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Combined Honours in Social Sciences

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 28 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Campus
More about Durham University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Course details
If you are curious about the big issues that shape our society, this course may be for you.
Taking a research-led approach, Combined Honours in Social Sciences explores systems, institutions, cultures and behaviours that shape the lives of people across the world. A multidisciplinary qualification that sits outside of traditional boundaries, this bespoke, academically ambitious course offers exceptional flexibility.
In the Social Sciences you can choose from:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Business
Economics
Education
Geography
International Relations
Politics
Sociology and Criminology
Sport

Why Durham University?
A diverse community of undergraduates, postgraduates, and academic and research staff, the Faculty of Social Sciences is a world-leading leading centre for education and research in the social sciences.
Our nine departments and schools are engaged in pioneering research and innovative learning.
We are regularly ranked within the world's top 50 for the quality and significance of our research, our students enjoy an unparalleled learning experience.
Our graduates are some of the most sought-after by employers.

Rankings
3rd in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
5th in the Guardian University Guide 2026
5th in the UK Complete University Guide 2026
Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • Anthropology
  • Arabic (Beginners)
  • Archaeology
  • Business
  • Chinese Studies
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Economics
  • Education
  • English Literature
  • French (post-A level)
  • Geography
  • German (Beginners)
  • German (post-A level only)
  • History
  • Italian (Beginners)
  • Italian (post-A level)
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Russian (Beginners)
  • Russian (post-A level)
  • Sociology
  • Spanish (Beginners)
  • Spanish (post-A level)
  • Sport
  • Theology and Religious Studies

Modules

Course Modules

Durham Education 2027

The University is committed to continuous improvement and is currently undertaking a review to enhance our courses. As we make updates, some details of courses advertised for 2027 entry may change. These enhancements are being developed in consultation with students and in response to student feedback. We will not be making changes to degree subjects, academic standards or the broad concepts that will be taught, but to how courses are organised. In some cases this may mean that the balance of compulsory and optional modules may change. Any updates will be communicated transparently and by the end of summer 2026, ensuring applicants know exactly what to expect from their chosen degree.

For current module information please visit our course page.

https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/courses/combined-honours-in-social-sciences-lmv0/

Assessment method

Your choice of subjects/modules will determine the assessment types you encounter, but these are likely to include essays, examinations, presentations, case studies and reflections. Assessment is designed to evaluate your knowledge and understanding, test your critical thinking and your ability to apply your learning to real-world issues.

In your final year, you will complete a dissertation supported by one-on-one supervision. You will be expected to think independently and take greater control of the direction of study.

In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
LMV0
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Main Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
LMV0
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Main Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

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Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*AA

Please see our website for requirements around specific subjects.

T Level

At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds.  We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses.

Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level.  Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements.

Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAAAA

We will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. If an applicant has not been able to take 3 Advanced Highers, offers may be made with a combination of Advanced Highers and Highers, or on a number of Highers.
Particular subjects may be required depending on the subjects to be studied. Please check the departmental webpages.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 15

We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham.
Particular subjects may be required depending on the subjects to be studied. Please check the departmental webpages.

Scottish Advanced Higher
AAA

Information:
Particular subjects may be required depending on the subjects to be studied. Please check the departmental webpages.

Extended Project
Not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 37

766 at higher level. Additional specific subjects requirements depending on subject choices.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D*DD

And subject specific A levels (or equivalent). Please see our website for requirements around specific subjects.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1H1H2H2H2

Particular subjects may be required depending on the subjects to be studied. Please check the departmental webpages.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Not accepted

Our contextual offer for this programme is A level AAB (or equivalent). Any pre requisites must be minimum of an A. To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/ https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/

English language requirements

Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by visiting the link below under English Language requirements. You should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. For more information on pre-sessional courses please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/pre-sessional-english-language-required/https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Whilst many of our applicants exceed our entry requirements, we don’t make offers based only on who has the highest grades. We’ll look at your background, context and personal statement as well as your academic grades when we consider your application. We also make reduced grade contextual offers to many applicants and are sometimes able to accept applicants who narrowly miss their offer conditions.

Learn more on the Durham University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU & InternationalTBC
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown for home students remain subject to parliamentary approval. They are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Durham University will charge home rate tuition up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. 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 international and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees are subject to an annual inflationary increase. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of 6% or the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.

As a student you may also get involved in optional activities which incur additional costs. To find out more visit https://www.dur.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/additional-charges/.

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 2

Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/

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