Social science courses are academic disciplines that focus on the study of human behavior and relationships while also evaluating the effect these human behaviors and relationships have on the environment and society.
Social science courses are one of the most notable courses offered across Nigerian universities, second only to science courses. These courses focus on human behavior, society governance, and economic systems. Students who study social science courses are known to have skills like communication skills and problem-solving skills.
In most Nigerian universities, social science courses are quite competitive because they offer job opportunities in more than one field. Choosing the right social science can open doors to many opportunities and better-paying jobs.
In this article, we will in detail list the best social science courses that can be studied in Nigerian universities and even across the globe. These courses have proven over years, based on data, that they have an edge against other social science courses.
Top 7 Best Science courses in Nigeria
Top 7 Best Courses For Art Student
Best Courses to Study in the World For Nigerian Student
Best Social Science Courses in University
1.Economics
Undoubtedly the most recognized social science course across the globe because of its relevance to the country since human trade and civilization began.
Though economics is a course that deals mostly with the economics of a country, community, or a particular organization, it found its way into social science, unlike accounting, which is management science, and it is mostly because of the relationships that occur when people are transacting, and that is the core aspect of economics.
Economics is defined as a social subject that studies human behavior as a relationship between ends and scarce means that have alternative uses.
Economics is one of the most diverse courses across the social science field; different economics, like pure economics, applied economics, macroeconomics, microeconomics, petroleum economics, and a lot more, exist within economics.
There are diverse job opportunities available for economics graduates, and some of them include working as a financial adviser,
professor in economics, financial analyst, investment analyst, data analyst, and a lot more.
2.Political Science
Political science is one of the courses in the social science field that has the same relevance up to economics, mainly because of the roles politics have played since the beginning of the 21st century.
Political science is the social scientific study of politics; it deals with the system of governance and power and also analyzes political behavior and laws.
Job opportunities available for political science graduates include public administrator, public analyst, political analyst, legislative aide, and a lot more.
3.Sociology
Sociology is a social science course that deals with the scientific study of human society that focuses on society, human social behavior, and the consequences that arise as a result of human interaction, thereby shaping culture across age.
Sociology is one of the core courses in the social science course curriculum because it embodies social science itself more than the other social science courses taught in universities, and that is why more priority is often given to sociology as among the best social science courses.
Sociology graduates are open to job opportunities that include working as social researchers, community development officers, NGO project officers, human resources officers, and more that relate to finding solutions to problems that occur as a result of human interaction.
4.Psychology
Psychology and physiology should not be confused with each other. Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behavior; it explores how humans think, feel, and act, while physiology is the branch of biology that studies how the body’s organs and systems work.
There has been quite some confusion as to why psychology is a social science course, while actually it embodies science features, but the reason why this is so clear is that since psychology studies the human mind and behavior, it can be classified as a social science course.
There are quite numerous job opportunities available for psychology graduates, and these include human resources manager, industrial physiologist, guidance counselor, behavioral analysts, mental health support workers, and more.
5.International Relations
International Relations on large scale across Nigerian Universities are mostly classified as art courses and it is usually sometime paired with history but in reality International Relations is a social Science course since it embody the full component of social science and not art.
International relations courses study the relations of one state to another and with international organizations and certain subnational entities and embody other academic disciplines related to politics, and some of them include political science, law, economics, sociology, and others.
International relations is packed with a lot of job opportunities, both at the national and international levels, and the job opportunities include serving as a diplomat, foreign service officer, international NGO officer, policy analyst, immigration officer, international trade officer, and a lot more.
7 Top Universities to Study Cybersecurity in Nigeria
6.Criminology and Security Studies
One of the security courses that found its way into the social science field is criminology and security studies, embodying the feature of the social science component, and that is why it is classified under the social security faculty across most universities in Nigeria and across the globe.
The criminology and security studies program as a social science course is aimed at exposing students to the causes, expression, and consequences of criminal behavior and security. Criminology and security studies provide detailed descriptions as well as rationales of criminal behavior, and that is why it is called a social science course since it explains human behavior.
Graduates of criminology and security studies are open to job opportunities that include civil service administrator, jury consultant, detective, crime scene investigator, and forensic psychologist.
7.Geography and Environmental Studies
Many people and scholars wonder why geography and environmental studies have found themselves as part of social science courses, but the explanation lies in the definition of the course.
Geography and Environmental Studies is a field of social science that examines earth landscapes, people, and the environment while focusing on human-environment interaction.
Geography and environmental studies embody the aspect of relationship, and that is why it has been classified as a social science course while maintaining its science attribute.
Geography and Environmental Studies graduates are open to job opportunities that include environmental officer, urban and regional planner, GIS analyst, climate change analyst, and a lot more.
Best Universities Offering Social Science Courses in Nigeria
Each university has its own strength in a specific social science course, but among these universities in Nigeria, there are others that have demonstrated exceptional strengths in offering social science courses, and some of them will be listed here and categorized as federal, state, and private universities.
Top Federal Universities That Offer Social Science Courses in Nigeria
1.University of Ibadan
2.University of Lagos (UNILAG
3. Ahmadu Bello University (ABUZARIA)
4.University of Nigeria, Nsukka
5. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
Top State Universities to Study Social Science Courses in Nigeria
1.Lagos State University (LASU)
2.Osun State University (UNIOSUN)
3.Prince Audu Abubakar University
4.Adekunle Ajasin University
5.Ekiti State University
Top Private Universities to Study Social Science Courses in Nigeria
1.Covenant University Ota
2. Lead City University
3.Babcock University
4.Afe Babalola University
Admission requirements for social science
Admission requirements vary for different courses in the social science field in Nigeria, but we can provide an insight into the six O-level subjects you must have credit in to gain admission for any social science courses.
O-level subject Requirements include mathematics, English language, Government, economics, biology, and commerce.
For the UTME combination, the best combination is English Language, Mathematics, Government and Economics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) about Social Science Courses(FAQs)
● Which social science course is the best?
Economics is the best social science course across the globe, and it is because of its relevance and reputation.
● Are social science courses marketable in Nigeria?
Yes, not actually all social science courses, but some social courses are marketable in Nigeria.
● Which social science course has the highest salary?
Economics and Criminology and Security Studies
Conclusion
Social science courses are one of the beautiful courses any student can study because of their flexibility and the exposure they will give such students, especially regarding certain social science courses like economics, which will give you insight into how the economy has been operated.
We give out the best social science course based on data and global relevance, but the choice still lies with individual students. Follow your passion and goal, and also consider your strength. If you are not quite strong in mathematics calculation, it is best advised you don’t study economics, as this can leave you frustrated in your third year.
Adepoju Olamilekan is a Graduate of Economics from Adekunle Ajasin University,he has been in the blogging space for 4 years and his major aim is helping Nigerian students understand the Education system at all level