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Combining Sociology and Social Anthropology enables you to explore the origins, formation and development of modern societies, while studying how and why we do the things we do.
Overview
Sociology
Sociology provides ways of making sense of a world undergoing unprecedented social change and uncertainty. This programme provides you with an understanding of core traditions and contemporary developments in sociological thinking and research. It also features a range of specialist areas such as race and ethnic identity, sociological approaches to violence, terrorism and society, new media technologies, the sociology of health, sex and gender and the sociology of science and technology.
Social Anthropology
Anthropology addresses the big question – what makes us human?
Within the Social Anthropology element of your degree, you will study how and why we do the things we do, for example, how we work, use technologies, and negotiate conflicts, relationships and change.
The programme reflects staff research interests, which include: political struggle and resistance, post-conflict reconstruction, mental illness, environmental politics, rural social transformation, science and technology, public anthropology and advocacy.
An anthropology degree gives you a thorough understanding of the history and behaviour of our species and a different perspective on the world. Our anthropology department offers an integration between social and biological anthropology, an excellent student-to-staff ratio and state-of-the-art computing facilities.
Think Kent video series
In this lecture, Professor Julia Twigg, Professor of Social Policy and Sociology at the University of Kent, explores how clothing and dress are highly relevant to the analysis of age, and how they intersect with some central issues in relation to later life and its cultural formation, opening up the complex ways in which ageing is both a bodily and a cultural phenomenon.
Independent rankings
Sociology at Kent was ranked 7th in The Times Good University Guide 2017.
Anthropology at Kent was ranked 9th for teaching quality in The Times Good University Guide 2017.
For graduate prospects, Sociology at Kent was ranked 8th in The Times Good University Guide 2017 and 11th in The Complete University Guide 2017. Anthropology at Kent was ranked 5th for graduate prospects in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Of Sociology students who graduated from Kent in 2015, 90% of were in work or further study within six months (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey). The same survey found that Anthropology and Conservation students who graduated from Kent in 2015 were the most successful in the UK at finding work or further study opportunities.
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
Sociology
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.
Social Anthropology
Teaching is through seminars and lectures and, where appropriate, lab and field work.
Assessment varies from 100% coursework to a combination of examinations and coursework.
For assessment details for individual modules click the 'read more' link within each module listed in the course structure.
Programme aims
For programme aims and learning outcomes please see the programmes specification for each subject below. Please note that outcomes will depend on your specific module selection:
- Sociology (joint honours)
- Social Anthropology (joint honours)
Careers
Of Sociology students who graduated from Kent in 2015, 90% of were in work or further study within six months (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey).
The same survey found that Anthropology and Conservation students who graduated from Kent in the same year were the most successful in the UK at finding work or further study opportunities.
The University has excellent links with local outside agencies, such as the probation and youth justice services, the police and social services.
Our Sociology graduates have gone on to enjoy careers as diverse as working in banking and financial services, teaching and research, advertising, corporate relations, human resources, and further study at Master’s and doctoral level.
Recent Anthropology graduates have gone into areas such as overseas development and aid work, further research in social anthropology, social sciences research, media research or production (TV and radio), journalism, advertising, social work, education, international consultancy and work with community groups.
On this programme, you develop key transferable skills including: communication, organisational and research skills; the ability to analyse complex information and make it accessible to non-specialist readers, writing reports and using data analysis computer programs, and taking on positions of leadership in addition to working effectively and considerately in teams.
You also develop expertise in understanding, interpreting and responding to human behaviour.
These skills and attributes are valued in a wide range of professions.
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 |
| 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, Distinction, Merit. Health and Social Care or Public Services preferred. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 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.