Thousands of students take social sciences courses with The Open University each year. The appeal is broad because the many subjects that come under the social sciences umbrella provide fascinating insights into everyday life in our communities, families and workplaces.

Social Sciences Programme

This is the Faculty's largest Programme and comprises the majority of courses developed by the Faculty. Subjects in the Programme include the core disciplines of Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Politics, Social Policy, Criminology, and Economics. These are often taught and assessed in an interdisciplinary way giving students the opportunity to engage with a broad range of issues affecting contemporary society. There are various undergraduate qualifications available including degrees, certificates and diplomas, all of which help students develop a wide range of transferable skills and open up many career options. Examples of awards on offer include BA/BSc (Hons) Social Sciences, BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychological Studies, Foundation Degree in Financial Services and Foundation Degree in Counselling. Details of other awards can be found on the qualifications page.

Psychology Programme

The popularity of courses and awards in Psychology indicates a growing fascination with human behaviour and relationships. Psychology is perhaps best described as the study of how people perceive, process information, think, act, react and interact. The Programme features a BSc (Hons) named degree which helps students analyse and understand ideas, theories, methods and debates in this area. It also entitles graduate students to recognition by the British Psychological Society.

Environment, Development and International Studies (EDIS) Programme

Encompassing courses in Science, Technology and Social Sciences, the EDIS Programme focuses on the environmental, political and cultural issues affecting today's society. The Environmental Studies degree concentrates on the relationship between human activity and environmental effects in areas such as agriculture, transport and urbanisation and explores the options for managing them. The International Studies degree gives students an understanding of contemporary global concerns and of the political, economic, environmental and cultural dynamics of the global system. From 2009, the Programme has a new undergraduate award in Environmental Science.