Program Overview

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Combined Honours in Social Sciences

Overview

The Combined Honours in Social Sciences program allows students to design their own bespoke qualification by combining subjects beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. With over 20 subject areas to choose from, students can build a degree that broadens their interests and develops their strengths across multiple areas.

Start Dates

• September 2026
• September 2025

Degree Type

• BA

Course Length

• 3 or 4 years full-time

Location

• Durham City

UCAS Code

• LMV0

Typical Offers

• A Level: A*AA
• BTEC: D*DD
• International Baccalaureate: 38

Course Details

The Combined Honours in Social Sciences program explores systems, institutions, cultures, and behaviors that shape the lives of people across the world. Students can choose to focus on two subjects or spread their learning across three or four to suit their individual interests, strengths, and career plans.

Subjects

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Economics
• Education
• Geography
• Management
• Politics and International Relations
• Sociology and Criminology
• Sport

Arts and Humanities Subjects

• Classics and Ancient History
• English Literature
• History
• Music
• Philosophy
• Theology and Religious Studies
• Visual Arts
• Languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish)

Course Structure

Year 1 Modules

• Core modules: Dissertation Prerequisites
• Optional modules: Decolonising Knowledge and Power

Year 2 Modules

• Core modules: Dissertation Prerequisites

Additional Pathways

Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway. Places on these pathways are in high demand, and if chosen, studies will extend from three years to four or four to five, depending on the course.

Learning

Methods of learning will vary according to subject choice but are likely to include a blend of lectures and small-group seminars alongside tutorials, workshops, fieldwork, and practical classes.

Assessment

Assessment types will depend on subject choices but are likely to include essays, examinations, presentations, case studies, and reflections.

Entry Requirements

• A Level: A*AA (specified subjects according to subject choices)
• BTEC: D*DD (and subject-specific A levels)
• International Baccalaureate: 38 (with 666 in higher-level subjects)
• GCSE: grade 5 in English Language (for Sport) or grade 7 in Mathematics (for Business)

Fees and Funding

The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet. Tuition fees for home students are set according to the academic year of entry, and fees for overseas and EU students are subject to an annual inflationary increase.

Career Opportunities

Employers appreciate the wide range of skills and competencies that come from the Combined Social Sciences degree. Graduates work in a wide range of employment settings, including banking, financial services, the Civil Service, education, charitable and non-profit organizations, and government.

Department Information

The Combined Honours in Social Sciences program is run by a Director and Deputy Director, working closely with nominated colleagues in the departments that contribute modules to the degree. The program fosters an interdisciplinary approach to content and has a dynamic student society that runs events throughout the year.

Rankings

• Top 100 for Sociology in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025
• 2nd for Sociology in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
• 4th for Criminology in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Facilities

Students will have access to a wide range of facilities, such as laboratories or specialist software, across all the departments from which they take modules.