Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Take a closer look at the teaching and research taking place across our faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
In the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, our departments deliver courses and conduct research in a wide variety of humanities and social sciences subjects - from politics and international development, to criminology, education, literature and languages. We're home to more than 200 staff and 6,000 students from the UK, EU, and overseas.
Our teaching is supported by the latest technology, with learning resources created in partnership between academics and experienced online course developers. All of our degrees aim to offer a global perspective on their subjects, so our students graduate with limitless horizons.
Our research explores themes across a host of subjects within the faculty, which informs the teaching and supervision of our students. Many of our researchers are called on to work with governments, aid organisations and public services around the world, to help bring about social change. We also support academic staff to develop partnerships and consultancy activities with public and private enterprise.
We engage with the world beyond our University, ensuring that our students are fully prepared for the careers they wish to pursue. This might mean the option of overseas work or study placements, joint degrees or even virtual study abroad, where students take part in shared learning with those in other countries.
We opened the Placement and Internship Centre in 2013, and most of our courses offer placement years. Our students have the opportunity to gain real workplace experience, whether by choosing a paid placement year in industry, or by opting for shorter work placements or voluntary opportunities. We help them understand what they can gain from the experience, identify the best fit, find a suitable placement and make a success of it.
The faculty is located in four different buildings around the compact city centre campus: Park Building, Milldam, St George’s Building and Ravelin House.
Explore our faculty
Explore the departments in this faculty
School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature
Explore the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature, and find out more about the teaching and research activities happening now within the school.
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Read more about the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and explore the teaching and research activities that take place within it.
School of Education, Languages and Linguistics
Explore the School of Education, Languages and Linguistics, and learn more about the teaching and research activities that take place within the school.
Teaching
Whatever degree our students choose, they learn from lecturers whose diverse research is united by fundamental questions - how should we live? How can we live better? And how can we change things so everyone, around the world, can live life to the full?
Our class sizes create a supportive environment for learning, so diverse voices are heard and each course becomes a community. Every course starts with an induction that puts making friends at its heart. Our students can build peer groups who support them throughout their degree journeys – and beyond.
We include projects and simulated experiences during our courses that enable our students to graduate ready for rewarding work. The opportunities are as diverse as our courses. For example, students can practise forensic analysis in a simulated crime scene, curate a new literary prize or submit a winning pitch, get their voices heard at the Model United Nations, or develop professional skills in our Conference Interpreter Training Suite.
Guest lecturers and visiting speakers from industry also give our students fresh perspectives on their career options, as well as the chance to start building a network of professional contacts who could help them achieve their future ambitions.
Our students discover:
- how to be open to new ideas
- how to step outside their comfort zone
- how to gain any new skills they need, fast
- how to grow, personally and professionally
- how to think: globally, critically, differently
They graduate with the tools they need to:
- assess their options
- identify fresh opportunities
- connect with employers
- always find their place
Our teaching areas
Themes across our courses include areas of social justice and challenges facing humanity. Through studying with us, our students can become the change they want to see in society.
Childhood, youth studies and education courses
Want a rewarding career shaping how children and young people learn and develop? Choose one of our childhood, youth studies and education courses.
Criminology and forensic studies courses
Find out about studying a Criminology degree at one of the largest criminology departments in the country.
English and creative writing courses
Writing has the power to transport readers and listeners to an entirely different time and place. Tailor your studies to suit your goals, and graduate with the knowledge and skills find your dream career.
History, politics and international relations courses
Get the skills, knowledge and opportunities to develop a deep understanding of human behaviour, culture and society, and how they interact.
Languages courses
Develop an in-demand skill set, and get a deeper insight into the culture, history and politics of another country, with a Languages degree.
Or read about postgraduate research opportunities within the faculty:
Research
Our research areas
Explore the research work we're doing within the faculty – across areas including English Literature, linguistics, history, criminology, education, area studies and sociology.
Area studies
We're exploring international relations, history, politics, economies, cultures, languages and geography across specific regions.
Criminology
We're researching how to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute crime to keep up with the changing nature of criminal behaviour.
Education
We're researching what education looks like for different groups of people around the globe, while pushing for social justice and the human rights agenda worldwide.
English literature
We're researching how literature provides insight and understanding into the lives of other individuals, communities and cultures.
History
We're understanding our society through the study of experiences, culture, values and activities of people throughout history.
Languages and applied linguistics
We're looking beyond words to explore how they're used in certain contexts, and the relationship words can have with social constructs such as class or power. Explore our languages and applied linguistics research.
Politics and international relations
We're exploring pressing issues in politics and international relations and working with organisations, governments and individuals to find solutions.
Sociology
We're studying the patterns of relationships, social interaction, cultures and communities, and how people live their lives. Explore our sociology research.
Women's and gender studies
We're exploring women’s issues and gender issues in social and cultural contexts through time, and how gender is represented in the media. Explore our women's and gender studies research.
Our research centres
Much of our exceptional research takes place within the following research centres – find out more below.
Centre for European and International Studies Research
We're researching topics such as citizenship, race, language across borders, social theory and transnational politics.
Centre for Studies in Literature
We're researching the history and culture of the English speaking world through literature.
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Read more about the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and explore the teaching and research activities that take place within it.
Our staff
Contact us
To get in touch, please contact our Faculty office.
Phone: +44 (0)23 9284 2992
Email: hss-enquiries@port.ac.uk
