Is Social Sciences for you?
Want to know if you are suited to the bachelor in Social Sciences programme? See the information and activities below to find out.
What does this programme involve?
Want a unique opportunity to discover the secrets of three disciplines: communication studies, political sciences and sociology, at two different universities? You’ll start with an insight into research methods, develop your academic writing skills and learn to process, structure and discuss key ideas in the social sciences. In year two, you’ll focus on critical thinking and learn to analyse, discuss and present academic research. In doing so, you’ll combine and explore the three disciplines and their different perspectives. Year three, so soon? Time to choose. Sociology, communication studies or political science, which will it be? Plus the opportunity to go abroad for a semester. Last but not least, your bachelor's paper is the perfect opportunity to show off all your new-found skills.
Who better to tell you what this programme is like than the students who've participated?
- Aino Amanda Anttila | Student
"The international nature made our discussions far more interesting and thought-provoking, and I believe that has made us more inclusive and understanding of one another."
- Maxime Mach | Former student
"Social Sciences provides an extremely complementary programme to indecisive students like me; it gives you the best of three worlds (Pol-soc-com)! After three years, I could see that Political Science was the best match for me."
- Noor Ostyn | Former student
"If you want to understand the social workings of society, this is the place to start. You'll get a taste of what to specialise in or acquire a broad base for something entirely different. Personally I'll be switching to Journalism, in order to put my new insights, paradigms and theories into practice."
Test your prior knowledge
No specific prior knowledge or advanced mathematics is required to begin the Bachelor of Social Sciences programme. We welcome students with upper secondary education. However, there is an optional online math test available to evaluate your math skills. This document will help you understand whether your level of math is sufficient to follow statistics courses in the programme. The required basic math skills are listed per topic and are illustrated by means of example exercises. These concepts are assumed to be known and will not be repeated in the courses.
Dutch-taught programmes
You can also opt to study in Dutch, both at VUB and Ghent University. With this choice you focus on one main discipline as of year one. Unlike our Bachelor in Social Sciences programme, which focuses on all three disciplines.
- Discover our master of Science in Politieke Wetenschappen (in Dutch)
- Discover our master of Science in Communicatiewetenschappen (in Dutch)
- Discover our master of Science in Sociologie (in Dutch)
Reasons to choose VUB
Studying at VUB gives you more than a diploma. You learn to view the world with an open mind and without prejudice. You hone your critical thinking, and you learn to express your opinion. You commit not just to study, but to participate in meaningful social projects that make the world a better place. In short, this is where you shape your identity. Who you are today and want to be tomorrow.
Spread the study load
Create your own studypath
Within the VUB, we want to maximize our commitment to personal development and give as many students as possible the opportunity to continue their studies and develop themselves. Depending on your personal situation, it may be more difficult to devote full time to your studies. For example, you combine your studies with a job, you do top-level sports, ...   
Students enrolling for the first time in their bachelor are required to take their model track. An exception can be made. More information can be found on this page. For our other programs (preparation programs, switching master programs, etc ...), this requirement does not apply. 
After your first bachelor year, you can take fewer ECTS-credits. You can spread your study load over a longer period. If you have a student visa or VUB student room, you have to take at least 54 ECTS credits each academic year! You ALSO have to take into account your growth package, study grants and funds, study progress rules, etc. Do you want some advise? Contact your study path counselor. Need more info?   
Study and examination flexibility
Reflex status
Do you have a physical disability, learning disability or chronic illness, or are you starting a business or finding it harder to study because of your personal situation? If so, you qualify for Reflex Status.
With this you can ask for a flexible approach to your studies and exams, to maximise your chances of success. You may need access to course materials, for example, or more time to sit an exam, a translator or interpreter, staggered examinations, and so on.
Elite sports and studying
Elite sports and study
Keen to combine your elite sporting career with a programme at VUB? It makes sense, as it strengthens your position in the jobs market after your sporting career ends.
Our Elite Sports & Study department helps you work out a personal study pathway and guides you through to the end.
Studying with a disability
Studying with a functional impairment
Do you have a disability (for example, a learning disability, chronic medical condition, psychiatric or sensory disability)? If so, you qualify for a flexible approach to your studies and exams through Reflex Status, to maximise your chances of success. You may need access to course materials, for example, or more time to sit an exam, a translator or interpreter, staggered examinations, and so on.
Find out more about Reflex Status
For extra support there are other student services to draw on at VUB. For example, a wheelchair-adapted room, study guidance and a personal study-pathway, mental healthcare, medical care, etc.
Study Guidance
Study Guidance
An experienced team of student psychologists, student counsellors and study-pathway supervisors are there to give you personal study advice, guidance and training. At every phase in your study career.
- Individual - Advice on your choice of programme, stress and anxiety training, help with exam planning, help for students with dyslexia...
- Group (workshops, courses) - Choosing a subject for your bachelor's or master's thesis, learning to present, dealing with stress and anxiety...
- Tools - An example of good weekly planning, tips and tricks for a good study method, a step plan to help you choose the right programme...
Combining your studies with a job
The Bachelor in Social Sciences is a daytime only programme. Therefore, there is no option to combine this study with a fulltime job.
Studying abroad
An experience abroad during your studies can enrich your personal development. For that reason, students doing a Bachelor in Social Sciences are given this option at VUB.
In year three you can head off on an international exchange experience, where you spend a semester at one of our partner universities. We partner 46 European universities through Erasmus. And how about further afield? You can always apply for an exchange adventure outside Europe. What about Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Japan...? Find out more at the beginning of your second year.
Still undecided? These three activities will help you choose.
Calendar of upcoming events for future students
Open Days
Visit our campus during our Open Days!
Campus tours, building visits, chats with the professors and information sessions with student services, such as Study Finance and Study Guidance. On-the-spot answers to all your questions!
Our next open days take place on 17 March, 28 April, and 1 September 2024.
More information
Online information sessions
Online information sessions are scheduled in February and May 2024.
Register here
SID-ins
Are you a Belgian prospective student? You can find us at the SID-in information days.