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An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) Social Sciences
This is one of several specialist routes available in our BA (Honours) Social Sciences. You’ll be empowered to tackle global inequalities by learning to understand the interconnections between global, regional, national, and local processes of social change. You’ll take a critical approach to real-world issues, delving into policies, programs, and practices. By recognising the complexity of global inequalities, the Development route integrates diverse disciplines such as economics, sociology, politics, and geography, enriching your understanding of complex global challenges and their resolution.
This social sciences degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
At Stage 1, you'll begin with a broad introductory module covering key concepts and theories in the social sciences and addressing topics from criminology, economics, geography, politics, international studies, and sociology. You’ll progress to explore important global challenges: the climate crisis, legacies of colonialism and enslavement, and digital technology. You’ll also investigate how social science helps us understand those challenges and how you can respond to them as an active citizen.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll start your degree with:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
You’ll complete this stage with:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)60Oct | Feb

At Stage 2, you'll explore how the social world is being transformed by the internet and digital technology. You’ll also develop a critical perspective to apply to real-world problems and policies, programs, and practices.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll begin this stage with:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
You’ll complete this stage with:
Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)60Oct

You’ll begin by choosing from a range of social science modules and complete your degree by developing a better understanding of the interconnections between global, regional, national, and local change processes.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You’ll begin this stage with:
You'll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.
60See list
You’ll complete your degree with:
Investigating global development: crisis, complexity, change (D329) - planned for October 2026
60Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
You'll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.
60See list
Investigating global development: crisis, complexity, change (D329) - planned for October 2026
60Oct

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s one 60-credit module each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You'll study the following:
Introducing global development: poverty, inequality, sustainability (D229)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
You'll choose one from this list of Stage 3 option modules.
60See list
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll complete your degree with the following:
Investigating global development: crisis, complexity, change (D329) - planned for October 2026
60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by tutors, quality materials, interactive resources, tutorials, and individual feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Development) upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2026/27 information will be published on the 18th of March, when this qualification next opens for registration.

6 years
£3,892*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 6 years.
£23,352*
That’s 18% less than the cost of an equivalent qualification offered at most other universities in England.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£28,605
£28,605
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£23,352
£23,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,070
£19,070
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£15,568
£15,568
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,535
£9,535
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£7,784
£7,784
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£28,605
£28,605
£23,352
£23,352
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,070
£19,070
£15,568
£15,568
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,535
£9,535
£7,784
£7,784
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 25/26 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
Employers value the diverse skills of the social sciences very highly. The ability to work across different academic disciplines will provide you with a broad portfolio of transferable skills, including the ability to:
A degree in the social sciences can lead to employment across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Businesses, public sector organisations and educational institutions increasingly have to deal with social issues, and value the skills that social science graduates can provide, making this degree relevant to a wide range of professions, including local government officers, civil servants, secondary school teachers, social workers, charity officials, journalists and trade union officials. You can also use your BA (Hons) Social Sciences for further study in the higher education sector.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to social graduates, particularly in business, the voluntary sector and the public sector.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 18th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 18th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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