Cultural Studies at the University of Kent

rows of red seats
​ Unsplash.

Cultural Studies

Sociology at Kent was ranked 1st for research quality in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022

Undergraduate study Postgraduate study

Join our world

As a student of Cultural Studies at Kent, you analyse  phenomena such as subcultures, fashion styles and leisure practices to make sense of how we experience and organise our lives and govern our societies. You study different ways of life and explore the links between culture and society drawing on critical theories and methods from the social sciences and the humanities. You explore the complexity of contemporary media and culture. And you learn to question how information is interpreted and reacted to in our global society.

School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research 

At the University of Kent, you study Cultural Studies within the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR). SSPSSR has an international reputation for teaching and research. It is consistently ranked among the top four disciplinary centres of its kind in the UK for Sociology. SSPSSR is one of three schools within the Division for the study of Law, Society and Social Justice (LSSJ).

Cultural Studies at SSPSSR: Undergraduate programmes

Unleash your potential

"There's never been a better time in recent history to develop your cultural understanding!"

A row of trolleys full of shopping in a supermarket

Study Cultural Studies at Kent

Professor Chris Shilling explores the impact of Covid-19 through the lens of Cultural Studies.

​ Image by rawpixel.com.

Quotation

I wanted to do a course that was people oriented because in the future, I’d like to go into either advertising or human resources or PR... I wanted to develop a good understanding of why people behave in certain ways.

Teaching and research excellence

Our academics are experts in their field. They are internationally renowned for their world-class teaching, research and publications. They challenge you to develop your own opinions and ideas, and encourage you to become an independent thinker.

Our research expertise includes:

  • The information society, media and new media
  • Digital media and culture
  • The politics of emotion and affect
  • Habits and social change
  • The body in culture and society
  • Cultural and social theory
  • Feminist, queer, critical race and decolonial theories
  • The politics of memory and narrative
  • Perceptions of class, generation and community
Learn more about the academics who teach you Learn more about our research

Supportive student environment

We offer high levels of support and our staff are friendly and accessible. Our academics will inspire you. They will challenge you to become a creative thinker, with your own opinions and ideas. They are internationally recognised for their expertise in sociological theory and our wide ranging research gives you the opportunity to study diverse areas.

Your future

We're committed to helping you succeed in tomorrow's world. Visit our 'Your future' page to be inspired by the success stories of our SSPSSR alumni. You can also discover the careers support available to you as an SSPSSR student, and explore an exciting range of options for enhancing your employability.

Quotation

My degree at Kent helped me to move on to postgraduate study because it gave me self-confidence and a thorough understanding of the concepts and theories that I studied.

Reach your potential

With a degree in Cultural Studies, you'll be a critical thinker. You'll be equipped with transferable knowledge and skills, enabling you to work in a variety of professions. Our graduates have gone on to work in:

  • film and TV production
  • media, journalism, broadcasting
  • the cultural and creative industries
  • international institutions and NGOs
  • arts administration
  • advertising and design
  • tourism and heritage
  • the organisation of social and community projects.
LSSJ Employability Careers and Employability Service

Postgraduate studies at SSPSSR

Our School has a long and distinguished history and is one of the largest and most successful social science research communities in Europe. Our postgraduate programmes offer you specialist knowledge in your chosen area and an advanced level of skills. 

Your degree, your way

  • On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.
  • Broaden and deepen your interests by attending a range of intellectually stimulating staff/graduate seminars offered across the School 
  • Some programmes can be taken at Diploma or Certificate level before proceeding to Master’s level.

Engage with us on our social channels!