If you have an interest in human behaviour and understanding how society functions, a degree in Social Sciences it’s probably the right choice for you. The best Social Sciences programmes offer degrees in several domains, the most popular being Economics, Anthropology, Political Sciences, Sociology, and Psychology.
A Bachelor’s in Social Sciences offers you the opportunity of exploring a range of career paths that you can customise based on your interests. A degree in Political Sciences is going to be quite different from one in Anthropology, but what holds all these areas together is the focus on societies, cultures, and relationships between people. While this is a branch of science, there is a significant element of interpretability and creativity in all of its specialities.
Social Sciences graduates will often collaborate with specialists from other fields, or their scientific field will borrow knowledge from another social sciences domain. For example, Politics will use knowledge from Psychology, History, Anthropology, and Economy. In other words, if you enter this world, to stay on top of your game, you’ll need to stay informed about the discoveries in the other areas of Social Sciences and be able to constantly work in collaboration with other experts from this complex field. A degree in Social Sciences is not for the isolated type who prefers to count only on their own expertise.
Often, Social Sciences graduates have jobs that involve helping other people. Social workers, therapists, and political representatives are a few examples of jobs which serve the well-being of others. Spending your days improving other people’s lives is, of course, highly satisfying, no doubt about it. But, at the same time, some of these roles might be quite challenging and not so easy to “leave your work at the office when you go home.” Being passionate about your work is a must if you want to have a satisfying career as a Social Sciences graduate.
The first step, of course, is to find the right study programme for you. To help with that, we made a selection of the best Social Sciences programmes for the most popular disciplines within the field.
1. Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the human mind, human emotions and how they affect our behaviour, as well as the subtleties and complexities of human relationships.
As a graduate of Psychology, you can work as a therapist, but you can also find work in other roles. A degree in Psychology is useful in many areas of work, business and management included.
Possible jobs for Psychology graduates:
- Psychologist
- Psychotherapist
- Education consultant
- Life coach
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2021, a psychologist earns about $81,040 per year.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Economics
If you study Economics, you gain a foundation in world economic policy, and you learn about social policy, statistics, and financial markets. Afterwards, you can work in finance, be an economist, a stockbroker, a data analyst, among other things. Due to the necessity and value of this discipline nowadays, working as an Economist can give you great financial satisfaction, with a median yearly pay of $105,630 in 2021.
Possible jobs for Economic graduates
- Economist
- Data analyst
- Financial consultant
- Statistician
Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, one of the Best Social Sciences Schools in 2022, offers The Economics in English course, with a duration of 9 months and an affordable fee of 6,560 EUR in total.
All Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics
3. Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology
Sociology is the branch of Social Sciences that focuses most on understanding societies and the dynamics within a society. Communication, logical analysis, and cross-cultural understanding are all abilities learned in a Sociology Degree that may be used in a variety of industries and are well compensated in commercial areas like Public Relations and Marketing.
The most common job for a Sociology graduate is Social Services Worker or Public Relations Officer, and both come with a great deal of personal satisfaction. The financial compensation is not bad either, as a sociologist earns a yearly median salary of $92,910.
Possible jobs for Sociology graduates
- Social Worker
- HR Coordinator
- Policy Officer
- Community Health Worker
>> See our list of top-ranked Sociology universities according to Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking and Top Universities Ranking.
>> Learn about the differences between a degree in Sociology and one in Social work: Sociology vs. Social Work Studies: Which Bachelor's to Study in 2022?
4. Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science
A Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science prepares you for a wide range of employment opportunities in government, NGOs, and private enterprises by providing you with a deep understanding of political systems, diplomacy, and international relations.
One of the best Social Sciences Schools in 2022, ranked 1st in Top Universities Ranking, is Harvard University in the US, with a great reputation around the world. You can find excellent Political Sciences degrees at Harvard.
Possible jobs for Political Science graduates
- Political Scientist
- Political risk analyst
- Legislative Assistant
- Public affairs consultant
As a Political Scientist, you will be well compensated financially, with a yearly median pay of $122,510, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
>> Learn more about your options with a Political Science degree: What Can I Become If I Study a Bachelor's in Political Science in 2022?
All Bachelor’s in Political Science
5. Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology
“Anthropology is the study of what makes us human,” taking a holistic approach in understanding the different aspects of humanity. That’s why anthropology is divided into four subdomains: archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. If you start on this path, you will become a specialist in one of these four fields.
Depending on your choice, you might end up studying more history, more biology, heritage, or the formation of language. You can end up working in research, academia, government institutions and initiatives, museums, or heritage sites. Your studies can also help inform government policy and thus influence current events.
Some of the best Social Sciences programmes with a strong degree in Anthropology are at Oxford University in the UK and Leiden University in the Netherlands.
As an Anthropologist, you can have a median yearly pay of $61,910, but it will greatly depend on the particular career choice you pick.
Possible jobs for Anthropology graduates
- Curator
- Historian
- Anthropologist
- Cultural Resource Manager
All Bachelor’s in Anthropology
You should keep in mind that in this field of work, a Master’s programme and even a PhD are highly recommended in order to pursue your intended career.
