MA Health in Social Science

Year 1

You will explore the social causes of health and illness, and their often equal impact on different communities and social groups, drawing upon examples from around the world. This leads to the study of how individuals and cultures understand:

• health and illness
• associated beliefs and behaviours
• the related concepts of deviance and stigma

Optional courses

You will select four courses from a wide range of options from schools across the University. We offer Year 1 courses in disability studies, counselling & psychotherapy and an option to volunteer in the local community.

Year 2

In Year 2, you will:

• study current key health issues of local and global importance, with expert researchers in the fields
• gain an understanding of how knowledge is produced and used in real-life situations
• be introduced to how language shapes societies and individuals
• focus on the role of language in communicating about health in society (like the media and health promotion literature) and in healthcare settings
• gain hands-on experience in developing your own communication skills

You will choose four courses from the wide range of options available.

Students can choose from our course offerings in disability studies, counselling & psychotherapy and trauma.

Year 3

You will:

• learn research skills
• explore compassion, empathy and ethics as critical to care
• examine care alongside consideration of the concept of the person, spirituality, individuality and dignity
• study mental health problems and the therapeutic alliance

You will choose three courses from the wide range of options available. We offer our own honours option provisions which include exploring nature's impact on health, disability studies, drug policy and the body at the centre of a sociological exploration of wellbeing.

Students can also look at other Schools' offerings in a variety of subjects.

Year 4

In your final year, you will examine:

• critical challenges in interdisciplinary work
• effective health and social care partnerships
• leadership and change management
• public health initiatives
• community collaborations for enhancing health at individual and community scales

You will produce an individual research project (dissertation) supported by a member of teaching staff.

You will choose two courses from the wide range of options available. As in Year 3, students can opt for our Honours option provisions which include exploring nature's impact on health, disability studies, drug policy and the body at the centre of a sociological exploration of wellbeing.

Students can also look at other Schools' offerings in a variety of subjects.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

The School of Health in Social Science is in the University's Central Campus area with easy access to the University's Main Library and computer facilities.

Study abroad

In Year 3, you may be able to study abroad through the University's international exchange programme.

• What are my choices for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• seminars
• online resources
• group work

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed primarily through coursework and your individual research project in Year 4.

Graduates may pursue careers in areas such as:

• health services management
• policy and research
• health journalism
• health education
• patient advocacy
• health promotion
• community services
• the voluntary sector
• liaison roles in health and social care
• project management or coordination

The programme provides a foundation for further professional career development. You may also continue your studies at the postgraduate level in:

• social science fields
• social care
• healthcare

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Health in Social Science

Additional costs

There are no compulsory additional costs on this programme.

You may wish to buy books and there may be a small expense for public transport fares involved in the optional community engagement courses.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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