First MSocSci students graduate from the School of Social Sciences

Amongst the 3,062 students graduating from Bangor University last week were the first cohort to graduate with a totally unique qualification in the social sciences.

Launched in 2015, the MSocSci is an extended, four-year undergraduate degree through which students attain a Masters qualification. It is the first of its kind in Wales and indeed the UK within the field of social sciences.

This means that Rachael Armstrong, Peter Lindop, Zoe Marsh-Hughes, Ian Nelson and Sian Roberts are the only five people in the UK to hold this qualification.

“Our MSocSci degrees allow undergraduate students to gain a Masters-level qualification and to study their chosen subject in greater depth”, explained Professor Martina Feilzer, Head of the School of Social Sciences. “The programmes combine traditional study with team working and applied social research to help students nurture the transferable skills that are in demand by employers.

“By migrating from their original BA degree to an MSocSci, these five graduates have chosen to pursue a unique opportunity which has put them in a stronger position for employment opportunities, and we commend them for their dedication to improving their career prospects”.

One benefit of the MSocSci pathway is that students are eligible to extend their student finance into the fourth year of study, making a Masters qualification more accessible for many students – including Sian Elen Roberts from Menai Bridge.

“I had always intended on doing a Masters, but initially planned to take a year out and work before doing so”, said 22-year-old Sian. “Knowing I would get the same quality of teaching as postgraduate students, but also get a student loan for another year, made the decision easy to make, and the extra year of funding meant I could focus on my studies without having to worry about money.

“Studying the MSocSci has helped improve my presentation skills and made me more confident speaking in a professional environment. The small classes in the fourth year have enabled me to speak to people I may not have done otherwise, which in turn has helped me see issues from a different perspective and to better understand society and criminality.”

Sian, who is currently undertaking work experience with an international law firm and hopes to work in probation or with youth offenders, added: “neither of my parents or any of my grandparents went to university. I feel really proud that not only am I the first in my family to attend university, but I’m leaving with a Masters degree!”

Publication date: 18 July 2016