Why study Modern Studies?
Learning Modern Studies gives you a greater understanding of the contemporary world and your place in it.
You will learn contemporary political and social issues in local, Scottish, United Kingdom and international contexts, and, in these contexts, develop an awareness of the social and political issues you will meet in your life. You will also develop investigating, evaluating and analysing skills in order to understand and explain political, social and international issues.
The skills you learn in Modern Studies are valuable in many career areas, including public administration, business management, law, teaching and journalism.
What do I need to get in?
The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course. You would normally have achieved:
What will I study?
Modern Studies helps to develop your knowledge and understanding of social, political and economic issues. You will learn about the political and social issues that affect us locally, in Scotland, the UK and internationally. You will also find out some of the ways societies deal with conflict, and learn about basic human rights and responsibilities.
The course has three compulsory units.
Modern Studies: Democracy in Scotland the United Kingdom (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- learn how to use sources of information to identify accuracy and bias
- develop a basic knowledge of aspects of democracy and the political system in Scotland and the UK
- choose to study aspects of either democracy and the political system in Scotland or democracy and the political system in the UK in more depth.
Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United Kingdom (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- learn how to use sources of information to make basic decisions
- develop a basic knowledge of aspects of social issues in the UK
- choose to study aspects of either social inequality or crime and the law in the UK.
Modern Studies: International Issues (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- learn how to use sources of information to draw basic conclusions
- develop a basic knowledge of aspects of international issues
- choose to study either socio-economic and political aspects of a significant world power or a recent world issue.
How will I be assessed?
Your work will be assessed by your teacher or tutor on an ongoing basis throughout the course. You must pass all three units to gain the course qualification.
What can I go on to next?
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Nationals in a Nutshell (National 3)