Program Overview

Social Sciences BA

Key Information

Course type: Single honours Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time Required A-level: AAB Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements Duration: Three years Application status: Open Start date: September 2025 Application deadline: 29 January 2025 Optional study abroad

Course Description

The Social Sciences BA course welcomes students from across the world to the heart of London to provide them with an internationally and practically oriented understanding of the ways in which core debates within the social sciences can shape our responses to pressing social and policy questions. The course has a particular focus on issues of inequality and social justice, informed by the close reading of social theory and policy literatures.

Key Benefits

• 1st in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
• Learn how to make a difference in the world
• Work with academics who are active contributors to world leading research in their fields and committed to high quality research-led education
• Develop inter-disciplinary literacy
• Access a range of opportunities for learning and forging new relationships outside the university thanks to our links with activist communities and key civil society organisations in London
• Enhance your studies by learning a language, studying abroad and/or taking advantage of the many other optional learning opportunities at King’s
• Study in a friendly and supportive School, located by the Thames in the heart of central London

Course Essentials

Base Campus

• Waterloo Campus

Special Features

• Optional study abroad

Regulating Bodies

• King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry Requirements

Subject Requirements

• Required subjects: None
• Preferred subjects: At least one social science subject

A-Levels

• Required grades: AAB
• Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects

Contextual A-Level Information

• BBB
• Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 35 points overall or an aggregate score of 17 from three Higher Levels
• Note: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE

Contextual International Baccalaureate Information

• 32 points overall or an aggregate score of 15 from three Higher Levels
• Notes: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE

Alternative Accepted Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma
• BTEC Nationals/CTECs
• Cambridge Pre-U
• European Baccalaureate
• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

International Applicants

Equivalent International Qualifications

• Select a country to view equivalent international qualifications

English Language Requirements

• English language band: B
• Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test

Selection Process

Contextual Consideration

• We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements
• As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application

Deferrals

• Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application
• If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme

Foundation Courses

• Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme
• Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis

Graduates

• Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent
• However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application

Personal Statement

• Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application
• It is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans

Resits

• We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications

Transfers

• Transfers into this programme are not permitted

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Supervision
• Coursework
• Self-Study
• Group Work

Assessment

• The course uses a progressive model of assessment that helps you to build up your knowledge and skills in a systematic way as you progress through the course
• A variety of modes of assessment are used to support and test academic rigour and to help you develop capabilities that are valued in work and civic life

Structure

• Courses are divided into modules
• You will normally take modules totalling 120 credits for each year of study
• You will begin your degree by building a foundational knowledge in social science theory and methods
• In your second and third years you will be able to specialise in the areas that most interest you by taking optional modules and writing a dissertation

Required Modules

• Understanding the Social World (30 credits)
• Introduction to Social Theory (30 credits)
• Power, Inequality and Social Change (30 credits)
• Social Justice and Policy Analysis (30 credits)

Optional Modules

• There are no optional modules in your first year
• Optional modules fall within two thematic areas: Sociology & Social Policy and Children, Youth & Society

Employability

• The degree provides a rigorous intellectual grounding for careers in politics, public administration, NGOs and INGOs, charities, think tanks, and social advocacy organisations
• The degree also provides a good basis for further training and postgraduate qualifications for a wide range of occupations including journalism, law, social work and teaching

Tuition Fees

Full Time Tuition Fees UK

• The UK tuition fee for the academic year is currently £9,535 per year
• This is based on the UK Government's cap

Full Time Tuition Fees International

• The International tuition fee for the academic year is £27,100 per year
• Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions

Additional Costs

• In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
  • books if you choose to buy your own copies
  • library fees and fines
  • personal photocopies
  • printing course handouts
  • society membership fees
  • stationery
  • graduation costs
  • travel costs for travel around London and between campuses

Funding

• To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.