King's College London

In the Guardian UK University Guide for 2025 King’s has ranked number one for sociology and social policy.

Responding to the news Professor Linda McKie, Dean of the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy (SSPP), commented:

“These fantastic results are the result of substantial work across the past year. They underline that studying social sciences at King’s provides an educational experience that is rich, distinctive and excellent. Our courses give students the highest level of academic excellence alongside the practical application of theories and knowledge to improving the world around us, including a strong focus on careers. The results are a testament to the hard work of staff in the faculty who are constantly looking to improve our offer for students.”

These rankings relate to courses based at the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy: the BA in Global Health & Social Science and BSC in Global Health and Social Medicine, based at the School of Global Affairs, and the BA Social Sciences, based at the School of Education, Communication & Society.

Kawsar Tailor, student on the BA Social Sciences, said:

"I can see why we have been ranked first in the Guardian University Guide as the course takes on a more impactful approach to learning than I have seen in other universities! The course is coproduced by staff and students so that we are not only consuming knowledge from our lecturers but we are also sharing our knowledge and resources with each other as a community in a reciprocated manner. The lecturers and seminar tutors also facilitate and encourage us to apply our learning of theory to contemporary issues outside of the classroom."

Farhan Samanani and Billy Holzberg, Deputy Programme Directors on the BA Social Sciences, added:

"The BA Social Sciences takes a unique approach, with a focus on questions of social justice and of how to shape a better, fairer world. We take a democratic approach where students and staff work together to shape everything from teaching to our shared culture, and we put considerable emphasis on critical thinking and practical social change. The course is based on continuous assessment enabling students to build a wide skill set through not only writing essays and research reports but also through podcasts, reflexive diaries, group presentations or policy analyses. We think the success we have experienced reflects the growing desire for this sort of learning."

Anne Pollock, Head of Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, commented:

“The BA in Global Health and Social Science and the BSc in Global Health and Social Medicine are both innovative interdisciplinary degrees, with a distinctive approach to sociology and social policy that centres health and justice. The courses speak directly to increasing interest among young people and the broader society in the intersections of health inequities and social justice. It is an honour to see their excellence recognised.”

The results for sociology and social policy placed King’s above notable social science institutions Cambridge and LSE. Other notable rankings for courses based at SSPP were International Relations – 5^th in the UK; Politics – 6^th; Economics - 15th, and Geography, which rose six places to 30.

The Guardian University Guide ranks universities through eight different scores, which form a total out of 100. These include what students say about their teaching, feedback in the annual National Student Survey, and employment prospects after university.