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This programme allows you to combine the study of social anthropology with an exploration of political theories, movements and institutions, and the drivers of political change.
Overview
Anthropologists have studied the political systems of world societies since the early years of the discipline, and, today, political anthropology is central to contemporary anthropological thought.
Within the School of Anthropology and Conservation, we have a range of experts working on politics, in regions as diverse as the Middle East, Eastern and Western Europe, India and Central America. Their research is key to specialist modules such as Violence and Conflict in the Contemporary World; innovative regional modules on European Societies and Southeast Asian Societies, and across a wide range of our core and optional teaching.
A unique strength of anthropological study of politics is its comparative perspective – enabling students to grasp, in concrete ethnographic detail, how power is manifested in diverse cultural practices and institutions across the modern world.
It also reveals how our understanding of political systems urgently needs to be grounded in such ‘local’ knowledge in a globalised and increasingly connected world. For such reasons, training in anthropology - in political systems and more broadly - offers an ideal complement to undergraduate study in politics.
Independent rankings
Politics at Kent was ranked 5th in The Guardian University Guide 2017, while The Times Good University Guide 2017 ranked Anthropology at Kent 9th for teaching quality.
In the National Student Survey 2016, Anthropology at Kent was ranked 7th in the UK for overall satisfaction, with Politics at Kent ranked 8th.
The Guardian University Guide 2017 ranks Anthropology at Kent 5th and Politics 6th for graduate prospects.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
Teaching and assessment
Social Anthropology
Anthropology at Kent uses a stimulating mix of teaching methods, including lectures, small seminar groups and laboratory sessions. For project work, you will be assigned to a supervisor with whom you meet regularly. You will also have access to a wide range of learning resources, including the Templeman Library, research laboratories and computer-based learning packages.
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 count towards your final degree result.
Politics
Our main teaching methods are lectures, seminars, working groups, PC laboratory sessions and individual discussions with your personal tutor or module teachers. Assessment is through continuous feedback, written examinations, assessed essays and oral presentations.
We hold a weekly extra-curricular Open Forum organised by our School research groups, where students and staff have the opportunity to discuss and debate key issues that affect higher education and politics in the world today.
Programme aims
For programme aims and learning outcomes please see the programme specification for each subject below. Please note that outcomes will depend on your specific module selection:
- Social Anthropology (joint honours)
- Politics (joint honours)
Careers
Studying Social Anthropology and Politics 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, plan and organise projects, analyse complex data, express your opinions coherently and with sensitivity, and present your work with clarity and flair. These are all key skills that graduate employers are looking for.
Recent graduates have gone into many different areas including teaching, publishing, practical politics, local and central government, the diplomatic service, EU administration, financial services,non-governmental organisations, overseas development and aid work, media research or production (TV and radio), journalism, advertising, social work, international consultancy and work with community groups. Many have also gone on to postgraduate study.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need 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 for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 points at HL |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
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. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 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.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
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.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
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. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.