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liberal arts vs combined hons social science

i'm applying for durham university but not sure whether to pick liberal arts or combined honours in social sciences - i want to mostly study politics as i love it at a level, but also want to take classes in philosophy, visual arts, education and possibly history.
the course pages say liberal arts is more suited for you if 'arts and humanities' are your main interest, and CHSS is better if 'social sciences' are your main interest. this is where i'm confused as politics and education are classed as 'social sciences' and visual arts, history and philosophy are 'arts and humanities'. im leaning towards CHSS but it sounds like such a non-degree if you know what i mean??? anyone currently doing lib arts or CHSS give me advice?
Reply 1
Original post by venus_e2
i'm applying for durham university but not sure whether to pick liberal arts or combined honours in social sciences - i want to mostly study politics as i love it at a level, but also want to take classes in philosophy, visual arts, education and possibly history.
the course pages say liberal arts is more suited for you if 'arts and humanities' are your main interest, and CHSS is better if 'social sciences' are your main interest. this is where i'm confused as politics and education are classed as 'social sciences' and visual arts, history and philosophy are 'arts and humanities'. im leaning towards CHSS but it sounds like such a non-degree if you know what i mean??? anyone currently doing lib arts or CHSS give me advice?

Have you looked at Exeter's flexible combined honours?
Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
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Reply 2
Original post by Muttley79
Have you looked at Exeter's flexible combined honours?

yes i am applying for lib arts at exeter (as well as kcl, manchester & leeds) just really want to go to durham haha
Original post by venus_e2
i'm applying for durham university but not sure whether to pick liberal arts or combined honours in social sciences - i want to mostly study politics as i love it at a level, but also want to take classes in philosophy, visual arts, education and possibly history.
the course pages say liberal arts is more suited for you if 'arts and humanities' are your main interest, and CHSS is better if 'social sciences' are your main interest. this is where i'm confused as politics and education are classed as 'social sciences' and visual arts, history and philosophy are 'arts and humanities'. im leaning towards CHSS but it sounds like such a non-degree if you know what i mean??? anyone currently doing lib arts or CHSS give me advice?

Look at the course structure of both and select the one that you prefer. Good luck
Reply 4
Original post by venus_e2
yes i am applying for lib arts at exeter (as well as kcl, manchester & leeds) just really want to go to durham haha


Liberal arts is different from Flexible combined honours ... Exeter is a much nicer place than Durham and no room sharing or being messed around by admissions.

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fch/
Original post by venus_e2
i'm applying for durham university but not sure whether to pick liberal arts or combined honours in social sciences - i want to mostly study politics as i love it at a level, but also want to take classes in philosophy, visual arts, education and possibly history.
the course pages say liberal arts is more suited for you if 'arts and humanities' are your main interest, and CHSS is better if 'social sciences' are your main interest. this is where i'm confused as politics and education are classed as 'social sciences' and visual arts, history and philosophy are 'arts and humanities'. im leaning towards CHSS but it sounds like such a non-degree if you know what i mean??? anyone currently doing lib arts or CHSS give me advice?


Hiya

Amy, a Liberal Arts student, has answered your question:

Whether you pick Liberal Arts or Combined Honours, you can still take a combination of both social sciences and humanities. The difference between Liberal Arts and Combined Honours is that for Liberal Arts, at least 50% of what you study (and then go on to do your dissertation/main project in) will likely be in a humanities subject, and for Combined Honours, you will need to study at least 50% in a social science and then do your final project/dissertation in that.

What’s so great about both degrees is that you can change what you do from year to year to some extent. If you are drawn to multiple subjects you might take three or four subjects in the first year of your degree, and then you can change up what you do and what amount of each subject you do in the following year. There is also sometimes the possibility of switching between the two degrees if you find yourself more drawn to the specialising in the other discipline after you have started.

I have loved the flexibility of my degree, and I have had so much opportunity to learn and try new things because of it! I would highly recommend picking either degree if you have a variety of interests, though with the combination you are looking at and to put the greatest emphasis on politics, it does look like CHSS might cater the best to your interests!

Hope that helps :smile:

-Himieka

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