Course Overview
Attendance
* Price per 20-credit module
Course summary
The Culture, Environment and Social Change BA will enable you to explore the most important issues in the world today. Ranging from climate change and resource depletion to mass migration and social inequality, you’ll examine critical issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives in order to make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world at a variety of different scales.
On this course, you’ll examine how the historical forces of colonialism and capitalism have laid the foundations for contemporary environmental and social crises, learn how to critically analyse the ways humans understand, experience and impact the natural world and gain a clear understanding of how cultural media and institutions have shaped the evolving relationships between societies and environments in the Global North and South.
The core modules have been designed to introduce you to key ideas and theories in environmental humanities and social justice. These are combined with a broad range of option modules, enabling you to tailor your degree to your individual interests. You can develop a specialism in Language and Communication, Law, or Politics. You can also select a range of optional modules from English Literature, Creative Writing, Sociology, and History, allowing you to experience different methodological perspectives on contemporary environmental and social issues.
Ultimately, this course aims to develop environmentally and socially conscious global citizens who want to make a difference in the world. All through the course and upon graduating, you’ll be empowered to advocate for social change and prepared for a career in a wide spectrum of areas, including policymaking, campaigning, education, government, the arts and industry.
Top reasons to study with us
- Optional years of work or study abroad or in a UK placement are available, providing the opportunity to extend your learning and gain insight into possible future careers
- Develop a specialism in language and communication, law or politics throughout the degree
- Enhance your studies with options to select electives from English literature, creative writing, sociology and history
- Undertake an extended research project in your final year: this can be on a topic of your choosing and presented in your choice of medium
- Assessment methods including podcasting, blog writing, video production and presenting will help you develop the digital skills to advocate for change
Course structure
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Study subjects include:
- CESC Tutorial 1
- Land, People, Culture
- Objects and Meaning: The Social Life of Material Culture
- Protests: From Bread Riots to Extinction Rebellion
- Global Governance and Development
- Intercultural Communication: An Introduction
- Race and the Law
Credit Level 4
Study subjects include:
- CESC Tutorial 2
- Representations and Theories of Social and Environmental Justice
- Working With Data
- Climate, Change and Culture
- Introduction to Human Rights Law
- Language in the Public Space
- Making Memory: Culture History and Representation
- The Politics of Killing
Credit Level 5
Professional experience or study abroad year
Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – Culture, Environment and Social Change with Professional Experience.
Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours – Culture, Environment and Social Change with International Experience.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
Study subjects include:
- CESC Project
- Contemporary Ideas and Challenges
- Social Change
- Elements of International Law and Global Justice
- Issues in Culture
- Sex Strike: Gender and Protest
- The Global Politics of Climate Change: Security, Sustainability and Low-Carbon Transition
- Work Placement for Humanities
Credit Level 6
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
As a student in the School of Humanities, you’ll have opportunities to gain certification in employability-related skills. This course has been designed with a strong focus on career prospects, with employability skills woven throughout the core modules and tutorial sessions. Innovative modules will require you to organise and present at your own conference and produce digital resources, including campaigns, podcasts or videos.
Employing Humanities Programme
Benefit from our tailored scheme to develop work readiness and draw attention to the wide applicability of humanities skills in working life and careers.
Boost your Employability
Gain international or workplace experience by studying abroad or undertaking a work placement between your second and third year.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Industry Links
In Years 2 and 3, you’ll be taught by practitioners fighting for social and environmental change across education, NGOs, politics, law, journalism and the arts, as well as academics from a range of disciplines.
As part of the Employing Humanities programme, you’ll engage with employers from various fields through tailored humanities career fairs and the ‘Hackathon’, where employers provide live briefs for student work. Previous employers have included Meta, Channel 4, BBC News, Mind, Brand Advance and WaterAid.
Graduate employers
Graduates of this course can follow a range of different routes that may include:
- Policymaking
- Campaigning
- Education
- Government
- The arts
- Environmental and social justice
- Industry
Job roles
This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including:
- Diversity and inclusion manager
- Work in charitable or campaigning businesses
- Talent developer
- Community liaison
- Sustainability development officer
- Accessibility policy advisor
- HR officer
- Work in local or national equalities commissions
- Museum educator
- Outreach officer
- Teacher
- Digital content producer
- Recruitment officer
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Dr Seagh Kehoe
Senior Lecturer
Séagh is a Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies. They hold degrees from University College Cork (Chinese Studies and Sociology BA), Leiden University (East Asian Studies MA) and University of Nottingham (Chinese Studies PhD). They have also studied at Sichuan University and the Rangjung Yeshe Institute.
Before joining Westminster in 2019, Séagh lectured at the University of Nottingham, University of Leicester and University College Dublin. They teach modules in cultural studies, language and gender studies.
Their research examines Chinese media representations of ethnicity and race, gender and sexuality, nationalism, and military. They have published in 'China Quarterly', 'positions', 'Media', 'Culture & Society', and 'Asian Ethnicity', and were co-editor of 'Cultural China: The Contemporary China Review' 2020 and 2021.
Our degrees will give you the tools to think critically about what it means to be human in a complex and dynamically changing world.
Course Team
- Professor Pippa Catterall - Professor of History and Policy
- Dr Kate M. Graham - Senior Lecturer in English Literature (Theatre)
- Dr Gwilym Jones - Lecturer in English
- Dr Seagh Kehoe - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Elinor Taylor - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Heather Pagan - Senior Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics
- Dr Siavash Bakhtiar - Lecturer
- Dr Itay Lotem - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Matthew Charles - Senior Lecturer in Cultural and Critical Theory
Why study this course?
Develop a Specialism
Choose to specialise in language and communication, law or politics and take electives from English literature, creative writing, sociology and history.
Make a positive impact
Develop the theory and skills that will empower you to make a difference in the world.
Creative Assessment
Produce podcasts, campaigns, educational curriculum, blogs and more as part of your studies.
Entry Requirements
- A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
- BTEC Diploma – D*D
- Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.
- International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £1,540 (Price per 20-credit module)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £2,830 (Price per 20-credit module)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
Subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.
For more details, visit our locations page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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