Human, Social and Political Sciences

UCAS Code

L000 BA/HSPS

Typical Offers Require

A Level: A*AA IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level

If you want to study Politics or Social Anthropology or International Relations or Sociology, or a combination of these, then this is the course for you. HSPS allows you to study a subject you may never have studied before. HSPS offers specialist or joint degrees and, in your first year, you can also choose to take a paper in another subject from outside HSPS if you wish (from example, from Psychology, Biological Anthropology, or Archaeology).

Subject Requirements

Essential: At least one essay-based subject (i.e. a Social Science such as Geography, Politics, Sociology and/or a Humanities or Arts subject such as English, History, a Modern Language).

HSPS is a broad course so a range of subjects can provide a good background. This means that Science and Maths subjects as well as Arts and Social Science subjects can be useful preparation, but a background in at least one essay-writing subject is essential. Candidates are typically asked for A*AA at A Level and 40-41 points at IB, with 776 at Higher Level.

Written Work

Applicants are asked to submit one school essay (with teachers’ original comments on). We do not mind what subject your work comes from but it should be from an essay-based subject, written in English. If you have not written essays in English, please contact the Admissions Office for guidance about what to submit.

Admission Assessments

No assessment required

Directors of Studies

Baroness Smith of Newnham Professor Julie Smith (Part I & Part IIA Politics; IR)

Dr Stuart Hogarth (Sociology)

Dr Marta Magalhães-Wallace (Social Anthropology)

College Fellows in Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS):

Dr Iza Kavedzija (Social Anthropology)

Fellows Emeritae in Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS):

Dr Maryon McDonald (Social Anthropology)

Dr Deborah Thom (Sociology; Gender)

More information on studying Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) can be found at: