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.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
Information, Culture and Heritage
Social, Caring and Advisory Services
Uniformed and Security Services
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college but you would normally have achieved:
Modern Studies helps to develop your understanding of how contemporary society is organised. You will study the role and actions of selected organisations and evaluate how effective they are in meeting their aims. You will also learn how human and legal rights and responsibilities are applied in different societies. You will develop a range of research and information handling skills.
The course comprises three areas of study.
Democracy in Scotland the United Kingdom
You will:
Social Issues in the United Kingdom
You will:
If you choose to focus on social inequality, you will examine a specific aspect of contemporary social inequality in the UK, looking at the causes and consequences of social inequality and attempts by government, organisations and individuals to tackle it
If you focus on crime and the law, you will examine the causes of crime; how crime affects individuals and society; and the role of individuals, the police, the legal system and the state in tackling crime.
International Issues
You will:
If you choose to study a world power, you will focus on contemporary socio-economic issues and study its political system.
If you choose to study a world issue, you will focus on a significant contemporary issue, its causes and consequences, and attempts at resolution.
Course Assessment
The course assessment has two components totalling 100 marks:
For the assignment component, you will be asked to research an appropriate Modern Studies topic using at least 2 different sources, which you will evaluate the effectiveness of, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. You will analyse key features and reach a conclusion supported by your gathered evidence.
The question paper will be set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across all course assessment components.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
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):