Program Overview

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Overview

Embark on an exciting journey to critically explore the structures, institutions, and forces shaping contemporary society with a Social Sciences BSc at Keele. Engage with key debates on power, inequality, and governance, developing critical skills to navigate complex social, political, and ethical challenges.

Why Study Social Sciences at Keele University?

• Global Top 300 for Social Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings, 2022)
• Benefit from an interdisciplinary degree, bringing together elements of criminology, politics, and sociology
• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in UK Parliamentary Studies in Year 3
• A chance to broaden your horizons and study abroad at a partner university
• Option to take a work placement year, preparing you for employment after university

Course Structure

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

• Society, People, Place: Global Issues and Local Realities
• Understanding Crime, Understanding Criminal Justice
• Making Sense of Politics
• Becoming a Social Scientist

Optional Modules

• Imagining Social Order and Deviance

Year 2

Compulsory Modules

• Social Science Research Methods and Data Analysis
• Social Science at Work

Optional Modules

• Global Democracy under Threat: Resilience or Retreat?
• Redefining Social Theory: Digital and Global Perspectives
• Challenges and Issues in Criminal Justice
• Public Policy and How to Make it
• Social Design
• Social Sciences Placement

Year 3

Compulsory Modules

• ISP/Dissertation in Social Science
• Engaged Social Science

Optional Modules

• Crime: From the Everyday to the Extremes
• Social Futures
• The Dark Side of Politics
• Beyond Human
• Parliamentary Studies
• Work Placement for Social Sciences Final Year Students

Entry Requirements

• A Level: BBC
• BTEC: DMM
• T Level: Merit
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 554 in three Higher Levels or 29 points
• Access to HE Diploma: 112 UCAS points
• Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru: The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade
• Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers: BCCCC in five Highers, or CD in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCD in three Advanced Highers
• Ireland - Leaving Certificate: H3, H4, H4, H4, H4, H4
• China - Gaokao: 70%
• India - Standard XII: Average of 65% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 70% from four subjects in any other Standard XII
• Germany - Abitur: 2.4 overall average
• France - Baccalaureate: 12 in the French Baccalaureate/International Option Baccalaureate/Baccalauréate Français International
• Hong Kong - Diploma: 443 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE
• Spain - Bachillerato: Overall average of 7 in the Título de Bachillerato
• Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato: 75%
• Cyprus - Apolytirion: 17.5 / 83%
• Portugal: Overall average of 15 in a Secondary Certificate
• Canada - Diploma: 60% / BCCCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma
• Kenya - KCSE / Diploma: We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry
• Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND: We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry
• USA - Advanced Placement: 443 from three Advanced Placement subjects
• Ghana: We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry
• Sri Lanka - Advanced Level: BBC in three Advanced Levels
• Malaysia - STPM: BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM
• Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate: We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry
• Singapore - A Levels (H2): BBC in three H2 Levels
• European Baccalaureate: 70% overall
• NCUK: Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBC and a C in EAP English Language module
• Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education: BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education
• Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE: BBC in three Advanced Level subjects

English Language Requirements

• All our courses require an English language qualification or test
• Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English
• For students who require a test, this course requires a result from Group A

Alternative and Contextual Offers

• We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background
• We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications

Fees and Funding

• UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval)
• International: Band 1, £17,700 for the 2025/26 academic year
• For details of our international fee bands visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page

Supporting You

• To help you meet your academic and personal needs, we offer a multi-layered support structure
• You will have access to an academic mentor and member of staff from the Student Experience and Support team if you need any additional support, or someone to talk to, whether about your degree programme or life outside of your studies

Your Future Career

• Our BSc in Social Sciences will equip you for a range of careers in policymaking, research, social advocacy, and related fields
• Whether you wish to pursue a career in education, policing, government, or charity, you will develop strong interpersonal skills that will support you in the workplace and beyond
• You may wish to explore employment opportunities across the health sector, business, marketing, public relations, and law

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

• From lectures, seminars, and workshops, teaching sessions on our Social Sciences programme encourage both independent and interactive learning through discussions and debates with academics and peers
• You will build key problem-solving and communication skills whilst engaging with module material and web-based learning available on the Keele Learning Environment (KLE)
• Our wide variety of assessment styles support the teaching delivered on this programme to test your knowledge and understanding gained throughout the course
• You will be assessed through essays, critical reviews, and oral presentations, allowing you to demonstrate your written and oral communication skills, as well as research and analytical skills

Foundation Year

• Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete
• This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education
• On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele

Foundation Year Overview

• The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants
• Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab
• The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September
• If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details

Course Content

• Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond
• Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course

Course Structure

• The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students
• The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods

Semester One Modules

• Foundations: Breaking the code - Understanding Academic Writing (15 credits)
• Foundations of Social Sciences - 1 (15 credits)
• Foundations of Social Sciences - 2 (15 credits)
• Foundations of Social Sciences 3 (15 credits)

Semester Two Modules

• University Research Portfolio (30 credits)
• Advancing Social Sciences (30 credits)

Entry Requirements

• The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements
• This is for general information only
• Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application
• Between 40-48 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
• Relevant work experience AND
• GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
• IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

How to Apply

• Students apply for BSc (Hons) Social Sciences with Foundation Year (UCAS code: L401) through UCAS at

January Entry Overview

• The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants
• Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab
• We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses
• Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies
• Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health, and Business courses

Information for International Students

• Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC)
• Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website

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• Student life at Keele is vibrant, diverse, and packed with opportunities to make the most of your time at university

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Enhance Your Degree

• Make yourself more employable after graduation by taking advantage of the whole host of additional opportunities

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Last Modified

• This page was last modified on 24.04.2025

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