Social Sciences

Key facts
Location: Medway
Award: BSc (Hons)
Type: Full-time and part-time
Further information
Download: Subject leaflet
Online: Department
Profile: Student profile

Social Sciences offers an interdisciplinary approach to investigating society and people, by providing an opportunity to study different subjects (social policy, psychology, history, politics and sociology). Contemporary issues (such as health care, forensic psychology, social justice, cultural identity and political resistance) are never simple to understand, but the degree programme provides a multi-perspective analysis of such issues. In addition, new and returning students value the ability to select topics and modules to match their interests and needs in a flexible and coherent manner. You can choose from an expanding list of new modules taught by a dedicated research-active staff.

Graduates’ job opportunities include teaching, research, local government, Civil Service, management in the public, private or voluntary sectors, marketing, care and counselling, psychology and the police.

Degree programmes

Single honours
Did you know?

Social Policy at Kent was ranked 9th in the UK for student satisfaction in the 2009 National Student Survey.

  • Social Sciences (L340:K)

Core modules

Stage 1

You take a 30-credit core module, and then choose 90 credits from a list of options.

Core module
  • Methods of Social Research
Options
  • Introduction to Contemporary Britain
  • Introduction to Criminology
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Social Problems and Social Policy
Stage 2

You take two 15-credit research modules, and then further modules from the options listed below to make a total of 120 credits.

Core module

  • Psychology Research Methods and Data Analysis
  • Theory and Method in Historical Research
  • Sociology Research Methods
Options
Sociology and Social Policy
  • Care and Protection of Families
  • Doing Visual Sociology
  • Drugs and Crime
  • Drugs and Culture
  • Gender, Work and Employment in the 21st Century
  • Health Policy in Britain
  • Key Welfare Issues
  • The Politics of Criminal Justice
  • Politics and Society
  • Principles and Practice of Social Policy
  • Social Ethics
  • Social Justice Practice
  • Youth, Crime and Social Justice
Social History and Politics
  • Britain on Film: 1930-1990
  • British Government and Politics
  • Crime, Punishment and Penal Policy in England and Wales
  • History of the Police and Policing
  • Politics and Society
  • Women and Work in Britain 1850-1975
  • Women, Politics and Society in Britain from 1750
  • Youth, Crime and Criminal Justice
Psychology
  • Applied Cognitive Psychology
  • Applied Social Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Human Cognition
  • Individual Differences
  • Psychology of Emotion and Motivation
  • Psychology of Group Behaviour
  • Psychology of Social Behaviour
  • Psychology of Social Cognition
  • Psychopathology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Social Psychology of Health
Stage 3

You take one compulsory 30-credit module, and take your remaining credits from the options listed under Stage 2.

Core module
  • Dissertation

Teaching and assessment

We use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case-study analysis, group projects and presentations, and individual and group tutorials. Study groups are normally no more than 15 to 20 students at any one time, and give you the opportunity to discuss a topic in detail.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and examinations, except for the methods modules and the dissertation, which are assessed entirely by coursework.

Entry requirements

Not sure? How about...
Offer levels

A level 240 points (3.5 A level equivalents) inc either CC at A level or CC in 12-unit VCE A level, IB Diploma 33 points or IB Diploma with 13 points at Higher.

BTEC National Diploma/Certificate with Merit, Merit, Merit.

Successful completion of an Access course.

University of Kent Certificate in Social Science.

Mature students may be accepted on the basis of motivation and experience. The School is committed to widening participation and has a long and successful tradition of admitting mature students.

Required subjects
  • None

Careers

Our graduates mostly go into caring and counselling professions, local government and the Civil Service, voluntary organisations, management and marketing, politics, teaching, lecturing and research..