If you're looking to change the world, our BA Social Change is designed for you. With increasing awareness of global issues, there has never been a more vital time to contribute meaningfully to social change. In this course, you'll tackle issues from ethics to sustainability and gain a historical perspective on the forces that have shaped our multicultural and interconnected world.

On this flexible degree, you'll broaden your knowledge whilst acquiring the tools required to address today's pressing social problems, transform society and make a positive change in an increasingly globalised world. Through social action projects and by participating in group community projects, you'll gain practical experiences and develop the high-level transferrable skills required to make a real-world difference. Along the way, you'll build the skills needed to take on global challenges as an effective social change leader.

BA Social Change will equip you with the theoretical and practical skills required of a future change-maker. Throughout the course you'll cover key areas including but not limited to:

Community engagement

Sustainability

Human rights

Social justice

Individualism

Based within our School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies, this course enables you to explore social change across multiple disciplinary perspectives. The flexible structure of this course allows you to choose a range of optional modules across sociology, philosophy, history, politics, human rights, literature and more.

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond our University campus. We support you in this by providing the option of an additional year. The five-year version of our degree allows you to spend the fourth year studying abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the four-year course.

Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university

Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement year with an external organisation, where you learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Student Development Team.