(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Social Anthropology (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Sociology
BA LL3P
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A-levels: ABB
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma:15 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
For courses with Counselling skills, please note that a satisfactory enhanced DBS check will be required prior to starting any placement(s) for this course. This will be organised by the University. A satisfactory Overseas Criminal Record Check/Local Police Certificate is also required, in addition to a DBS Check, where you have lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years for 6 months or more.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
- Applied Quantitative Methods: In order to be eligible for the AQM qualifier, you must successfully complete the following modules:
Year One:
SC101 – (30 credits) Researching Social Life I
Year Two:
SC202 - (15 credits) Analysing Social Life
SC208 – (15 credits) Crime and Inequality Across the Life Course
Final Year:
SC385 – (30 credits) Modelling Crime and Society
SC830 – (30 credits) Quantitative Research Project
Recommended modules for the pathway:
The following modules are recommended options but are not considered essential in passing the pathway:
Year Two:
GV205 (15 credits) Measuring Public Opinion (requires GV207)
GV207 (15 credits) Quantitative Political Analysis
SC213 (30 credits) Social Psychology: Self and Interaction
SC207 (30 credits) Social Data Science: Code, Text and Networks
Final Year:
Please note that the following two modules do not run every year.
SC308 (15 credits) Race, Ethnicity and Migration
SC338 (15 credits) Religion in Modern and Post Modern Societies
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Aneira Edmunds
Senior Lecturer
School of Law, Politics & SociologyDr Paul Gilbert
Senior Lecturer in International Development
University of Sussex
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
The core modules will investigate key theoretical and substantive debates in anthropology and are designed to complement other modules offered in the Sociology Department.
The Level 4 core module will introduce students to anthropological methods and methodology to complement SC111 and it will also introduce students to anthropological approaches to social difference and hierarchy.
The level 5 core module, SC276, focuses specifically on anthropological approaches and contributions to gender, sexuality and the body and the level 6 core module, SC386, deals principally with race and ethnicity.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Understand various anthropological research methods investigating social life.
Understand various anthropological research methods investigating social life.
Understand various anthropological research methods investigating social life
A2: Understand key anthropological issues especially in relation to the study of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality and other social identiites and hierarchies
A3: Develop an anthropologically informed approach to the study of society
A4: Develop a critical and reflexive approach to the study of different cultures and value systems
A5: Develop an historical understanding of anthropology's contribution to the study of social life
A6: Develop an abiity to conduct a small piece of anthropological research using appropriate methods
Learning methods
Outcomes A1 to A5 are acquired through lectures, seminars, group and individual tasks, and directed independent study.
The development of the project (SC832) in consultation with a supervisor provides the means through which learning outcome A6 will be achieved.
Lectures and seminars introduce the required theories and understandings to facilitate students' exploration of anthropology and its contribution to the study of society, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach.
Directed independent study and reading, along with individual and group tasks, enable the further exploration of the relevant areas.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library materials relating to the course.
Assessment methods
Outcomes A1-A5 are formally assessed via coursework assignments, which may take a number of forms, including essays, reading assignments, tests, debates.
They are also assessed via exams.
Outcomes A1 and A6 are assessed via SC101, SC277 and final year project (SC832) or one of our other capstone modules (SC340 or SC390).
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Capacity to appraise theoretical ideas
B2: Assimilate and synthesise advanced theories and concepts
B3: Formulate logical and coherent arguments
B4: Interpret and critically evaluate empirical evidence
B5: Plan and undertake a piece of independent anthropological research
Learning methods
Learning methods Skills B1 to B4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through directed independent study, reading, group and individual tasks given for their courses, although lectures and seminars provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Students’ independent study and preparation for tasks involves the reading, interpretation and critical evaluation of relevant frameworks, theories and understandings to facilitate students’ assimilation and synthesis of these various theories and concepts, while demonstrating and encouraging a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Lecturers provide necessary feedback on student work.
Lecturers also engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments and email communication.
Skill B5 is acquired through the work that students undertake for the project (SC832), and SC277.
The project or one of our other capstone modules (SC340 or SC390).further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills B1 to B4, as do our research methods modules (SC101 and SC277)
Assessment methods
Skills B1 to B4 are formally assessed via coursework assignments.
The project provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B4.
Skill B5 is assessed through the project.
C: Practical skills
C1: Analyse and evaluate empirical data
C2: Access and retrieve information from primary and secondary sources
C3: Written presentation skills
C4: Undertake independent research
C5: Competence in key elements of the job selection process
Learning methods
Skills C1 to C4 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their modules, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through examples.
Research skills will be taught and assessed through assignments on SC101 (including archival analysis, basic introduction to qualitative and quantitative approaches assessed via quizzes) and on SC277 (including observations and research reflections) and the project (SC832) gives students the opportunity to put this into practice independently (with supervision).
Skill C4 is acquired through the work that students do for the project, or one of our other capstone modules (SC340 or SC390).
The project further provides an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1 to C4.
Throughout the three years of the degree practical skills are developed through preparation for classes, preparing essays and other assessed assignments, giving presentations and doing written examinations
Some of these skills are further developed through the work students do for optional modules.
Students receive detailed feedback on all their coursework and presentations.
Study skills advice and training is available from the Student Support Manager in the Sociology Study Centre, which is dedicated to this purpose.
Assessment methods
Skills C1 to C3 are formally assessed via coursework assignments.
This enables the demonstration of the relevant theories and empirical evidence and facilitates the demonstration of a critical and reflexive approach to empirical evidence.
Skill C4 is assessed through the project and coursework.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas and arguments in a coherent and effective manner
D2: Ability to critically approach a text and understand the key arguments presented
D3: Problem solving and analytical skills
D4: Preparing informal presentations and communicating in a group
D5: Time management and working to deadlines
Learning methods
Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed through group tasks involving oral presentation, group discussion, and engaging in organised debates in the seminars.
Written communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through essays and reading assignments.
Reading skills (D2) are developed as through regular reading assignments.
Problem solving skills (D3) are developed principally through specific problem based exercises and project given to the students.
Planning and organisation, enterprise and resourcefulness (D4-5) are essential to any learning process dependent on independent study and to some extent individual advice from teachers.
These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses.
Assessment methods
Skills D1 to D5 are formally assessed via coursework assignments