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This degree programme also includes the option of a year in professional practice at the end of Stage 2 depending on academic performance. See the 'Year in industry' section on the 'Course structure' tab for more details.
Overview
Studying the social sciences will give you specific knowledge and understanding of society, tools to analyse key issues such as class, poverty, inequality, health, crime, and urban change, as well as concrete skills, for instance, in giving presentations, analysing information, and writing reports.
Perhaps most importantly, our BSc in Social Sciences equips you to better understand the world we live in and gives you the capacity to apply your knowledge and skills in new contexts at work and in everyday life.
Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research is one of the most highly rated in the country. It is an international centre that has been consistently highly ranked in Government evaluations of university research. You are taught by leading academics in the field, lecturers who have specialist research interests that inform and illuminate their award-winning teaching.
This degree programme also includes the option of a year in professional practice at the end of Stage 2 depending on academic performance.
The Year in Professional Practice is an excellent opportunity to gain real work experience in a professional setting by putting theory into practice and developing networks and contacts in your area of interest. Employers also greatly value, and seek evidence of, relevant work experience when selecting candidates for posts. Graduates from our degrees with a year in Professional Practice will leave the School with the much sought after combination of the skills and competency gained through a university education, and the ability to demonstrate these in a practical work setting.
Our Social Sciences students pursue careers in policymaking, teaching, research and management in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, Sociology was ranked 10th in the UK for student satisfaction and 89% of Psychology students were satisfied with the overall quality of their course. Psychology was ranked 5th for graduate employment prospects in The Complete University Guide 2016.
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 in industry
The placement year is taken between Stage 2 and 3 and is an opportunity to apply your social science learning in practice. You will learn about the pragmatic contexts in which voluntary and public sector organisations operate and also develop your knowledge about employment opportunities in these areas. Not only will a placement year help you to gain work experience and contacts, it will also encourage you to look at your studies in a new light. The option of a placement year is open to students on the Social Sciences degree programme who have attained a good academic record at Stages 1 and 2, and have successfully completed an interview process.
Year abroad
The Year Abroad option available with this degree programme is an excellent opportunity to experience learning in a different cultural context and educational setting; providing the opportunity to develop your skills, confidence and networks internationally.
The Year Abroad is subject to availability and you must also meet the academic and attendance requirements, usually achieving an average mark of 60% at Stage 2, plus satisfactory attendance and coursework submission records.
See our A-Z course list for more details or contact our Go Abroad team. Subject to availability, work placements can be undertaken anywhere in the world.
Teaching and assessment
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.
If you choose to take the placement year, you will have the opportunity to spend 900 hours in a relevant professional setting, approved in advance to be suitable for your respective degree. Although you are responsible for obtaining your own placement, guidance will be offered in the form of tutorial support and access to networks of providers developed and maintained by the School. You will be visited once (where possible) during your placement, to ensure that the placement activities are suitable and achieving the programme learning outcomes. Assessment is on a pass or fail basis and the marks gained do not contribute to the final degree classification.
Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and examinations; to view details for individual modules click the 'read more' link within each module listed in the course structure.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide knowledge and understanding of key areas of social sciences
- develop students' critical, analytical and interpretative skills so they can engage with debates in the field
- provide the opportunity to develop research techniques
- enable students to specialise in areas of social science that interest them
- provide opportunities for students from different educational backgrounds
- equip students to succeed in the employment market.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the key concepts and theories used to analyse society
- the key issues and debates within the social sciences
- the methodology of the social sciences and how to critically evaluate research
- how to conduct research relating to a problem in social sciences
- the main sources of social science data and how it is collected and analysed
- understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to social science issues.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual abilities in:
- problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
- research skills including the ability to analyse problems and issues
- collecting and interpreting data
- sensitivity to the needs and values of others
- critical and evaluative skills
- assessing the implications of policy outcomes
- spotting flaws in arguments within written documents and the spoken word
- developing a logical argument
- using the internet to research issues in the social sciences.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in how to:
- identify and use concepts and theories to analyse issues within the social sciences
- find and use statistical data relevant to the social sciences
- undertake an investigation involving primary research
- distinguish between positive, normative, moral and political issues and questions.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in how to:
- communicate effectively and develop a strong line of argument in written and verbal form
- plan ahead and manage time in order to meet deadlines
- work as a member of a team
- listen to others and understand their point of view
- analyse questions and write reports and essays setting out options and alternatives
- reference material according to accepted conventions
- use internet and library resources to study independently
- make clear and effective presentations to peers and staff
- have a critical and reflective approach to study and work
- compare and contrast the strength and weaknesses in the arguments and opinions of others
Careers
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.
Social Sciences graduates go on to work in professions including teaching, research, local government, the Civil Service, management in the public, private or voluntary sectors, marketing, care and counselling, psychology and the police.
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 approaches social challenges and interventions 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 | BCC |
| GCSE | Grade C or above in Mathematics. |
| 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, Merit, Merit |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 13 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.