Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Humanities, Law & Social Science
Covering a broad range of subjects all designed to help you learn more about the world, social sciences and humanities have been studied for thousands years and have helped to shape society.
Learn more about the world around you
Choose an Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Humanities, Law and Social Science and progress into the second year of degree study at the University of Aberdeen with exception of the LLB programmes which offer first year entry only. Based in the International Study Centre at the heart of the University campus, this three-term programme allows you to graduate in the typical four years of a Scottish degree (some exceptions apply, see below).
- Course length: Three terms
- Start date: September, November (Enhanced Induction) or January
- Term dates: Check the term dates
- Fees: Check your programme fees
- Scholarships: Learn more about available scholarships
- Age: 17+
- Check our academic and English language entry requirements.
What will I study?
The three terms you spend with us at the International Study Centre will introduce you to the Scottish education system. You will study modules approved by the University of Aberdeen, with additional English language classes designed to help you succeed on your degree. This pathway is divided into three subject routes, each with their own designated and elective modules, as well as core modules studied by all.
Term 1
This module covers:
- introduction to sociology
- social stratification, inequality and social class
- changes in structures of inequality and social mobility
- race, ethnicity and nationality
- case studies on ethnicity
- gender and feminism
- feminist research methods
- crime, deviance and subculture
- crime and the media
- the mass media and new media
This module covers:
- the study of academic writing process – such as notetaking, planning, drafting, proofreading
- the selection of sources of academic study and the study of exam techniques
- how to reference and cite sources
- the study of research methodologies
- critical thinking and analysis
- practice of written and verbal communication skills
This module covers:
- the study of academic writing process – such as notetaking, planning, drafting, proofreading
- the selection of sources of academic study and the study of exam techniques
- how to reference and cite sources
- the study of research methodologies within law
- critical thinking and analysis
- practice of written and verbal communication skills
Term 2
This module covers:
- an introduction to historical sources, concepts and historiography
- a basic understanding of the different elements of historical analysis
- how to develop historical skills using both primary and secondary sources
- analysis of the changes in modern history which have an impact on contemporary society
- emphasis on detailing the political, economic, social and cultural reasons for the changes
- topics such as Reformation and formation of the modern church, the rise and fall of American slavery, the Scottish revolution, and post-war Britain
This module covers:
- a variety of genres of text, including the novel, drama and short stories, from a variety of periods with a variety of textual contexts
- different ways of reading and interpreting a text
- the ability to analyse, imagine, argue, compare and contrast
- the ability to use the correct terminology and express the relevant information clearly in an academic manner
This module covers the:
- justice system
- Scottish civil justice process
- Scottish criminal justice process
- The law-making process
- legal research
Term 3
This module covers:
- theories of crime and deviance
- crime control, prevention and punishment
- crime, deviance and ethnicity
- crime, deviance and gender
- criminal justice and the victims of crime
- social policy
This module covers:
- political theory, ideologies and concepts
- theories of international relations
- the state, sovereignty and the government
- democracy and power
- rights and citizenship
- globalisation of world politics and international relations
- conflict and politics
- international issues such as nationalism, human rights and terrorism
This module covers:
- learning theory
- personality
- biological psychology
- experimental psychological research methods such as laboratory and field experiments
- non-experimental methods such as interviews and observations
This module covers:
- the types of legal systems – such as civil law, common law and mixed legal systems
- law of obligations
- the civilian legal tradition
Leading university in research quality
University of Aberdeen ranked 1st in the UK for Theology and Religion Studies.
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
Progress to your degree
Once you have completed your Undergraduate Foundation Programme and achieved the necessary grades, you can transition to the second year of your chosen undergraduate degree (with the exception to the LLB programmes which offer first year entry only). The University of Aberdeen is one of the ancient universities of Scotland, where four-year undergraduate degrees are referred to as Masters of Arts, or MA degrees.
| Degree Programme Name | Award | Overall Grade | English Grade | Grade Module |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Results | ||||
Year 1 entry of a 4-year degree:
- LLB (with English Law)
- LLB International Law and Comparative Law
- LLB Law
It's amazing that you have to try different subjects because it makes you try things that maybe you've had contact with before, but you just weren't sure what the subjects would be like, or to try something completely new. I really think that's a great thing about here, that you have to try different subjects in your first year."
Jenny from Finland
MA Anthropology and Sociology
