Health and Society
This degree programme will help you understand health in biological, social, political, ethical and psychological contexts. You will learn about health research, engage in health and society research projects and campaigns, research experiences in illness and disability, and examine health-related issues like drugs in society, nutrition, body image, and trauma and abuse.
You will undertake a range of modules, including those in which you will:
- Investigate various perspectives—biological, social, political, ethical, psychological—that you can employ in examining health issues
- Learn about health research
- Actively engage in health projects or campaigns
- Develop your own ‘healthy qualities’
- Examine particular health-related issues such as ‘drugs in society’, ‘nutrition and health’ and ‘trauma and abuse in society’
As part of the course, you will have opportunities to engage in activities and project work that you find personally relevant and interesting.
With a particular emphasis on health action in the everyday world, you will participate in a voluntary community project in Year One.
In Year Two you will design and implement a small health equity campaign.
In Year Three you will conduct a health research project and write a final dissertation.
View the current course structure
For more information on every aspect of studying at DCU visit our CAO Hub, where you can listen to taster lectures, hear from our student ambassadors and find answers to frequently asked questions.
We have a unique and vibrant culture on our modern campus close to Dublin city centre. We provide state-of-the-art study facilities for all our courses and everything else you need for a healthy, fun and active student life.
Exceptional Facilities
DCU students enjoy exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our 3 academic campuses. These include modern learning theatres, research centres, television and sound studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced laboratories in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and a virtual hospital ward.
A Vibrant, Dynamic Social Environment
Student facilities include a superb sports complex with a 25 metre pool, two libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre. In 2016 we announced plans to invest over €230m in developing new, world-class facilities across our three academic campuses and a new U Building, a Student Centre that is home to the more than one hundred and twenty student clubs and societies. This commitment to student facilities means that our world-class learning experiences are complemented by a vibrant, dynamic social environment.
A degree in Health and Society is a degree in and for life. The scope of learning throughout means you are consistently challenged to apply theories to real world problems. It is relevant to both current health and social affairs as well as providing a place for deep thinking and ethical debate. Completing this course has meant I walked into a graduate career of my choice with a strength in critical problem solving.
Angel Cullinane
As a DCU Health and Society graduate, you will be well placed for a future career in a health-related profession or for work in overseas development, community development and the voluntary sector.
The degree also provides a good entry route to postgraduate study if you hope to pursue a career in an area like like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or medicine and health promotion. The BSc in Health and Society will provide a strong basis for this kind of further study. In addition, this degree is suitable for anyone who wishes to pursue roles in overseas development, community development and the voluntary sector.
Listen here to Professor Anne Matthews, Chair of the BSc in Health and Society, talk as part of the Irish Global Health Network podcast series on her experience of working in global health field.
Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
Minimum of O6 or H7 in Mathematics and minimum of O6 or H7 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level D or GCSE C Mathematics and GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level D or GCSE C in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science
For details of QQI requirements and relevant codes please click here. Simply enter the DC code for the programme you are interested in or if you are not sure of the code enter DC in the Select by Institution option, then click on Go.
Applications for entry to first-year Health and Society are welcomed from students who wish to transfer from another Level 8 course, providing they have achieved the requisite points and fulfil the requirements of the course. Please apply directly to DCU using the R10 form. Closing date for applications 1st July.
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.