2115 Social and humanities scientists

In short

• ONS unit group 2115, in minor group 211 (Natural and social science professionals) and major group 2 (Professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £40,400 (£20.72 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £28,000 (£14.36 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Social and humanities scientists study and analyse human behaviour and the origin, structure and characteristics of language undertake research in areas such as sociology, economics, politics, archaeology, history, philosophy, literature, the arts organise the collection of qualitative and quantitative information and perform subsequent analyses.

Typical entry routes

Entry is most common with a degree or equivalent qualification but is possible with other academic qualifications and/or relevant experience. Postgraduate qualifications may be required for some jobs.

Tasks

• studies society and the manner in which people behave and impact upon the world
• undertakes research across the humanities that furthers understanding of human culture and creativity
• traces the evolution of word and language forms, compares grammatical structures and analyses the relationships between ancient, parent and modern languages
• identifies, compiles and analyses economic, demographic, legal, political, social and other data to address research objectives
• administers questionnaires, carries out interviews, organises focus groups and implements other social research tools
• undertakes analyses of data, presents results of research to sponsors, the media and other interested organisations
• addresses conferences and publishes articles detailing the methodology and results of research undertaken

Related job titles

• Anthropologist
• Archaeologist
• Criminologist
• Epidemiologist
• Geographer
• GIS analyst
• Historian
• Political researcher
• Social scientist

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2115 Social and humanities scientists

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Anthropologists
• Archaeologists
• Behavioural scientists
• Epidemiologists
• Genealogists
• Geographic information systems (GIS) analysts
• Historians
• Political scientists
• Public health analysts
• Social and humanities scientists not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£40,400 (£20.72 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£36,400 (£18.67 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2115 Social and humanities scientists

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2114

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Anthropologists
• Archaeologists
• Behavioural scientists
• Epidemiologists
• Genealogists
• Geographic information systems (GIS) analysts
• Historians
• Political scientists
• Public health analysts
• Social and humanities scientists not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£28,000 (£14.36 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£25,200 (£12.92 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 211

• 2111 Chemical scientists
• 2112 Biological scientists
• 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists
• 2114 Physical scientists
• 2119 Natural and social science professionals n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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