Social Sciences

Social sciences graduates are found in almost every occupational field.

Skills you can develop

As well as the specific subject knowledge gained from studying an OU degree, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers and which will increase your employability.

The OU Careers Advisory Service defines employability as "A set of capabilities and achievements that support students in developing their careers, raising their aspirations and enhancing their contribution to society".

Whatever your motivations for study you are entitled to supported personal development planning either as an intrinsic part of your programme of study or through signposted optional activities. You can view the full Student Employability Policy Statement on our website.

For Social Sciences students the particular employability skills you will develop include the ability to:

• put together reasoned arguments and question assumptions
• understand the processes of change in society and its institutions
• draw together, analyse and critically evaluate information
• communicate concisely, clearly and accurately with others
• use ICT to research, identify and present information
• manage time and take on responsibility for your own development
• respond positively to critical feedback
• interpret, use and evaluate data.

To check which work-related skills can be developed from studying a particular subject, look at the Student Employability Profiles (PDF 3MB) on the Higher Education Academy website. Although these are designed for higher education practitioners, the subject profiles can help you identify the transferable skills you will gain from studying this subject area.

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Career opportunities

In the UK over 60% of graduates enter employment where a degree in any subject would be acceptable. In this instance what they offer the employer is evidence of the range of competencies which have been developed through their academic study, rather than the specific subject content of their degree. This page will focus on careers directly related to Social Sciences, however. if you want to explore all of the choices open to you, also refer to the 'Further Resources' section.

Given the current economic climate and the increased competition for graduate positions, it is important to consider a varied range of occupational areas. Bear in mind that many careers require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

Social sciences qualifications provide an excellent background for a wide range of careers. Opportunities can be found across all sectors and in a number of occupations. Education, central and local government, finance, health and social care, law, the media, public services, campaigning and research are frequent career choices.

Within the public sector, openings can be found in all areas of the criminal justice system, such as the police, prison and probation* services (*social work in Scotland), also administration and management of social services. Positions within civil and diplomatic services and local government are also popular choices. However, a consequence of the public spending cuts is expected to be a reduction in recruitment at all levels and currently in some UK regions, services such as the police and probation have halted recruitment completely.

Other careers include

• banking and finance
• politics
• journalism and broadcasting
• law
• teaching
• social work
• accountancy
• business management
• advertising and marketing.

We advise you to thoroughly research your career choices as early as possible, particularly in relation to experience required, differences relating to where you live, or where the study choices you make may affect future opportunities.

Use the Prospects website to explore career options related to this subject. Click on your subject to see examples of job roles and get information for further research.

If you live in Ireland look at the relevant information on career sectors and jobs with your degree on the Gradireland website.

To find out about ways of gaining experience through volunteering see our voluntary work pages.  You can also use the searchable databases on the following web sites:

• Do-it!
• Volunteer Scotland
• Volunteer Ireland
• Volunteering Wales

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Your employers

Rigorous academic standards ensure that OU qualifications are recognised and valued by professional organisations and employers.

As an OU student, you can access the Employer Showcase to find out about some of the employers who are keen to recruit OU graduates.

Some companies on the Employer Showcase that are particularly relevant to social sciences graduates are

• Co-operative Group
• Enterprise
• Heinz
• Metropolitan Police Service
• Royal Bank of Scotland Group
• Royal Mail Group
• Tesco.
• The NHS
• Waitrose

If you are a student you might want to see further advice from major employers on applications, the skills they require and the value of OU study. Go to our What employers say pages.

As an OU student you can register for our online vacancy service and receive email notification about job opportunities.

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Further resources

Use the other sections of this web site to

• plan your career
• explore your career options
• identify your achievements, skills and strengths
• get advice on job seeking.

OU students can find more information on the careers section of the Social Sciences subject website.

Don’t forget to check the careers home page regularly for news of events, forums, careers fairs and short courses. If you are an OU student you can participate in and read entries on our online forums.

If you are a current OU student (or finished your studies within the last three years) you are entitled to a careers consultation with a careers adviser in your region or nation. This is designed to help you through the planning process and identify an action plan for your future. (Non-OU students should go to the Contact page of this website for other sources of careers advice.)

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