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Bachelor of Social Science

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How to apply for 2014 as a Domestic student

Applications for Semester 1 2014 are now open. On-time main round applications close Friday 27 September 2013. Some degrees have earlier closing dates - please check if this applies to any of the degrees you are interested in.

You can still apply for the main round up until Friday 13 December 2013 but you will be charged a late fee. All applications for our undergraduate degrees must be made online through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

International student intake for undergraduate degrees

International students wishing to apply should visit how to apply for international students.

Fast Facts

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Locations

  • Newcastle (Callaghan)
  • Central Coast (Ourimbah)

Delivery

On-campus

Study Details

Program handbook

Student Intake

Domestic and International students

Student Intake

Domestic and International students

ATAR

201360.15

201260.15

201160.20

CRICOS

014637C

Recommended Studies

HSC English (Advanced) For psychology - HSC Mathematics

International Students: Enquire Now

How to apply
Phone: +61 2 4921 6595
Email

Pathways

HSC, Open Foundation, Newstep, Yapug, TAFE, STAT

90 or above guarantees your
place in this degree for 2014
Find out more »

Why study social science at UoN?

Dazed, confused or simply curious about why people do the things they do? This could well be the area of study for you, because as Lecturer Ann Taylor puts it, Social Science is all about people and the quest to understand them.

The flexibility of the degree allows you to pursue those areas that present the best challenges, the most interest and the greatest enjoyment while studying. You receive a broad education in humanities and social sciences, and you can choose from a vast array of courses and majors, from generalist through to the highly vocational.

Whatever your preferred career path (eco-tourism, event management, human services, human resources, global health to name a few), you can expect to graduate with a set of employment-enhancing high-level skills and transferable attributes.

Enjoy diverse and flexible study options

A social science degree equips you with advanced social research skills, high-level communication and teamwork skills and an awareness of ethical and socio-cultural issues. The flexibility of the degree allows you to pursue those areas that present the best challenges, the most interest and the greatest enjoyment while studying. Find out more

Responsive teaching and real-world experiences

You will develop skills in planning, implementing and managing social behaviour in the workplace, social policy and social programs. Find out more

Pursue a rewarding career

As a Social Science graduate you could gain employment in a broad range of rewarding careers at local, national and global levels. Find out more

Meet our achievers

Hear from Bachelor of Social Science graduates and current students. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

Enjoy diverse and flexible study options

A social science degree equips you with advanced social research skills, high-level communication and teamwork skills and an awareness of ethical and socio-cultural issues. The flexibility of the degree allows you to pursue those areas that present the best challenges, the most interest and the greatest enjoyment while studying.

Among the core courses you will undertake as part of your Social Science degree are:

  • Applied Social Research
  • Ethical Debates in the Social Sciences
  • Organisational Management and Social Behaviour
  • Policy Development , Program Management and Evaluation
  • Professional Practice and Key Debates in the Social Sciences
  • Social Analysis: Key Perspectives in the Social Sciences
  • Society and Culture
  • An Applied Social Research Project as part of your third year studies

You can undertake electives in courses outside the Bachelor of Social Science degree, provided you meet the assumed knowledge requirements.

Majors

You get a broad education in humanities and social sciences, and you can choose from a vast array of courses and majors, from generalist courses to the highly vocational.

Please note:

  • Not all majors are available at all campuses.
  • The structure and content of this degree is currently under review and is subject to change.

Find out more about the following majors:

Responsive teaching and real-world experiences

You will develop skills in planning, implementing and managing social behaviour in the workplace, social policy and social programs.

The Bachelor of Social Science offers flexibility and choice and a combination of pure and applied research. We work closely with the Newcastle Careers service so that you are all the while thinking about where the degree could take you and what areas of study inspire you.

As a third year student, you can choose a Bachelor of Social Science placement, allowing you to engage directly with organisations which require Social Science input into their policy, planning and evaluation practices. Under supervision, you will locate and undertake an 80-hour work placement with appropriate organisations involved in social research, education or community service.

Pursue a rewarding career

As a Social Science graduate you could gain employment in a broad range of rewarding careers at local, national and global levels.

You could expect to find work in public sector agencies, community organisations and private firms as a:

  • case manager
  • community development officer
  • general administrator
  • human resources manager
  • policy analyst
  • program manager
  • project coordinator
  • social researcher
  • welfare officer.

The degree will also equip you with a range of transferable high-level stills and attributes including:

  • advanced social research skills
  • critical thought and informed decision-making
  • effective management and teamwork skills
  • ethical and socio-cultural sensitivity
  • high-level communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
  • leadership and teamwork
  • project coordination
  • program management
  • policy development and evaluation
  • report writing
  • research design, data collection and analysis
  • specialist social science knowledge.
  • the use of information and communication technologies.

Meet our achievers

Kris

Danielle

Present: Workplace Change and Culture branch of the RTA

Bachelor of Social Science

Danielle had never considered studying social science because she was not exposed to it in high school, but she discovered her passion whilst doing open foundation when she took a social science subject out of curiosity and loved it.

The social science degree appealed to Danielle because it offered her real prospects for a strong corporate career and enabled her to take a diverse range of subjects that she really enjoyed – her majors were industrial relations and human resource management.

“A third of my subjects were electives and I was able to use these to learn Auslan (Australian sign language), something I had always wanted to do. I then used the remaining electives to boost the business side of my degree – taking courses in ethics and basic accounting in line with my career goals”.

“The job I am doing now is the job of my dreams, and best of all, I am putting the skills I gained at university to use. I am working in the Workplace Change and Culture branch of the RTA – an area which I studied extensively both through my majors and my prescribed courses. I use the knowledge I gained through my degree every day and I would recommend a social science degree to anyone.”

Carly

Bachelor of Social Science

Studying at university, I have been able to follow my passion of social justice. The academics at the University of Newcastle are very passionate about their areas of study and have made a great effort to encourage me throughout the program. They have helped me to believe that I can achieve anything.

Ashleigh

Bachelor of Social Science

Studying the Bachelor of Social Science degree has really expanded my critical thinking skills, particularly focusing on the various political and moral debates within contemporary society. After completing my degree, I hope to be accepted into the Graduate Program for the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.