Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences
Open University
Key Information
Campus location
Online United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
2 - 4 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 6,924 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* cost per year full-time; £3,462 - cost per year part-time
Introduction
In this diploma, you'll discover how social scientists answer some of today’s most pressing questions and how they find evidence to test their ideas and theories. Through investigating topics such as consumption, parenting, and globalisation, you'll explore the way our lives are shaped by individuals, groups and institutions By the end of your studies, you’ll have changed the way you look at the world forever and gained a range of valuable analytical and evaluative skills, opening up employment opportunities in private, public and voluntary sector organisations.
Key features of the course
- Draws on ideas from criminology, economics, geography, politics, psychology and sociology.
- Gives fascinating insights into our everyday lives and how they are shaped by the social worlds in which we live
- Enhances your employability with valued skills, including analysing and evaluating evidence, communicating ideas and information to different audiences
- Provides an ideal stepping-stone towards further study
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- face-to-face tutorials/day schools/workshops and/or online tutorials
- finding external/third party material online
- continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
- using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
- engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your diploma.
Program Outcome
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Curriculum
Course details
This diploma has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- You’ll start Stage 1 with an introductory social sciences module, and then you'll choose one module from a range of subjects that includes psychology, criminology, economics and personal finance, or interdisciplinary social science.
- Next, at Stage 2, you’ll begin with a sociology module before choosing one in either criminology, psychology, economics, environmental studies, politics, or religious studies.
Prepare for OU study with an Access module
We offer two starting points depending on how confident you are or how long it’s been since you last studied. Choose to dive straight in at Stage 1, or if you’d prefer some extra preparation, you can get started with an optional Access module.