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Sociology provides ways of making sense of a world undergoing unprecedented social change and uncertainty. This programme provides you with an understanding of core traditions and contemporary developments in sociological thinking and research. It also features a range of specialist areas such as race and ethnic identity, sociological approaches to violence, terrorism and society, new media technologies, the sociology of health, sex and gender and the sociology of science and technology.
Overview
Social Anthropology
Anthropology addresses the big question – what makes us human?
Within the Social Anthropology element of your degree, you will study how and why we do the things we do, for example, how we work, use technologies, and negotiate conflicts, relationships and change.
The programme reflects staff research interests, which include: political struggle and resistance, post-conflict reconstruction, mental illness, environmental politics, rural social transformation, science and technology, public anthropology and advocacy.
An anthropology degree gives you a thorough understanding of the history and behaviour of our species and a different perspective on the world. Our anthropology department offers an integration between social and biological anthropology, an excellent student-to-staff ratio and state-of-the-art computing facilities.
Think Kent video series
In this lecture, Professor Julia Twigg, Professor of Social Policy and Sociology at the University of Kent, explores how clothing and dress are highly relevant to the analysis of age, and how they intersect with some central issues in relation to later life and its cultural formation, opening up the complex ways in which ageing is both a bodily and a cultural phenomenon.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, Sociology was ranked 10th and Social Anthropology was ranked 6th in the UK for student satisfaction. Anthropology was ranked 6th in the UK for student satisfaction. In The Times Good University Guide 2016, Sociology was ranked 1st for research quality and 11th for graduate prospects.
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
Teaching and assessment
Sociology
We use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case study analysis, group projects and presentations, and individual and group tutorials. Many module convenors also offer additional ‘clinic’ hours to help with the preparation of coursework and for exams.
Social Anthropology
Teaching is through seminars and lectures and, where appropriate, lab and field work. Assessment varies from 100% coursework to a combination of examinations and coursework.
For assessment details for individual modules click the 'read more' link within each module listed in the course structure.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- be compatible with widening participation in higher education by offering a wide variety of entry routes
- 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
- develop new areas of teaching in response to the needs of the community and are informed by current reseach on key social issues
- 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.
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.
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.
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
School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research graduates are adaptable and flexible in their thinking and approach tasks in a rigorous, ethical, yet creative and reflective fashion. They develop key transferable skills including: communication, organisational and research skills; the ability to analyse complex information and make it accessible to non-specialist readers, write reports and use data analysis computer programs, and can take on positions of leadership in addition to working effectively and considerately in teams. These skills and attributes are valued in a wide range of professions.
The School has excellent links with local outside agencies, such as the probation and youth justice services, the police and social services. Our sociology graduates are highly sought after and have gone on to enjoy careers as diverse as working in banking and financial services, teaching and research, advertising, corporate relations, human resources, in addition to further study at Master’s and doctoral level.
Social Anthropology
Anthropology graduates develop expertise in understanding, interpreting and responding to human behaviour and enter a wide range of fields. We ensure that our conservation students gain practical and theoretical knowledge so that they are well-placed to take advantage of this expanding area for employment. Through your studies, you learn how to analyse complex data and work independently, skills valued by employers.
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.
If you choose to take the Year Abroad option you will further increase your portfolio of skills by gaining experience of living and studying in a different culture. You will learn to appreciate and assess different sociological and anthropological approaches to social challenges giving you a uniquely global perspective.
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 | BBB |
| 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) | Distinction, Distinction, Merit. Health and Social Care or Public Services preferred. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 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
The 2016/17 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.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
UK/EU/International students on an approved Year Abroad for the full 2016/17 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Those on an approved Year in Industry pay an annual fee of £865 to Kent for that year. 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 assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
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 the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.