Why?
Human, Social, and Political Sciences is an extremely wide-ranging, inter-disciplinary and mutually complementary course that can be tailor-made to fit your particular academic interests. As a student, you are taught by world-class scholars in Political Sciences, Sociology and Social Anthropology and are able to choose freely from these disciplines in designing your course.
Course
Your teaching centres around your weekly/bi-weekly supervision and the essay you prepare in advance. In addition, you are expected to attend around 8 lectures per week.
Exams take place at the end of each year and take the form of a three-hour written exam. You also have the option of substituting one of your papers for a 10,000-word dissertation in your third year.
In your first year, you choose 4 courses. Three from: Politics, International Relations, Sociology, Social anthropology. Your fourth paper can either be another from the core subjects or one of the following: Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Psychology.
By second year you must choose your specialisation, and choose either to focus on a single subject from the above or choose a combination of two subjects.
Applying
Typical offer requires A*AA at A-level or 40-42 IB points. All candidates must also take a pre-interview written assessment which comprises of an hour-long written comprehension task and an hour-long essay. Some but not all colleges will require submitted sample essays.
A strong HSPS candidate will have a well-manifested interest in course subjects, complemented with in-depth and reflective wider-reading and extra-curricular activities related to the course.
Statistics
2017 - Applications: 932, Offers: 208, Acceptance Rate: 18%.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Personal Statements
Our Mentors offer advice on personal statement structure and writing; they also recommend literature.
Submitting Essays
Essays provide Oxbridge with an in-depth understanding of your academic abilities. We can help you showcase your best.
Interviews
Interviews are vital to Oxbridge success. They are also what students practise least; our Mentors can help.
Support Courses
View our tried and tested courses, designed to ensure that your Oxbridge application succeeds.
KEY HSPS RESOURCES
Cambridge
In our economically, socially and politically interconnected world, cross-cultural sensitivity and understanding is a vital attribute for those studying and working internationally.