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The BA Social Policy with Quantitative Research is one of several new Quantitative Research Minor programmes set up by the University of Kent’s Q-Step Centre as a response to the shortage of analytical skills needed by employers. By studying with the Q-Step centre you can pursue your interest in social policy whilst gaining valuable quantitative research skills which are in high demand by employers across the public, private and third sectors.
Overview
On the BA Social Policy with Quantitative Research you are taught by international experts in the field of social policy. We use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case study analysis, group projects and presentations, and individual and group tutorials.
A quantitative research minor opens your mind to new ways of thinking. As part of a multi-million pound national campaign to improve quantitative skills amongst undergraduates, the Q-Step centre boasts a team of world-class quantitative researchers, and innovative technology-based teaching methods. Starting with no assumed statistical knowledge, you will graduate with an advanced package of practical quantitative skills alongside your subject specific knowledge in social policy.
Kent’s social policy programmes are based in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR), which has consistently achieved the highest ratings for its teaching and research.
Careers
You don’t need to be a maths whizz to be a successful researcher. Being able to analyse real life data is crucial in today’s workplace and we want you to be confident in dealing with information in all its forms. All you need is a logical mind and an enthusiasm for solving the big questions about people’s lives. To change the world, you first have to understand it. In the 21st century, that means being able to understand data. Today, not many people have these skills. By taking this degree, you will become one of them.
The ability to take data—to be able to understand it, to process it, to extract value from it, to visualise it, to communicate it – is a hugely important skill. The advanced quantitative skills gained through our degree programme will place you in an excellent position for future studies and many types of graduate employment including business analysis, charity fundraising, journalism, and marketing.
Please see ‘Careers’ for more information.
Placements
One of the strengths of Kent’s Quantitative Research programmes is the opportunity for students to complete a quantitative work placement as part of their degree. Workplace experience is highly valued by employers, and the placements offered through Kent see students completing meaningful, applied quantitative analysis for business and organisations across a range of sectors, giving you the opportunity to add concrete workplace achievements to your CV.
Please see ‘Course Structure’ for more information.
Q-Step initiative
This degree is part of a range of quantitative research minor programmes offered by Kent’s Q-Step Centre, one of only 15 such prestigious centres in the UK and funded by, among others, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). In addition to the BA Social Policy with Quantitative Research, the University also offers joint degrees in Criminology; Sociology; Politics and International Relations; LLB Law; and BBA Business Administration with Business Analytics where you can also specialise in quantitative research. We also offer our flagship programme BSc in Statistical Social Research.
Please see www.kent.ac.uk/qstep for more information.
Independent rankings
Social Policy and Administration at Kent was ranked 3rd in The Complete University Guide 2017 and 4th in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Social Policy at Kent was ranked 2nd for graduate prospects in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The BA Social Policy with Quantitative Research is carefully designed to take you from a basic level, with no assumed prior knowledge of quantitative methods, to a complete package of practical quantitative skills, all while gaining a thorough grounding in social policy.
In Stage 1, you complete introductory quantitative modules, which teach you the methodological and technical foundations which you will build on in later years. You will also learn to think like a quantitative researcher, developing a critical eye for statistics and data analysis, both in academic research and the world around you.
In Stage 2, you move on to more advanced quantitative techniques, building on the foundations you have learnt in Stage 1, to develop an advanced skillset in quantitative methods that is extremely rare in graduates from non-mathematical disciplines.
In Stage 3, you apply what you have learnt in either a quantitative work placement or a quantitative research dissertation. Here, you hone your skills in a practical setting, gaining vital workplace or research experience, and demonstrating to employers that you can apply your skills to real life problems.
All of this is completed alongside a complete grounding in social policy, with scope to specialise with advanced optional social policy modules in Stages 2 and 3.
The course structure below gives examples of the kinds of modules you can expect to take during the programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
*Compulsory module
Stage 1
Quantitative Research Modules:
*SO410 An Introduction to Quantitative Social Research
Social Policy Modules:
*SA300 Social Problems and Social Policy 1
*SO336 Sociology of Everyday Life
*SO337 Fundamentals of Sociology
*SO305 Introduction to Criminology OR *SO334 Modern Culture
*SA301 Health, Care and Wellbeing
Converting to a Quantitative Research Minor after Stage 1
Students studying other undergraduate programmes in social policy may convert to the BA Sociology Policy with Quantitative Research after Stage 1 (subject to completion of the compulsory first year social policy modules and consultation with the Director of Studies for Social Policy or their nominee).
To catch up on the quantitative research skills learned in the first year of a quantitative research minor, converting students must attend and pass the Quant GROUP Summer School, in the summer after Stage 1, in order to be eligible to convert.
Stage 2
Quantitative Research Modules:
*SO744 The Power and Limits of Causal Analysis
*SO746 How to Win Arguments with Numbers
CB554 Introduction to Big Data
Social Policy Modules:
*SO601 Welfare in Modern Britain
In Stage 2 you will also choose specialist modules from an approved list, please see below for examples of possible optional modules.
Stage 3
Quantitative Research Modules:
*SO748 Placement Module - The Practice of Quantitative Social Research
OR
*Advanced Quantitative Dissertation
In Stage 3 you will also take specialist modules from an approved list, please see below for examples of possible optional modules.
Optional Modules – Stages 2 and 3
SA525 Education, Training and Social Policy
SA531 The Care and Protection of Children and Families
SO509 Health, Illness and Medicine
SO538 Childhood, Society and Children's Rights
SO539 Environmental Policy and Practice
SO575 Poverty, Inequality and Social Security
SO595 Reproductive Health Policy in Britain
SO603 Health and Health Policy
SO670 Kent Student Certificate for Volunteering
SO678 Caring for Vulnerable Adults: Understanding Social Care
Year in industry
An important aspect of this degree is applying your quantitative skills to a real-life workplace via placement settings. On the condition of achieving a 2:1, you will be able to apply to take our placements module, The Practice of Social Research, which runs for one full academic year and includes a 200-hour placement within an academic learning experience. We encourage you to undertake additional placements in the summer after Stage 2 or Stage 3, and to do a placement linked to your dissertation. It may also be possible to undertake a full-time paid sandwich year placement.
Placements will be arranged by the Q-Step Placement Officer who will provide one-to-one guidance and assist with any practical matters, although you will have the opportunity to arrange your own placement (subject to agreement) if you so wish. You will also be assigned an academic supervisor who will assist you your placement assessments.
Placements provide invaluable career experience and insights into the professional world and the repeated practical and professional use of your skills means that you can move seamlessly into quantitative methods careers, in academia or beyond.
The University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in its publicity materials is fair and accurate and to provide educational services as described. However, the courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Full details of our terms and conditions can be found at: www.kent.ac.uk/termsandconditions.
Year abroad
Going abroad as part of your degree is an amazing experience and a chance to develop personally, academically and professionally. You experience a different culture, gain a new academic perspective, establish international contacts and enhance your employability.
You can apply to add a Year Abroad to your degree programme from your arrival at Kent until the autumn term of your second year. The Year Abroad takes place between Stages 2 and 3 at one of our partner universities. Places and destination are subject to availability, language and degree programme. For a full list, please see Go Abroad.
You are expected to adhere to any academic progression requirements in Stages 1 and 2 to proceed to the Year Abroad. The Year Abroad is assessed on a pass/fail basis and will not count towards your final degree classification.
Teaching and assessment
In addition to learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, project supervision, and statistics classes, this degree prides itself in its aim to let students carry out hands-on research in the ‘field’ through placements and field trips. Most modules are assessed by examination and coursework in equal measure.
Programme aims
This programme aims to:
- produce thoughtful, well-trained and flexible social scientists with an up-to-date knowledge of social welfare provision in industrial societies.
- help students to link theoretical knowledge with empirical enquiry and to identify and understand different ideological positions on welfare provision.
- give students the skills and abilities to enable them to become informed citizens, capable of participating in the policy process and equipped for a dynamic labour market
- provide students with the statistical and analytical tools to independently and successfully conduct advanced quantitative research.
- help students make persuasive arguments using quantitative research, and to critically assess the arguments made by others in the course of social life.
- help students link theoretical knowledge with empirical enquiry, so that they understand how to conduct and critique social research in the real world.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the origins and development of UK welfare institutions.
- the current sources of welfare in the UK, including health and social services, social security, housing and education.
- the operation and financing of the policy process and an understanding of the political economy of welfare.
- the welfare provided by the private and voluntary sectors, and an understanding of the mixed economy of care.
- the key concepts used in social policy, such as need, equity, inequality, poverty, exclusion, identity, difference and diversity.
- the local, regional, national and supra-national dimensions of social policy and understanding of the links between them.
- the main sources of data about social welfare and a grasp of the research methods used to collect and analyse data.
- inter-disciplinary approaches to issues in social policy and the ability to use ideas from other social sciences.
- the key concepts and theories of welfare and the ability to apply these in a comparative approach.
- the strengths and weaknesses of statistical techniques applied to the study of social issues.
- cross-disciplinary understanding of advanced quantitative reasoning and application of these methods to the analysis of complex societal problems.
- how to abstract findings from the application of quantitative research methods to examine essential features of complex societal problems and provide a framework for assessment of contemporary institutional arrangements.
- the value of comparative analysis across disciplines.
- ethical implications of social sciences’ inquiry.
Intellectual skills
You develop the following intellectual skills:
- problem solving skills and the ability to seek solutions to social problems and individual needs.
- research skills, including the ability to identify a research question and to collect and manipulate data to answer that question.
- evaluative and analytic skills, to assess the outcomes of social policy intervention on individuals and communities.
- sensitivity to the values and interests of others and to the dimensions of difference.
- quantitative: the appropriate use of analytical methods – including advanced methods – in handling, analysing and presenting statistical data across relevant disciplines. Ability to interpret both research data and official statistics.
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- identify and use theories and concepts in social policy to analyse social issues.
- handling and interpreting statistical data relevant to social issues.
- undertake an investigation of an empirical issue, either on their own or with other students.
- distinguish between technical, normative, moral and political questions.
- construct criminological arguments using quantitative empirical evidence.
Transferable skills
You gain the following transferable skills:
- study and learn independently, using library and internet sources.
- have an appetite for learning and be reflective, adaptive and collaborative in your approach.
- make short presentations to fellow students and staff.
- communicate ideas and arguments to others, both in written and spoken form.
- prepare essays and reference the material quoted according to conventions in social policy.
- use IT to word process, conduct on-line searches, communicate by email and access data sources.
- develop skills in time management by delivering academic work on time and to the required standard.
- develop interpersonal and team work skills to enable you to work collaboratively, negotiate, listen and deliver results.
- appropriately use analytical methods – including advanced methods – in handling, analysing and presenting statistical data in diverse real-world settings.
Careers
In an increasingly competitive job market, graduates with quantitative skills are in high demand by all employers from across the public, private and third sectors. Our social policy graduates have been extremely successful in finding employment in a wide range of areas including social work and health care; policy analysis in the public and voluntary sectors; human resource management and advice services; education and research; and management in the Civil Service, local authorities and other public agencies, and the voluntary sector, among others.
The University of Kent as a whole is committed to enhancing the employability of all our students, in order to enable them to compete and flourish in a competitive, fast-moving and knowledge-based economy. Kent’s Q-Step Centre's quantitative research minor programmes, take this concern further than other degrees through its inclusion of work experience during your degree as well as through modules where you apply your newly gained skills to real-life issues.
With the BA Social Policy with Quantitative Research you will gain and develop advanced quantitative research skills through modules that offer specialist training in cutting-edge techniques as well as training in how to understand, explain and critique data in diverse real-world settings.
These quantitative skills are combined with all the attributes associated with a Kent Social Sciences degree; verbal and written communication, social awareness, organisation and teamwork skills – giving graduates a clear advantage in the job market.
The ability to understand and apply various methods of analysing, concluding and presenting data is essential to any social scientist and the skills are just as crucial in business and journalism as they are in education or the police.
Placements
You will be provided with multiple opportunities to apply your new found skills in professional settings through placements and applied research modules which will equip you to work in a wide range of careers such as business analysis, charity fundraising, journalism, marketing and advising government on policy implications and will help place you in an excellent position for graduate employment.
We have links to placements across many sectors, including government (national and local), think tanks and charities, cultural organisations and the private sector and you are encouraged to gain experience in more than one sector.
Some important reasons to consider taking a placement year include:
- gaining valuable experience - research shows that over 70% of employers prefer students with work experience
- exploring career possibilities and making potentially valuable contacts
- improving your CV
- greatly increasing the possibility of being offered a graduate job with your placement company
- putting the Quantitative and employability skills you have into practice and having the chance to develop them further.
Job prospects
Across the four main Q-Step schools, there is a high percentage of students in work or further study within 6 months of graduation - with students earning typical salaries of up to £25,000 within six months of graduating:
- Social Policy - 90%
- Sociology - 95%
- Criminology Joint Honours - 94%
- Business – 87%
- Politics and International Relations – 83%
- Law – 80%
As well as the vast range of support you will receive from the Q-Step centre to enhance your employability, the University of Kent has an award-winning Careers and Employability Service (CES) which offers a range of information, advice and guidance services free-of-charge to all students. These services encompass many aspects of career development and planning and provide the opportunity for students to realise their vocational potential.
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 | BBB Offer levels and entry requirements are subject to change. For the latest information, see www.kent.ac.uk/ug |
| Access to HE Diploma | The School is committed to widening participation and has a long and successful tradition of admitting mature students. We welcome applications from students on accredited Access courses. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | Distinction, Distinction, Merit. Health and Social Care or Public Service preferred. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 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.