's a great help thanks.

auskid

Dont know if last years timetables are any good to you because the college is changing to semesterisation this year which means all timetables will be reviewed and changed for most courses...

Merkal that score will 110% guarantee you social science if you picked it as your first choice....

Just on the social work side of things...in order to do the master in social work you need to havee 1 think 300 voluntary hours built up and you can begin them in the summer between first and second year and it counts towards your second year results...one thing i will say is that the college year flies and you will have to be thinking beyond the degree before you even know it.

The masters in social work is two years and 6250 per year or something like that alllthough if your on SUSi fees grant then it will cover it...what turned me off it is that the course is very full on time wise and is considered a professional course which means that attendance is mandatory and monitored..you must be at 80% of course lectures etc Which trust me is hard especially when you have real life going on around you.

You will touch a little bit of psychology but its light enough and philosophy also..

First year social science is very policy and political based with a fair bit of sociology aswell...

Second year you can kind of branch off into more sociology or social policy depending on your preference...

Im not trying to scare you or anything with tals of masters but with social science you have to be keeping an eye on your direction because from the start the options you choose can effect your direction...

Hope i helped a bit

merkal

yes you've helped a lot auskid. i am very interested in doing the psychology conversion course when i'm finished social science, if not then it'll probably be the masters in social work. i'm really excited. do you have any idea how long we have to wait before we get offered a place?

auskid

Usually in the first couple of weeks in June for round one but I have heard people being offered in August when people have refused and the places are reallocated...you will be top of the list with that score trust me. Where is this psychology course you mention offered is it in Ucc?...Psychology in first year is interesting but in second year is very boring ...it is tough enough aswell as it is a colege wide module so you are in huge huge lectures with people from a lot of different courses including the main psychology course which means the marking is tough enough..that was my experience of it anyway...

merkal

auskid wrote: »

Where is this psychology course you mention offered is it in Ucc?...

CKA01- check it out.


yes its in ucc. its a higher diploma. it takes 2 years and it basically converts your degree into a degree with psychology as the main subject. my passion is psychology and had i known i would do so well in the msap i would have applied for one of the 4 mature places for applied psychology but i didn't think i had a hope so i never put it down.

but i've always had a leaning towards social work and i love the variety that is included in social science- learning a language , philosophy etc...i figure i'll see how i go the first year and then decide whether to proceed in the social work direction or the psychology direction.

auskid

without being too intrusive ...will you be applying for back to education allowance and susi fees grant...just be aware that you will not be entitled to this for that conversion course...so basically you will have pay for it and support yourself..just to help you cover all the bases..As far as I know the psychology degree is pretty tough to get as a mature student there is a lot of competition..and I heard the interview can be strenuous enough with a lot of prior reading needed on the topic..

auskid

apologies because it is a hdip course you might get the back to education allowance but not susi grant...it would be touch and go for the btea because you wouldnt be progressing ie you would allready have a level 8 degree

merkal

auskid wrote: »

without being too intrusive ...will you be applying for back to education allowance and susi fees grant...just be aware that you will not be entitled to this for that conversion course...so basically you will have pay for it and support yourself..just to help you cover all the bases..As far as I know the psychology degree is pretty tough to get as a mature student there is a lot of competition..and I heard the interview can be strenuous enough with a lot of prior reading needed on the topic..

ah i did NOT realize that. i'm gutted. i totally forgot that for BTEA it has to be a 'progression' in achievements. but why would SUSI not cover the grand aspect?

auskid

you sure you shouldnt change your first choice to psychology on the cao and take a punt...put social science number 2 id imagine youll still get it..

merkal

i don't know auskid.... actually the change of mind forms came today so i'd have to get on that asap.
i am afraid of two things

1. putting all my eggs in one basket with JUST psychology and then feeling like i've made a mistake

2. the social science course seems a good fit for someone going back to education after 20 years - challenging but not TOO hard, good timetable.....was hoping i could see how i'd handle socsc and then ease into psychology when i'm more ready. ****..... what to do, what to do

auskid

susi grant states that you must progress aswell....you can get susi for a level nine masters...not for a level 8 masters as you would not be progressing from level 8 degree...

btea only goes as far as level 8 but if your postgrad is a hdip you can in certain instances qualify...its to cover trainee teachers who do arts and do a level 9 hdip in education to become teachers so that they can keep a welfare payment while they study....id imagine you could argue that hdip is hdip no matter what course..

Please dont take my advice as i dont want to sway how you feel....but in my opinion from the minimal exposure to psychology i have had its hard...also the social science course in my opinion is the best fit for someone who is returning to education after a long gap..the staff are experts in dealing with such cases...in psychology you would be very much part of the 18 year olds entering college and therefore be expected to be able to compete immediately with them ..There is a definate bedding in allowanace in the social science...Id doubt if it was the same in psycholgy

In the two years i have done psychology I have done 2 assignments and one test....the assignments were the worst scores I have got in any assignment out of roughy 40 at this stage...

As i said that is my opinion but its horses for courses...

Dont underestimate how hard returning to college actually is...especially when the honeymoon period is over...as a mature student with a family your home life will double if not treble the difficulty levels....

merkal

well thank you for TERRIFYING me!!! ha ha only kidding yeah i know its gonna be hard, in particular all the extra studying at home and deadlines. that is the reason i am MORE scared of the psychology course. nevertheless i LOVE to learn about psychology and would love a chance at a career in some aspect of that field.

so are you saying that BTEA would also stop for ANY masters i would do?

auskid

yes btea stops at level 8 unless your post grad is a hdip...and as far as i know (and trust me i have spent hours on this contacting susi and welfare office) the only dip courses are for the teachers...I knew this for a while now but every mature student in my class is only just becoming aware of the hazards......

It is very easy to get a level 8 degree using susi and btea.....it is a different kettle of fish going to a masters....you will have to work to support yourself allthough susi will pay for it....that is why the social work masters is a difficult ask...you spend 3 months of both years on work experience basically making you unable to work..in other three months of both years you are in intensive classes with a full timetable which also makes it difficult to work...

I work 3-4 days at the moment no bother with the social science...

So I am going to do a one year masters with a dissertation at the end...much more manageable for a mature student

See that is why at the beginning I told you you gotta be thinking straight away about your path as a mature because of the pitfalls and traps further on ALL FINANCIAL...

auskid

so basically if you do the 2 year conversion for psychology there is a chance you would get the btea but its gonna cost 10400 over two years to do it

alternatively you can do a level 9 masters susi will pay for it...but you will have to fend for yourself financially

Ya see pitfalls ,,,hazards

merkal

yes i see. ok i have a lot to think about. thank you so much for all the information, you've really helped.

auskid

No bother best of luck

merkal

good news auskid!

i called SUSI and they will cover the fees for the psychology conversion course. the reason for this is because even though it is only a hdip, it is still a postgrad course as you HAVE to have completed a degree for entry into this course, so it satisfies the condition for progression.

then i called BTEA. they were a bit unsure, (about everything to be honest) but they too said they will continue to pay while i am on this course although the lady i spoke to said that BTEA is under review again and she can't say that the same rules will apply anytime in the future.

sooooo i'm hopeful again.