Students preparing for their graduation ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral

Sociology and Social Anthropology with a Year in Finland - BA (Hons)

UCAS code LL63

This is an archived page and for reference purposes only

2014

Sociology at Kent provides ways of making sense of a world undergoing unprecedented social change and uncertainty. It aims to explain the origins, formation and development of modern societies. Sociological research is devoted to understanding the conditions that govern our experience of everyday life as well as the structures that determine the overall character of a society.

Overview

Social Anthropology is the holistic study of people's ideas, beliefs, practices and activities in a wide range of local, global, diasporic and transnational settings. Social anthropologists study how and why we do the things we do, for example, how we work, use technologies, and negotiate conflicts, relationships and change.

Independent rankings

According to The Guardian University Guide 2013 89% of Sociology students at Kent were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.

Anthropology at Kent was ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction in the 2012 National Student Survey.

Course structure

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Year abroad

On this four-year programme, you spend your third year studying at our partner university in Finland.

For more general information about studying or working abroad as part of your course, please see the Go abroad webpages.

Teaching and assessment

Sociology

Most modules are taught through lectures and seminars. We also run a tutorial scheme in which students are supervised on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. Most modules also involve individual study using library resources and, where relevant, computer assisted learning packages. If you are taking modules involving computing or learning a language, you have additional workshop time.

Most Sociology modules are assessed by a variety of methods, including examination and coursework, each of which counts for 50% of the final mark. The dissertation, usually done at Stage 3, is assessed without examination. Marks from Stages 2 and 3 and for your year abroad all count towards your final degree result. Stage 1 results do not count towards the final mark, but entry to Stage 2 depends on passing Stage 1.

Social Anthropology

Modules are taught by a combination of lectures and seminars and also  involve individual study using library resources and, where relevant, laboratories and computer-based learning packages. If you are taking modules involving computing or learning a language, you have additional workshop time.

Assessment ranges from 80:20 exam/coursework to 100% coursework. At Stages 2 and 3, most core modules are split 50% end-of-year examination and 50% coursework. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks and, where appropriate, the marks for your year abroad count towards your final degree result.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

  • produce graduates with analytical and knowledge based skills relevant to employment in the professions, public service and private sector
  • provide a broad knowledge of the key concepts, debates and theoretical approaches that inform the discipline of sociology
  • promote an understanding of contemporary social issues and the impact of diversity and inequality on local and national communities
  • provide an understanding of the social processes that influence the relationship between individuals, groups and institutions
  • develop problem-solving skills and an understanding of the nature and appropriate use of research methods used in sociological research
  • teach students key writing, research and communications skills
  • give students the opportunity of studying in a foreign country with the aim of broadening their perspectives and encouraging them more critically to reflect upon their societies of origin
  • develop intercultural awareness and understanding.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

  • a range of key sociological concepts and empirically based arguments and data
  • the social processes that shape contemporary society and the relationships between individuals, group and social institutions
  • patterns of social diversity and inequality and their origins and consequences
  • the nature and appropriate use of diverse social research strategies and methods
  • how sociological knowledge can be used to evaluate social and public policy
  • the similarities and differences between the British and Finnish versions of modern society.

Intellectual skills

You develop the following intellectual abilities:

  • the application of knowledge in analysing complex social issues
  • research skills, including the ability to identify a research question and to collect, manipulate and interpret data
  • an understanding and appreciation of different theoretical positions and schools of thought within sociology
  • the ability to formulate and sustain a complex argument which is supported with appropriate evidence
  • appreciation of a variety of normative and cultural positions.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following:

  • the ability to communicate information and argument
  • the ability to plan research
  • the ability to use and apply sociological theories and concepts in an argument
  • the ability to express and evaluate the value and ethical dimensions of sociological practice
  • the ability to reformulate social issues from the standpoint of sociological analysis
  • a reasonable proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking in the target language 
  • the ability to describe and analyse the main features of the language studied.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

  • problem-solving in a variety of situations
  • the ability to effectively communicate theoretical and empirical material and arguments through written and oral modes, including use of illustrative and supportive material such as overheads and computer-aided presentations
  • learning and study, information retrieval, communication and information technology, group work, and time planning and management.

Careers

Sociology

Through your study you gain many of the transferable skills essential for success in the graduate employment market. These include planning and organisation, research skills the ability to work independently and in groups, to lead and to support others, and to analyse complex information and make it accessible to non-specialist readers.

Our graduates go into a variety of areas such as marketing, recruitment consultancy, the Prison Service, teaching, banking and financial services, and further study.

Social Anthropology

Studying social anthropology gives you an exciting range of career opportunities. We work with you to help direct your module choices to the career paths you are considering. Through your studies you learn how to work independently, to analyse complex data and to present your work with clarity and flair.

Our recent graduates have gone into areas such as overseas development and aid work, further research in social anthropology, social sciences research, media research or production (TV and radio), journalism, advertising, social work, education, international consultancy and work with community groups.

For more information on the services Kent provides you to improve your career prospects visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability.

Entry requirements

Home/EU students

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification Typical offer/minimum requirement
A level

ABB excluding General Studies/Critical Thinking

Access to HE Diploma

The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma)

The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

International Baccalaureate

34 points overall or 16 points at HL

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.

Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.

English Language Requirements

Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
 
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

General entry requirements

Please also see our general entry requirements.

Fees

As a guide only, the 2014/15 annual tuition fees for this programme are:

UK/EU Overseas
Full-time
Part-time

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

Exceptions may apply. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk

UK/EU/International students on an approved Year Abroad or Year in Industry for the full 2014/15 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.

Funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to support eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2014 financial support package includes a £6,500 cash bursary. Find out more about the support package, eligibility and terms and conditions on our fees and funding pages.

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created a new scholarship, The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages.

Full-time

Part-time

The Key Information Set (KIS) data is compiled by UNISTATS and draws from a variety of sources which includes the National Student Survey and the Higher Education Statistical Agency. The data for assessment and contact hours is compiled from the most populous modules (to the total of 120 credits for an academic session) for this particular degree programme. Depending on module selection, there may be some variation between the KIS data and an individual's experience. For further information on how the KIS data is compiled please see the UNISTATS website.

If you have any queries about a particular programme, please contact information@kent.ac.uk.