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Overview
Studying the social sciences gives 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.
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.
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.
Independent rankings
In The Times Good University Guide 2017, Criminology at Kent was ranked 2nd, Social Policy 5th and Sociology 7th.
In The Guardian University Guide 2017, Social Policy and Administration at Kent was ranked 4th and Sociology 10th. Criminology at Kent was ranked 5th for course satisfaction.
For graduate prospects, Social Policy at Kent was ranked 2nd in The Guardian University Guide 2017 and Sociology at Kent was ranked 11th in The Complete University Guide 2017. Of Sociology students who graduated from Kent in 2015, 90% were in work or further study within six months (DLHE).
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.
Year in industry
The Year in Professional Practice is taken between Stage 2 and 3 and is an opportunity to apply your social science learning in practice. You 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 does placement year help you to gain work experience and contacts, it also encourages you to look at your studies in a new light. Graduates from our degrees with a Year in Professional Practice 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.
The option of a placement year is open to those students who have attained a good academic record at Stages 1 and 2, and have successfully completed an interview process.
Alternatively, you can use our pathway options to specialise in two subject areas in Stages 2 and 3, and therefore graduate with a BSc (Hons) Social Sciences (Sociology and Psychology) or (Sociology and Criminology) or (Psychology and Criminology) or (Sociology and Social Policy).
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 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 is offered in the form of tutorial support and access to networks of providers developed and maintained by the School. You are 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 your critical, analytical and interpretative skills so you can engage with debates in the field
- provide the opportunity to develop research techniques
- enable you to specialise in areas of social science that interest you
- provide opportunities for students from different educational backgrounds
- equip you 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
Our 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.
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 | BBC |
| GCSE | Grade C or above in Mathematics. |
| 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) | Distinction, Merit, Merit |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 14 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.
Fees for Year Abroad/Industry
As a guide only, UK/EU/International students on an approved year abroad for the full 2017/18 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Please note that for 2017/18 entrants the University will increase the standard year in industry fee for home/EU/international students to £1,350.
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.