Who am I?
Hi, I’m Caroline. I’m from London and I study Combined Honours in Social Sciences (CHSS) here at Durham. I’m part of Grey College, and one of the best things about being here is the strong sense of community. I love getting involved in college sports and societies, which has helped me meet new people and make the most of student life outside of my studies.
What is Combined Honours in Social Sciences (CHSS)?
CHSS is a flexible degree that lets you mix and match different social sciences subjects. It’s perfect if you want to study more than one area and design a degree that fits your interests and career goals. The programme is ideal for students who are curious and want to explore how different subjects connect. You can choose from subjects like Sociology, Business, Politics, Sport and even a few from Arts and Humanities. This freedom means you can tailor your degree to your interests, whether that’s understanding how societies work, exploring global issues or developing skills that will help you in future careers.
What subjects do I do?
I study Business and Geography, which I love because it combines practical, real-world skills with an understanding of global issues. Business helps me understand how organisations operate, how marketing strategies are developed and how companies respond to change, while Geography lets me explore topics such as sustainability, urbanisation and the wider environmental and social challenges facing the world. Studying the subjects together has shown me how closely connected they are, and gives me the opportunity to tackle contemporary topics. One of my favourite parts of CHSS is being able to connect what I learn across my subjects. Seeing the link between different areas makes my studies engaging and helps me think critically about complex issues from multiple perspectives.
How does choosing your subjects work?
When applying for CHSS, you list your preferred subjects in order, starting with your first choice from the social sciences list. Each year you study 120 credits, which usually means taking six modules. These can come from two to four subjects, depending on what you choose. If you receive an offer, Durham will consider your top two subjects (*subject to availability, timetable and approval). It’s worth checking the CHSS website to see if your potential subjects/modules have any specific prerequisites before applying.
Why CHSS?
Studying CHSS has been one of the best parts of my Durham experience. It’s perfect if you’re curious and want to build a degree around your interest while developing skills like adaptability, critical thinking and global awareness that Durham is known for. These attributes have helped me grow both academically and personally and I know they’ll be valuable going forward.
If you are thinking about applying, I definitely recommend it. CHSS gives you the flexibility to study what you love, challenge yourself and make the most out of what Durham has to offer. Good luck with your application, you’ll love it!
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