IntroductionThis unique degree has been designed and delivered by the Sheffield Q-Step centre which is one of only 15 Q-Step centres in the UK. Q-Step is a £19.5 million programme designed to promote a step-change in quantitative social science training in the UK.On the course you will learn innovative and cutting edge research methods which allow the analysis of large data sets using the latest software and techniques, including social media. You will also choose from three subject pathways that lend themselves to the analysis of numerical data, a skill that is in demand by the UK job market.Foundation YearThe foundation year of the programme provides people with non-standard entry qualifications a thorough and supportive academic preparation for successful degree level study in the Sheffield Methods Institute. The foundation year to this degree is carefully designed to build your confidence in your abilities, develop essential academic and study skills, and provide the subject specific knowledge essential for success.The foundation year is taught within the Department for Lifelong Learning, where we have nearly forty years’ experience working with adult learners, helping them to unlock their potential to succeed through offering accessible foundation courses that can lead to full and part-time degree level study. During this year, you'll be learning alongside other students who are studying for a number of different degrees, typically in small classes, supporting one another to develop and succeed.