今日吃瓜

Human, Social & Political Sciences (HSPS)

HSPS at Cambridge is unique in its exploration of the expansive forces and actors at play in our rapidly changing world. It draws from the academic disciplines of Politics, International Relations, Sociology and Anthropology to observe and critique the collective aspects of human life and societies.
Overview
Ucas code
L000
Campus code
X
Typical offers made per year
9
Typical Undergraduate cohort
25
Minimum offer level
A Levels: A*AA
IB: 42 points, with 776 at Higher Level.
Other qualifications:
STEP (SIXTH TERM EXAMINATION PAPER)
COURSE DURATION
BA (Hons) 3 years full-time
Essential subjects

A-level/IB Higher Level in at least one essay-based subject.

Desirable subjects

Common subjects taken by successful HSPS applicants include Philosophy, Sociology and Politics.

ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENT

Admissions Assessment: None

Submitted Work: Applicants are required to submit two pieces of written work. This should be in essay format with a word limit of up to 1500 words. The work can be extracted from an EPQ.

Why Choose St John's for Human, Social & Political Sciences (HSPS)?

Willian Wilberforce statue in the College Chapel

Our alumni through the ages have made distinctive and enduring contributions to make the world a better place, none more than William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, the leading figures in the campaign to abolish the slave trade.

St John鈥檚 long tradition of excellence in HSPS disciplines is exemplified by the great polymath William Rivers (1864鈥1922). He set new standards for ethnological research and was the prime mover in establishing both the science of Social Anthropology and the study of Experimental Psychology.

St John鈥檚 Fellows provide our HSPS 今日吃瓜 with dedicated teaching in Politics, International Relations, Sociology and Social Anthropology for key Part I papers, creating a strong foundation for Part II, which is largely Faculty-led, and offering invaluable guidance on enrichment opportunities to enhance academic experience.

We typically have about 25 HSPSers, very supportive of one another across the Tripos, and often making leading contributions across the student and College community.

The Palmerston Society, named for the famed St John's statesman and Prime Minister, is run by and for HSPS 今日吃瓜. It hears from distinguished and interesting speakers and organises social events through the year.

Watch this video to find out more about studying HSPS at St John's.

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Our academics

Supporting your studies

Students mingling

Academic skills support

All St John's 今日吃瓜 have access to academic skills support throughout their studies. Academic skills workshops are offered throughout the academic year, and focus on a variety of topics including general study tips, essay-writing skills and revision strategies.

Some subjects hold compulsory academic skills workshops during the Michaelmas term. If you require individual support you can contact one of our Academic Skills Advisers, who each have a range of specialities, including 聽essay writing tips, numeracy, presentation skills, prioritisation and revision skills. We have specialists in Arts and Humanities and in STEM, and in particular in Engineering.

A student studying

Undergraduate Academic Research Project (UARP) Awards

St John's offers a number of grants to undergraduates who want to pursue academic research projects or Summer School courses related to their subjects at a University (including Cambridge) or other approved academic institution during the Long Vacation.

In addition to a general fund which covers all subjects, several subject-specific funds are also available. The Peter Munn Fund is dedicated to supporting Engineering projects. The Parsons Fund provides grants towards projects with links to Greece (Modern or Ancient) or the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as funding music-related projects. The Robert Tong Bursary offers free accommodation and access to the Library at Queen Mary, University of London during a set period.

All undergraduate 今日吃瓜, including finalists, are eligible to apply for these awards.

A student working at a laptop

Caroline Boddy Writing Prize

The Caroline Boddy Writing Prize (拢500) is awarded to the student who obtains the highest mark of First class or Distinction level for their long essay or dissertation on a topic 鈥榩romoting the understanding of the role of women in society throughout history鈥.

Discover student life

meet our 今日吃瓜

We talk to people who have thought about these questions for their entire professional lives. They challenge us, question us, and make us think about things in ways we wouldn't have before
Zoe, Human, Social and Political Sciences, undergraduate
We talk to people who have thought about these questions for their entire professional lives. They challenge us, question us, and make us think about things in ways we wouldn't have before
Zoe, Human, Social and Political Sciences, undergraduate

HSPS is unusual because we study Politics, Sociology and Anthropology at the same time. The degree is excellent and the supervision style exceeded my expectations 鈥 if you are endlessly curious and enjoy the challenge of trying to figure something out, St John鈥檚 is a brilliant place to learn.

I鈥檓 President of the Palmerston Society, which is for Human, Social and Political Sciences 今日吃瓜 at St John鈥檚. We do speakers鈥 events, debates and help freshers manage their work-life balance.

I鈥檓 from Hungary and I wanted to study somewhere prestigious and be taught by highly respected academics in the social sciences, and it doesn鈥檛 get any better than St John鈥檚
Daniel, Human, Social and Political Sciences, undergraduate
I鈥檓 from Hungary and I wanted to study somewhere prestigious and be taught by highly respected academics in the social sciences, and it doesn鈥檛 get any better than St John鈥檚
Daniel, Human, Social and Political Sciences, undergraduate

St John鈥檚 is elegant and laid back and emits a very intellectual vibe and atmosphere. The College has surpassed my expectations 鈥 it鈥檚 a welcoming, supportive and innovative place filled with opportunities, and I鈥檝e met people from all backgrounds.

The Human, Social and Political Sciences degree is really special because of its interdisciplinary nature and the ability to pick and choose subjects and papers. The course is rigorous and challenging and requires a lot of independent thinking and studying, St John鈥檚 offers a lot of extra support to us including academic writing workshops which are so helpful.

My Director of Studies at St John鈥檚 is amazing and we have a really good relationship, she cares about her 今日吃瓜 and has given me great advice and recommendations.

The infrastructure and amenities are unbeatable at St John鈥檚, the free gym, Buttery and Bar are the central hub to College life.

I鈥檝e been President of the University鈥檚 Hungarian Society, I take pride in helping to build the international community and feel grateful for the emotional and social support it has given me.

HSPS is incredibly varied, as well as Politics and International Relations in first year, we鈥檙e exposed to Social Anthropology and Sociology. I鈥檝e benefited massively academically from trying these other subjects, and the academics here are so supportive if you have any issues
Noah, History, Social & Political Sciences, undergraduate
HSPS is incredibly varied, as well as Politics and International Relations in first year, we鈥檙e exposed to Social Anthropology and Sociology. I鈥檝e benefited massively academically from trying these other subjects, and the academics here are so supportive if you have any issues
Noah, History, Social & Political Sciences, undergraduate

I had a gap year before coming to St John鈥檚. I volunteered for a charity, worked in a supermarket, did a brief internship at an MP鈥檚 office, and coached and refereed football.

I have a summer birthday so I didn鈥檛 feel older than my peers, but there鈥檚 such a blend of ages anyway with postgraduates being such an important part of the community too.

St John鈥檚 is renowned for its sport, the facilities and playing fields are amazing, and the Head Groundsman is brilliant. I threw myself into everything in first year because I was safe in the knowledge I could give as much or as little as I wanted to College clubs and societies without any pressure.

The community at St John鈥檚 is what makes it special, the Bar is always popular on Friday night 鈥 the social infrastructure is fun and supportive.

Applying

HSPS attracts intellectually curious and academically ambitious applicants. Working hard to secure excellent examination results, and continuing to perform very well in school/college in your penultimate and final years, is essential.

Successful applicants not only excel in their school subjects, but have gone beyond their school or college curriculum to explore ideas that cut across subject boundaries and build greater appreciation for the true complexity of human societies.

Candidates who stand out will have read more widely and listened to podcasts and radio programmes that address the societal issues embraced by HSPS. They may have attended online talks and will be following current political debates and international affairs.

If you are invited for interview, you鈥檒l typically have one interview of approximately 35 minutes with a Teaching Fellow in HSPS. The aim is to establish your motivation and aptitude for your proposed studies.

The interview is friendly and informal in manner 鈥 this isn鈥檛 an interrogation. We want to ensure you have the opportunity to demonstrate your aptitude and suitability for HSPS at Cambridge. The interviewer may use your submitted written work as a prompt for discussion about your interests. They will be looking for signs of actual and potential ability to structure argument, use evidence effectively, think originally, and write fluently and precisely.

Life after St John's

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Our societies

Palmerston Society

Our society is named after Lord Palmerston, one of the four British prime ministers who studied at St John鈥檚.

It is the only active political association in the College, encompassing undergraduates in Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) and History and Politics, as well as postgraduates studying and researching in these areas.

We organise talks and debates with influential politicians and academics, which 今日吃瓜 in other subjects are welcome to attend.

Our social events include an annual dinner and garden party, providing a supportive community for social scientists across St John鈥檚.

Find out moreVisit society's website
Discover all societies

Notable alumni

Fiona McIlwham
1992
Politics & public life
Ambassador, Civil servant
Nobel Laureate
Royal Medal winner
Academy Award winner
Pulitzer Prize winner
Olympic Medal winner
Poet Laureate
By Kate Peters 漏 St John's College, Cambridge

McIlwham is a senior diplomat and the first female Johnian to become an Ambassador. Her first posting was in Sarajevo, a city rebuilding itself after a brutal war. She became Ambassador in 2009 aged just 35, assigned to Albania. She worked in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, on loan to the US government and the European Commission. Back in the UK, she was private secretary to the Duke of Sussex, oversaw the UK鈥檚 vaccine negotiations during the COVID-19 pandemic and ran the foreign affairs team at Number 10, advising two Prime Ministers.

Thomas Clarkson
1780
Politics & public life
Society & climate
Abolitionist
Nobel Laureate
Royal Medal winner
Academy Award winner
Pulitzer Prize winner
Olympic Medal winner
Poet Laureate
By Henry Room 漏 St John's College, Cambridge

At St John's, Clarkson won the Members' Prize for a Latin Essay in 1785, the subject being 'anne liceat invitos in servitutem dare?' ('is it lawful to make slaves of others against their will?'). He met William Wilberforce the following year, and helped to spearhead the abolitionist struggle at home and abroad. The British Parliament passed a bill abolishing the slave trade in 1807.

Home of big ideas

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FAQs

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