The Cambridge Human, Social and Political Sciences Thread

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  1. insomniacramblings's Avatar
    • Full Member
    Re: The Cambridge Human, Social and Political Sciences Thread
    Just as I was warming up to the Psychology in PPS, all of a sudden there was HSPS.

    But I'm happy cause it's more up my (very broad) alley.

    Though at this rate, my application will be futile.

    And back to revision I go. :vader:
    Last edited by insomniacramblings; 11-05-2012 at 00:26.
  2. insomniacramblings's Avatar
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    Re: The Cambridge Human, Social and Political Sciences Thread
    (Original post by JumbleJumble)
    Good point! It's easy to get too hung up on your PS I guess but there are other factors too. We got told at the open day that they would probably try to interview virtually everyone who applies so you'll get a chance to say more cambridge specific things then.
    Did they say this goes for all colleges or only the one that held the open day?
  3. JumbleJumble's Avatar
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    • Posts: 191
    Re: The Cambridge Human, Social and Political Sciences Thread
    (Original post by insomniacramblings)
    Did they say this goes for all colleges or only the one that held the open day?
    It was a course open day more than a college one, so I assume it holds for all the colleges (although I guess some might have different systems). What they said to us, if I remember correctly, was that in the science subjects they tend to weed out quite a few applicants before the interviews, but in the arts subects (like HSPS) they try to interview as many of the applicants as they possibly can, especially since the subjects in HSPS are ones we'll probably not have had a chance to study at school.
  4. Clover12's Avatar
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    Re: The Cambridge Human, Social and Political Sciences Thread
    Interested in the course want to go down the Politics/ IR route
  5. scribbledoutname's Avatar
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    • Posts: 131
    Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    Is the human, social and political science at Cambridge worth doing? Would I struggle regarding career prospects due to the broadness of the degree?

    I don't know what A levels to pick yet but I want to work for an NGO in the future and then do something to do with charity. I'd probably need a Masters in something to get into those organisations but what A levels do you think will help me with this?

    Thanks
  6. scribbledoutname's Avatar
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    • Posts: 131
    Re: Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    Anyone?
  7. The West Wing's Avatar
    • TSR Demigod
    • Posts: 5,883
    Re: Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    (Original post by scribbledoutname)
    Is the human, social and political science at Cambridge worth doing? Would I struggle regarding career prospects due to the broadness of the degree?

    I don't know what A levels to pick yet but I want to work for an NGO in the future and then do something to do with charity. I'd probably need a Masters in something to get into those organisations but what A levels do you think will help me with this?

    Thanks
    The career prospects are good, as with any Cambridge undergraduate degree. It's an especially good choice for working for an NGO.

    Cambridge favour traditional subjects, so go for sciences, maths, English lit, history, music, religious education, economics etc.
  8. CallmeJoss's Avatar
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    Re: Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    Any degree from Cambridge is of great value! The world is your oyster.
  9. scribbledoutname's Avatar
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    • Posts: 131
    Re: Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    (Original post by The West Wing)
    The career prospects are good, as with any Cambridge undergraduate degree. It's an especially good choice for working for an NGO.

    Cambridge favour traditional subjects, so go for sciences, maths, English lit, history, music, religious education, economics etc.
    Thank you! Will I be disadvantaged if I don't pick a science? As they don't really appeal to me.
  10. The West Wing's Avatar
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    Re: Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    (Original post by scribbledoutname)
    Thank you! Will I be disadvantaged if I don't pick a science? As they don't really appeal to me.
    No it's completely fine.
  11. Starfruit's Avatar
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    • Posts: 114
    Re: Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    The entry requirements on the course page say no specific subjects are required... so if you don't like sciences, don't do them! It won't be a disadvantage if it's not required or even recommended
  12. scribbledoutname's Avatar
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    • Posts: 131
    Re: Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    (Original post by The West Wing)
    No it's completely fine.
    (Original post by Starfruit)
    The entry requirements on the course page say no specific subjects are required... so if you don't like sciences, don't do them! It won't be a disadvantage if it's not required or even recommended
    Ah ok, thanks guys.
  13. JumbleJumble's Avatar
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    • Posts: 191
    Re: Is the HSPS degree at Cambridge actually worth doing?
    (Original post by scribbledoutname)
    Ah ok, thanks guys.
    Personally, I reckon the broadness of the degree is really good for people like me who are a bit indecisive about the future (though I know I'll LOVE the degree! :P ) and won't harm your career prospects as it will apply to a whole range of disciplines and jobs.
  14. TardisGirl04's Avatar
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    Re: The Cambridge Human, Social and Political Sciences Thread

    Has anyone else seen on the HSPS website that under the college specific requirements for Magdalene it says a test is required "if combining with a modern language"? I'm not sure what this means because I didn't think there was any possibility of taking languages as well. Anyone got any ideas?

    http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/hsps/
  15. iammichealjackson's Avatar
    • PS Helper
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    • Posts: 1,289
    Re: The Cambridge Human, Social and Political Sciences Thread
    (Original post by scribbledoutname)
    Thank you! Will I be disadvantaged if I don't pick a science? As they don't really appeal to me.
    No, sciences are only useful (but not essential) for psychology and biological anthropology routes. You don't even need A Level biology/chemistry to do biological anthropology...
  16. jozef161's Avatar
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    • Posts: 109
    Re: The Cambridge Human, Social and Political Sciences Thread
    I will be applying to HSPS the approaching academic year (Politics IR route). Which books are more than useful to read? I want to read as much around the subject as i possibly can.
  17. jozef161's Avatar
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    • Posts: 109
    Essential books ?
    (Admin, please, do not move this thread to HSPS as it is relatively inactive)

    I will be applying to HSPS the following academic year, do you guys know any 'very useful' books to read about Politics/IR ?
  18. s_axo's Avatar
    • Benevolent Member
    • Posts: 770
    Human, Social, and Political Science at Cambridge
    Hello, all!!

    Right, so I'm looking at studying sociology specifically however I've been looking at Human, Social, and Political Science at Cambridge, as I know I can specialise in sociology in my second year. I know during the first year you study other topics such Politics, International Relations, Social Anthropology, Psychology 'but other courses are also available.' So, I would like to know what these other courses are? That's all the website really says, so if any of you guys know, it would be extremely useful. Luckily, I am visiting Cambridge this month for an open day, but I would still like to be a little informed!! :P

    Thanks guys.
  19. The Polymath's Avatar
    • TSR Demigod
    Re: Human, Social, and Political Science at Cambridge
    Part I:


    Part II:



    Nose around the "Prospective Students" area here http://www.hsps.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/ for more information
  20. Sabbatai Zevi's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 94
    Re: Essential books ?
    The Anarchical Society by Hedley Bull is a good starting point for IR, and was recommended to me by my current Director of Studies to fill me in when I switched to PPS.
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