The Bachelor in Social Sciences is the joint project of Ghent University and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. All courses take place in Brussels, at the campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The registration also takes place at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

This English-taught programme tears down the walls between political science, sociology and communication studies, allowing for a synergy between these three disciplines. Social Sciences offers knowledge on several influential factors with a vast impact on society: political organisations and power, human interaction and digital networks. Studying the three aforementioned disciplines isn’t possible without the strong methodological core this programme offers: an indispensable discipline for all scientific research, where you’ll learn domain specific methodologies and statistics, with plenty of opportunities to put theory into practice.

During the first two years of your programme, you’ll get acquainted with Political Studies, Sociology and Communication Studies. You’ll be taking a critical look at timeless issues that arise in political science and immerse yourself in the world of thought of sociologists, when you’re not pondering the research questions that are raised during the classes of ‘communication studies’. Then, in your third year, you’ll be able to choose one of those three to specialise in, along with one advanced research methods course linked to your chosen orientation.

Sociology:

In your first year you get to meet the world of thought of godfathers of sociology like Max Weber or Jurgen Habermas. The sociologist is fascinated by all sorts of social conduct, and aims to explain its causes and consequences. This critical thinking takes a central place in your second bachelor year. If you choose the sociological orientation in your third bachelor year, you dive deep into topics like health sociology, social demography and European Welfare State Politics.

The programme also provides for an optional methodological course, which you can use to improve your methodological knowledge. By the end of the bachelor’s education, you’ll write a bachelor paper.
This will be accompanied by discussion seminars: all aiming for the integration of the theoretical and methodological knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ve already acquired throughout the programme.
The internship can be a part of this paper: you might have research questions that you can answer through an internship in the international institutions and international social- and media organisations located in Brussels.

Students can combine the research of their bachelor paper with an internship in one of the many international organizations located in Brussels. This internship is not mandatory, but provides the opportunity to gain field experience in international organizations. The internship should be related to the research questions of the bachelor paper. In case of an internship, the bachelor paper will account for 6 SP, the internship for an additional 6 SP. The internship will last for maximum 8 weeks.

There is no doubt that Bachelors of Sciences in Social Sciences (BScSS) will stand out on the labour market. However, the biggest added value of the program lies in paving the way for ambitious follow-up trajectories, such as Master programs and internships. 
Your third bachelor year is designed to help you prepare for this choice. You ‘major’ in one of the three social sciences composing the program.
It allows you to build expertise in this domain, but without losing track of the other two.
That way all choices for Master programs remain open, but you’ll have more insight on what you really want to master in. 
At the same time, this last bachelor year offers you multiple contacts with professionals from organisations gravitating around the EU institutions through guest lectures, site visits and internships.
A great way to start building your network, with an eye on the future.

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