Combined Honours in Social Sciences with Foundation

Program Overview

The Combined Honours in Social Sciences with Foundation program at Durham University is designed for underrepresented students in higher education. It provides a one-year foundation course followed by a full undergraduate degree in social sciences, equipping students with a strong foundation in multiple disciplines, critical thinking skills, and the confidence to pursue careers in various fields. The program emphasizes individual support, interdisciplinary learning, and opportunities for research and independent projects.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Combined Honours in Social Sciences with Foundation

program at Durham University is designed for students from under-represented groups in higher education. This program aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and understanding to create a personalized degree that broadens their horizons and refines their strengths across multiple disciplines within social sciences.

Objectives:

• Develop strong foundation across different social sciences disciplines.
• Master critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
• Build confidence and independence in academic learning.
• Attain the necessary qualifications to progress towards a chosen undergraduate degree in social sciences at Durham University.

Program Description:

This program offers a one-year foundation course followed by the full undergraduate degree. The foundation year focuses on building key academic skills and introducing fundamental concepts in social science. Upon successful completion of the foundation year, students progress to their chosen undergraduate degree in social sciences.

Outline:

Content:

The program covers various topics within the social sciences, including:

• Economics
• Sociology
• Criminology
• Politics
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• International Relations

Structure:

• 1-year Foundation program:
• 120 academic credits divided into modules.
• 20 hours of taught content and 10 hours of tutorial or small group seminar support for every 15 credits.
• Focus on developing epistemological maturity, metacognitive skills, and independent learning.
• Full undergraduate degree:
• Varies based on chosen social sciences major.

Course Schedule:

• Typically, lectures are delivered for 16 hours per week.
• Additional time is dedicated to individual study, assignments, and independent research.
• Emphasis is placed on developing confidence in small, interactive classes.

Individual modules:

• Concepts, Methods and Theories in Social Science
• Introduces fundamental concepts in social sciences and research methodologies.
• Scholarship in Higher Education (Extended)
• Develops academic writing, research, and presentation skills.
• Advanced Scholarship in Higher Education for Arts, Business and Social Sciences
• Further refines academic skills and prepares for undergraduate study.
• Mathematics 1

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Practical classes
• Independent study
• Small group discussions

Faculty:

• Dedicated team of academic tutors from Durham’s Centre for Academic Development (DCAD).
• Focus on developing independent learning and research skills.
• Encourages cross-discipline awareness and promotes interdisciplinary learning.

Careers:

Career Opportunities:

• Upon completion of the program, graduates can pursue careers in various fields, including:
• Public policy
• Social work
• Education
• Research
• Journalism
• International development
• Law
• Business

Further Study:

• Graduates can further their studies by pursuing postgraduate degrees in social sciences or related fields.

Other:

• The program is designed to support students from under-represented groups in higher education.
• Students are encouraged to participate in additional support resources, such as writing centers and workshops.
• Opportunities for research and independent projects are available for motivated students.

The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved. The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government. The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).