ENVIRONMENTALSOCIAL SCIENCESCanterbury

The UK’s European university

Undergraduatestudy

2 Environmental Social Sciences

ENVIRONMENTALSOCIAL SCIENCESAT KENT If you want to contribute to a more sustainable future,study at Kent. You develop an understanding of whathas led to the environmental and social crises of the21st century. You gain the practical skills neededto bring about change, helping to secure a moresustainable future for humankind.

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FlexibleprogrammesYou have choice and theopportunity to indulge yourinterests and passions. Youchoose from a large suite ofoptional modules and canpick others from across theUniversity that give you newperspectives and insights intoenvironmental sustainability.

ResearchcommunityYou learn from leading expertsin their field. As a School weengage with local, nationaland international partners toproduce high-quality researchthat has a positive impact in thewider community.

Career successOur emphasis is not onacademic learning alone, butalso on professional training.Over the past 25 years, ourstudents have gone on to holdkey roles in some of the world’smost innovative and successfulsustainability initiatives.

Academic supportUniversity is different to school.You need to be self-motivatedand well organised to succeed.We help by assigning you anacademic tutor and organisingpeer mentoring. You can alsoget help with academic skills,such as essay writing, from theUniversity’s dedicated service.

Ideal locationOur Canterbury campus isclose to the historical citywith its cultural life and world-famous cathedral. Kent isculturally and economicallydiverse and our proximity toEurope enables us to maximiseour strong research andbusiness links.

ProfessionalpracticeYou can choose to spendup to a year undertakingwork placements with relevantorganisations at home orabroad. You develop essentialemployability skills and addexperience to your CV, givingyou a head start in your career.

ExcellentresourcesWe are well equipped withteaching spaces, laboratoriesand field trials areas. TheTempleman Library has morethan 1 million books, ebooks,databases and journals. Thereare thousands of study spacesand networked PCs acrosscampus.

InspirationalteachingGreat teachers inspireenthusiasm and provokedebate. Whether they’relecturing on the humanimpact on the environmentor sparking debate aroundthe Anthropocene, our staffare skilled at bringing theirsubject to life.

Field tripsOur field courses, in the UKand abroad, allow you to applywhat you’ve learned to real-world situations, develop fieldskills, practice your researchskills, and build friendshipswith staff and other students.

WHY STUDY ENVIRONMENTALSOCIAL SCIENCES AT KENT?

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One-world thinkingWe are at the centre of contemporary global debates and have areputation for innovation and excellence in teaching and research.We believe that to make a significant impact on the sociologicaland environmental challenges facing our world, an interdisciplinaryapproach is required. In addition to expertise in geography,conservation, and anthropology, our programme draws on expertise inpolitics, economics, philosophy, law, history, literature and creative arts.This helps you to develop multidimensional and holistic one-worldthinking.

The Times Good UniversityGuide 2019• 5th in the UK for the related

subject of Conservation(which is in the category ofAgriculture and Forestry)

Destinations of Leavers fromHigher Education • Over 95% of Kent graduates

who responded to the mostrecent national survey ofgraduate destinations were inwork or further study withinsix months. (DLHE 2017)

Research ExcellenceFramework• In the most recent research

rankings, 97% of research atKent was found to be ofinternational quality

Teaching ExcellenceFramework• Kent was awarded gold, the

highest rating, in the UKgovernment’s TeachingExcellence Framework*

Independent rankings

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*The University of Kent’s Statement of Findings can be found atwww.kent.ac.uk/tef-statement

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What do you do outside ofyour studies?I’ve joined societies like swingdance, yoga and the ConservationSociety. Also in my free time I’mreally into environmental activism.I’m really passionate about it, andthere’s so much you can do, suchas starting projects and going tostrikes and protests.

What advice would you give anew student about settling in touniversity life?Choose to study something you’repassionate about, not becauseyou want to earn a lot of moneyafterwards. As long as you like it,you’ll enjoy studying.

And don’t be afraid. Everyone isnew to university life. I joined somegroup chats when I arrived andpeople would meet up and have afew drinks. There are people I meton the first night that I’m still friendswith now. Speak to people on yourcourse, join societies and you’llmeet people.

Eske Eilts is in the firstyear of her EnvironmentalSocial Sciences degree.

Why did you choose to studythis subject at degree level?I’ve always been into nature andthere are a lot of threats to natureand the environment at the momentin the world. This is a global, urgentissue and it’s really necessary tohave people in this area. I couldhave just studied environmentalsciences but I’m also reallyinterested in the social interactionswith the environment, and differentcultures.

What appealed to you about theprogramme at Kent? I’m from Germany so originally Iwas looking for a course there butI couldn’t find anything like thisthere. There were a couple ofsimilar courses elsewhere in the UKbut not exactly like Kent. I came toan open day and had a chance tochat to the professors. It was greatto talk to them and after that it wasclear I should come to Kent.

What have been the highlightsof the programme so far?I really enjoyed the ContestedEnvironments module in the firstterm because it was really broad.

It looked at things like mediacoverage of the environment,how it was in the past comparedto now, and issues like climatechange consciousness andbehaviour change.

We’ve also had field trips, forexample to farms around Kent andto Folkestone, a coastal town, to seewhat’s happening there about eco-tourism. We’re not just sitting herereading; we’re also getting out thereand getting people’s real opinionsand a practical viewpoint.

I enjoy how broadly based theprogramme is because it’sinterdisciplinary and it focuses onglobal problems, not just what’s inyour own backyard. Everyone whowants to save the world should takethis course.

Will you do a year ofprofessional practice afteryour second year?Yes, it’s a great opportunity andpart of the reason I chose Kent. I’dlike to go abroad, maybe to SouthAmerica and work in the rainforestor something like that. Theprogramme’s really flexible andyou don’t have to decide untilnearer the time.

STUDENT VIEW

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YOUR STUDY PROGRAMME

You can studyEnvironmental SocialSciences with or withouta year in professionalpractice.

You study the same compulsorymodules, and have the samechoice of optional modules, oneach programme. The programmecontent emphasises understandingof the causes and consequences of environmental change from theperspective of social processes.

This includes consideration ofconsumer and economic behaviour,understanding processes of landmanagement and technologicalinnovation.

You explore the role of the stateand political action in influencingenvironmental sustainability, andthe management and planning ofcritical and scarce resources.

These programmes will be ofparticular interest if you havestudied geography, environmentalstudies or social sciences.

Teaching and assessmentIn addition to lectures, you havefield trips and laboratory-basedpracticals. We make extensive useof small-group teaching formats,such as tutorials, seminars andproblem-solving sessions.

Assessment is by a combinationof coursework and examinations.You are required to pass Stage 1

in order to progress to Stage 2.Stage 1 marks, however, do notcontribute towards your final degreeresult. Both Stage 2 and 3 markscount towards your final degreeresult.

Programme optionsEnvironmental Social SciencesBA (Hons)www.kent.ac.uk/ug/63

Environmental Social Scienceswith a Year in ProfessionalPractice BA (Hons)www.kent.ac.uk/ug/391

Programme featuresBoth programmes:• combine social sciences and

humanities• facilitate an interdisciplinary

approach to learning, giving youaccess to elective modules fromacross the University

• include theoretical learning,supported by practicalknowledge and field skills

• are taught by experts at thecutting edge of research onenvironmental sustainability

• enable you to develop yourpotential to find a job buildinga sustainable future forcommunities and businessesglobally.

Field tripsThere are opportunities to conductresearch and deepen your studiesabroad.

We have a long-standing researchproject based on a riverboat in thePeruvian Amazon and a two-weekfield expedition overseas to explorethe relationship betweenenvironmental change andcontemporary society.

There are also local excursions, anda first-year module on environmentalsustainability that includes visitsto sites such as an off-shorerenewable energy facility in theThames Estuary.

Trips are subject to availability andmay require financial contributionsfrom attendees.

Year in professional practiceIf you take Environmental SocialSciences with a Year in ProfessionalPractice, you spend a minimum of24 weeks between Stages 2 and 3gaining experience of work in aprofessional environment relevantto your degree, whether at home orabroad.

The University supports you asyou look for your placement. Thisincludes preparing your CV andinterview training. For moreinformation, please see p11.

Programme structureYour studies are divided into threestages. At Stage 1, your modulesgive you an introduction tobiological, social and environmentalsciences. At Stages 2 and 3 (yoursecond and final year) you developspecialised knowledge and skills.

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Programme contentPlease note: the module lists shownhere are not fixed as new modulesare always in development andchoices are updated yearly. Thedetails below are correct at the timeof publication (June 2019). Pleasesee www.kent.ac.uk/ug for the mostup-to-date information.

In addition to the modules listed,you may also be able to chooseelective modules from otherprogrammes. To read a fulldescription of any of themodules listed, go towww.kent.ac.uk/courses/modulesand search using the module code.

Stage 1You take the following compulsorymodules:

• Academic Skills (ANTS3080)• Contested Environments

(GEOG3001)• Environmental Sustainability:

An Introduction (GEOG3004).

Optional modules may include: • Animals, People and Plants: an

introduction to Ethnobiology(SE306)

• Foundations of BiologicalAnthropology (SE302)

• Geographical Patterns andProcess (GEOG3003)

• Geographies of People andPlace (GEOG3002)

• How Humans Evolved (SE316)• Introduction to Social

Anthropology (SE301)• Principles of Biogeography and

Ecology (DI311).

Stage 2 You take the following compulsorymodules:• Creative Conservation (DI532)• Geography and Environmental

Management (GEOG5005)• Methods and Field Work in Social

Science (GEOG5005).

Optional modules may include:• Cholera to Climate Change:

Environment and Society inModern Britain (HI5101)

• Conservation and Communities(DI520)

• History and Philosophy ofGeography (GEOG5002)

• Spatial Analysis: Principles andMethods (GEOG5004)

• The Anthropocene: PlanetaryCrisis and the Age of Humans(SE558).

Stage 3You take the following compulsorymodules:• Geography Overseas Residential

Field Trip (GEOG6003)• Research Project (DI522).

Optional modules may include:• Climate Change and

Conservation( DI501)• Conservation and Communities

(DI520)• Environmental Law 1 (LAWS5850)• Environmental Law 2 (LAWS5860)• Environmental Politics (SO525)• Geographies of Tourism and

Development (GEOG6002)• Medicinal Plants in Holistic

Perspective (SE575)

• The Anthropology of Health,Illness and Medicine (ANTB5490)

• The Human-Environment Nexus:Contemporary Issues and CriticalApproaches.

Stages 2 and 3 Optional modules you may take ateither stage may include:• Environment and Culture (SE542)• How the West Was Won (or Lost):

The American West in theNineteenth Century (HIST7640)

• Inviting Doomsday: USEnvironmental (HI795)

• Kent Student Certificate forVolunteering (SO670)

• Social Sciences in the Classroom(SE556).

Entry requirementsPlease see p18 for details ofaccepted qualifications andlanguage requirements.

If you are applying from outsidethe UK without the necessaryEnglish language qualifications,you may be able to take the KentInternational Foundation Programmeto gain access to our programmes.For details see: www.kent.ac.uk/ifp

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YEAR IN PROFESSIONALPRACTICE

If you want to stand outfrom other graduates intoday’s highly competitiveglobal job market,spending part of yourdegree gaining workexperience can beinvaluable.

The year in professional practice isa wonderful opportunity to spend up to a year, between the secondand final years, undertaking workplacements with organisationsrelevant to your degree programme.You spend a minimum of 24 weekson placement at one or moreorganisations.

If taken, the year is assessed ona pass/fail basis through employerfeedback and a written report thatyou submit. It contributes 10%towards your final degreeclassification.

You gain confidence andindependence and further developmany of the transferable skillsemployers are looking for, suchas the ability to communicateeffectively and to plan and organiseyour time. You also demonstrate thatyou are flexible in your outlook andhave the enthusiasm and drive tosucceed in a new environment.

Placements can be at home orabroad and give you the opportunityto apply your academic skills in apractical context, offering you rareand unique experiences which willset you apart.

Life-changing experienceFor many students, their yearabroad is a life-changing andrewarding experience. Having risento the challenge of living in anothercountry, they have a renewed beliefin their ability to succeed.

Previous placements have included:• sustainable livelihood options for

poor farmers in Zambia(Afzelia Limited)

• forest impact surveying at theDanau Girang Field Centre,Borneo

• project co-ordination for theUganda Conservation Foundation

• project work for the UnitedNations Convention to CombatDesertification in Germany

• wildlife crime mapping forFreeland India Consultants.

It is your responsibility to find aplacement, but we offer you helpand support along the way.

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“On my year in professionalpractice, I got an opportunitywith the environmentalconsultancy I was workingwith to do practical field workfor two weeks in rural Zambia.I met locals and conductedquestionnaires in the field.That was definitely one ofthe highlights.”

Adele MakayiEnvironmental Social Sciences witha Year in Professional Practice

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They are committed to improvingaccess to learning for all studentsat Kent and can assist with manythings, including:• talking to your lecturers about

any help you need in lecturesor seminars

• arranging note-takers, signersand other support workers

• discussing exam accessarrangements

• helping you with emotional,psychological or mental healthissues

• applying for relevant fundingto support you.

Find out more at:www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport

SUPERB STUDY SUPPORT

We’ll support youthroughout your time atKent, from helping youadjust to university studyto discussing modulechoices and essay topicswith you.

You are assigned an academicadviser in your first year, and theyhelp you get the most from yourdegree programme. They meetwith you regularly to discussgeneral academic issues or specificassignments. They assist you indeveloping academic skills andrefer you to other sources of helpif you need it.

Peer supportThe best advice often comes from people who’ve been in yoursituation. On our Academic PeerMentoring scheme, first-yearstudents can request to be matchedwith second- or third-year studentson a similar degree programme.

Peer mentors help you settle in touniversity life and find your feet.They can help you to discuss ideasand improve your study skills as youprogress through your first year.

Study skills adviceSuccessful students take control oftheir own learning. Kent’s StudentLearning Advisory Service (SLAS)can help you increase yourcompetence and confidenceand fulfil your potential.

You can request a one-to-oneappointment or attend workshopson a diverse range of topics frommaking the most of lectures towriting well and avoiding plagiarism.

Student support andwellbeingYou might need extra help to getthe most from university. If youhave a medical condition, specificlearning difficulty, mental healthcondition or disability, the StudentSupport and Wellbeing team isthere to support you.

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A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

What do you hope to do once you have yourdegree? Whether you havea specific career path inmind, or haven’t yetthought much beyonduniversity, we can helpyou to plan for successin the future.

Build your CVYour degree studies help you todevelop skills such as thinkingcritically, expressing yourself clearly,solving problems and workingindependently and as part of ateam. These transferable skills arevalued by employers and will alsobe vital if you go on to further study.

At Kent, you have lots of other greatopportunities to enhance your skills.For instance, you could:• join a society or sports club (even

better – get involved in running it)• volunteer within the community• work in a part-time job or take

up a summer internship • represent your fellow students

as a student rep, or becomea student ambassador

• learn a new language orskill with Study Plus.

Getting involved like this meansthat you can earn EmployabilityPoints, which you can exchangefor employability rewards. The morepoints you earn, the more valuablethe rewards. We work with local,national and international employersto offer internships, work experienceand a range of other activities thatprepare you for the world of work.

Experience workAs part of your degree programme,you can find work placements witha range of employers fromenvironmental consultancies andorganic farms to NGOs dedicatedto recycling and sustainabledevelopment.

We have strong links withorganisations around the world,giving you a range of excitingplacement opportunities.

Find a great jobYour degree can lead to a widerange of fascinating careers – ourgraduates work in environmentaleducation, as environmental officerswith private and public sectoremployers, and within community-based environmental projects.

You can also visit the University’saward-winning Careers andEmployability Service for advice.Throughout the year, the servicedelivers events on the recruitmentprocess (such as CVs, interviewsand assessment centres), as wellas talks on developing awarenessof the opportunities available.

For more information, see:www.kent.ac.uk/ces

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COME AND FIND OUT MORE

Choosing a universityis a big step, so it’simportant to find out asmuch as you can beforeyou make your decision.Come and visit us to seewhat we can offer you.

Open DaysThese are a great way to find outwhat life as a student at Kent is like.For instance, you can:• learn more about the course

you are interested in at a subjectpresentation

• ask questions – talk to theacademic teams at theinformation stands

• find out about student finance,opportunities to study abroadand extracurricular activitiessuch as those run by Kent Sport.

Explore the campus at your ownpace on the self-guided walkingtour. You will be able to visit differenttypes of accommodation, chat tocurrent students and enjoy thestunning views over Canterbury.

Open Days are held in the summerand autumn. Book your place atwww.kent.ac.uk/opendays

Applicant DaysIf you apply to Kent and we offeryou a place (or ask you to comefor an interview), you will usuallybe invited to an Applicant Day.Applicant Days run in the autumnand spring terms and are anopportunity to find out about the

course in more detail. You spendtime with your academic schoolmeeting staff and current students,and take part in activities that giveyou a flavour of your prospectivecourse and university life.

Informal visitsIf you can’t make it to an Open Dayor Applicant Day, you can still visitus. We run tours of the campusthroughout the year.

If you live outside Europe, weappreciate that you might find itdifficult to attend our scheduledevents, so we can arrange apersonal campus tour for youand your family.

Let us know you’re comingScheduled tours and personalcampus tours (for internationalstudents) need to be booked inadvance – you can do this viawww.kent.ac.uk/informal

Meet us in your countryOur staff regularly travel overseasto meet with students who areinterested in coming to Kent.We also have strong links withagents in your home country whocan offer guidance and informationon studying at Kent. Find out moreat www.kent.ac.uk/courses/international

CONTINUED OVERLEAF

LocationCanterbury

AwardBA (Hons)

Degree programmes

Single honours (BA)• Environmental Social Sciences

(L9D4)• Environmental Social Sciences

with a Year in ProfessionalPractice (11X5).

Offer levelsBBB at A level, IB Diploma 34points overall or 15 points at HL.

Required subjectsGCSE Mathematics grade C (orgrade 4), IB Mathematics 4 at HLor SL.

Access to HE DiplomaCandidates with thesequalifications are assessed on anindividual basis, please contact usfor more information.

BTEC Level 3 ExtendedDiploma (formerly BTECNational Diploma)Distinction, Distinction, Merit.

Please note: we may considercandidates who do not have theseentry requirements but haveseveral years’ relevant experienceor other qualifications in thesubject area.

Year abroad/placement yearFor more information, see p11.

Scholarships and bursariesPlease see www.kent.ac.uk/ugfunding for details ofscholarships and bursaries.

Offer levels and entryrequirements are subject tochange. For the latest courseinformation, see:www.kent.ac.uk/ug

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Self-guided toursIf you prefer to explore on your own,you can download a self-guidedwalking tour at www.kent.ac.uk/informal or pick up a copy from us.

A self-guided audio tour is availabletoo, which allows you to learn aboutKent without even leaving home. Seewww.kent.ac.uk/courses/visit/informal/audio-tour.html

Explore onlineIf you can’t come and see us,you can find out more about theacademic team and the course at:www.kent.ac.uk/sac

Keep in touch with us via socialmedia:www.facebook.com/UniKentSACwww.twitter.com/KentSAC

Contact usIf you would like more informationon Kent’s courses, facilities orservices, please contact us on:T: +44 (0)1227 768896www.kent.ac.uk/ug

This brochure was produced in June 2019. The University of Kent makes every effortto ensure that the information contained in its publicity materials is fair and accurateand to provide educational services as described. However, the courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information,see www.kent.ac.uk/ug and for full details of our terms and conditions, seewww.kent.ac.uk/termsandconditions

For the University to operate efficiently, it needs to process information about youfor administrative, academic and health and safety reasons. Any offer we make toyou is subject to your consent to process such information, which is a requirement in order for you to be registered as a student. All students must agree to abide by theUniversity rules and regulations at: www.kent.ac.uk/regulations

FIND OUT MORE (CONT)

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University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 www.kent.ac.uk/ug

COME ANDVISIT USTo find out more about visitingthe University, see our website:

www.kent.ac.uk/visit