Durham University
Combined Honours in Social Sciences BA (Hons)
Durham University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 55 graduates of Combined Honours in Social Sciences BA (Hons) at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in social sciences (non-specific).

Overall student satisfaction
86 /100
55 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in sociology, social policy and anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of social sciences (non-specific) at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £28500 £26500 £32000
25-75 percentile range £24000 - £35000 £21500 - £33500 £24000 - £43500


Salary of all UK Graduates of sociology, social policy and anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24323 £20704 £23988
25-75 percentile range £20473 - £28762 £14252 - £26502 £16798 - £31178

Course Description

If you are curious about the big issues that shape our society, this course may be for you. Taking a research-led approach, Combined Honours in Social Sciences explores systems, institutions, cultures and behaviours that shape the lives of people across the world.

A multidisciplinary qualification that sits outside of traditional boundaries, this bespoke, academically ambitious course offers exceptional flexibility.

You can choose to focus on two subjects or spread your learning across three or four to suit your individual interests, strengths and career plans. You can also apply to add a placement year or year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.

Learning from academics working at the forefront of their specialisms, our students graduate feeling confident, intellectually engaged and well prepared for employment or further study. As a graduate you will be well placed to take up a career in fields as diverse as teaching, journalism, social work, in financial services or the charity sector.

In the Social Sciences you can choose from:

Anthropology

Archaeology

Business

Economics

Education

Geography

International Relations

Politics

Sociology and Criminology

Sport

Up to half of your modules can be chosen from subjects in the Arts and Humanities (subject to timetable compatibility and entry requirements):

Classics and Ancient History

English Literature

History

Music

Philosophy

Theology and Religious Studies

Visual Arts

Languages, currently Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish

The degree culminates in a dissertation on a relevant topic which draws together the skills developed throughout the course.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Combined Honours in Social Sciences BA (Hons) at Durham University

25% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
20% Elementary occupations
10% Information Technology Professionals
10% Elementary occupations
10% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Skilled trades occupations
5% Media Professionals
5% Administrative occupations
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

Grading & Study Time

Your choice of subjects/modules will determine the assessment types you encounter, but these are likely to include essays, examinations, presentations, case studies and reflections. Assessment is designed to evaluate your knowledge and understanding, test your critical thinking and your ability to apply your learning to real-world issues. In your final year, you will complete a dissertation supported by one-on-one supervision. You will be expected to think independently and take greater control of the direction of study.

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

Access to HE Diploma

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 7, (or A) in GCSE Mathematics, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential

In a relevant subject/science (112 UCAS tariff points)

Our contextual offer for this programme is A level AAB (or equivalent). Any pre requisites must be minimum of an A. To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Combined Honours in Social Sciences, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Combined Honours in Social Sciences BA (Hons)

Ireland £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
EU £23500 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £23500 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 37 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
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Where is this programme taught

College allocation pending
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Durham City
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