Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
Admission to our undergraduate degree programs usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools.
For additional information about this degree you can refer to the pages for the corresponding single degrees:
Bachelor of Development Studies, and Bachelor of Social Science
Program handbook
Description
The need for environmentally sustainable and equitable development is one of the most serious issues facing the contemporary world. Development Studies provides opportunities to study the causes and consequences of unequal development and assess policy options for a more equitable and sustainable future.
Social science provides you with the opportunity to analyse, challenge and gain an insight into theories about life cycle, gender, class, race, work, social justice and social organisation. Social science theories are the result of systematic thinking, observations and reflection, and contribute to political and moral debate in society, rather than dictate precise answers to complex social problems.
The combined program offers students an interdisciplinary understanding of uneven development in the Bachelor of Development Studies with a grounding in social science theory and practice from the Bachelor of Social Science.
Details
| Information correct as at | 19 Jun 2021 5:31 am | |||
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| Program code | 40095 | |||
| AQF level | Level 7 Bachelor Degree | |||
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| Recommended studies | HSC English (Advanced) or equivalent. For the Psychology Studies major: HSC Mathematics or equivalent. | |||
| Term type | Semesters | |||
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| Relevant University rules and policies |
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| CRICOS Code | 095143K |
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Admission information
Admission requirements
Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Admission information for Australian students and residents is available online here. Admission information for international students can be found here. During the admission process adjustment factors may be applied to your Selection Rank. Please visit our website to see if you are eligible.
Minimum English language proficiency requirements
All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.
Credit transfer
If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, visit the University's credit website for more information on applying for credit.
Academic requirements for program completion
Total units required
320 units
Program duration
4 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 10 years maximum.
International students studying this program on campus are required to enrol full time to comply with their student visa requirements and complete their study in the standard minimum program duration. International students requiring enrolment advice should review the program plan corresponding to the semester and year of commencement and can contact their Program Advisor at ProgramAdvice@newcastle.edu.au
Program requirements
The Bachelor of Development Studies/Bachelor of Social Science requires students to complete a total of, but no more than, 320 units, comprised of the following:
- 140 units of Core courses
- One 80 unit Social Science major (see the Bachelor of Social Science Program Handbook for the list of majors, noting the below prohibitions in note 1)
- One 80 unit Development Studies major (see the Bachelor of Development Studies Program Handbook for the list of majors)
- 10 unit 1000 Level Bachelor of Development Studies Directed course
- 10 unit 2000/3000 Level Bachelor of Development Studies Directed course
Notes
1) Due to overlap in program content, students in the combined degree are NOT permitted to take the following Bachelor of Social Science majors:
- Global Indigenous Studies (previously named Aboriginal Studies)
- Human Geography and the Environment
- Politics and International Relations
- Sociology and Anthropology
2) Courses taken as the 1000 level or 2000/3000 level Bachelor of Development Studies directed courses cannot be counted towards the Bachelor of Development Studies major or the Bachelor of Social Science major.
3) Students must not complete more than 120 units at 1000 level and no more than 100 units at 2000 level.
4) Where courses are listed in more than one major, they may only count towards one of the student's chosen majors. Students cannot count a course towards two majors.
5) Students who wish to exit the combined degree and qualify for one award only will need to ensure that they meet the requirements of the single degree by checking the appropriate single degree handbook and contacting their Academic Program Advisor at programadvice@newcastle.edu.au.
Program plans
Download a program plan for further details on what you will study. Please refer to the program plan for the year that you commenced or transitioned into this program.
- 2017-2021 Semester 2 Program Plan 220.6 KB
- 2018-2021 Semester 1 Program Plan 232.1 KB
Transition arrangements
2021 Revision
From 2021 there are changes to the Bachelor of Development Studies and the Bachelor of Social Science. For students who commenced the program prior to 2021, please refer to the Bachelor of Development Studies Program Handbook and the Bachelor of Social Science Program Handbook for more information.
Program structure
Students are advised to read their program handbook information in conjunction with the program plans for course sequence/enrolment advice. Please refer to the Program Plan for the year that you commenced, or transitioned into, this program - Program Plans are available above.
Advanced course filters
Courses that are currently unavailable are hidden by default. You can show them by adjusting the advanced course filters above, or clicking the 'show all' links below each section.
Core Courses
Complete the following core courses. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABOR1110 | Introduction to Aboriginal Studies |
| 10 units |
| ECON1002 | Macroeconomics in the Global Economy |
| 10 units |
| ENVS1003 | Environmental Values and Ethics |
| 10 units |
| GEOG1030 | Global Poverty and Development |
| 10 units |
| SOCA1010 | Society and Culture: A Sociological Introduction |
| 10 units |
| SOCS1100 | Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences |
| 10 units |
| GEOG2130 | Geographies of Development |
| 10 units |
| SOCS2100 | Organisational Management and Social Behaviour |
| 10 units |
| SOCS2200 | Social Analysis: Key Perspectives in the Social Sciences |
| 10 units |
| SOCS2300 | Ethical Debates in the Social Sciences |
| 10 units |
| SOCS2400 | Applied Social Research |
| 10 units |
| GEOG3300 | Rethinking Development |
| 10 units |
| SOCS3100 | Policy Development, Program Management and Evaluation |
| 10 units |
| SOCS3200 | Applied Social Research Project |
| 10 units |
1000 Level Dev Studies Directed Courses
Complete 10 units from the following directed courses. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABOR1370 | Working with Aboriginal Communities |
| 10 units |
| ECON1001 | Microeconomics for Business Decisions |
| 10 units |
| ENVS1004 | Social Development and the Environment |
| 10 units |
| GEOG1020 | Introduction to Human Geography |
| 10 units |
| POLI1020 | Introduction to Politics |
| 10 units |
| SOCA1020 | What is Anthropology? |
| 10 units |
2000/3000 Level Dev Studies Directed Courses
Complete 10 units from the following directed courses. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABOR2244 | Reconciling Australia's Colonial Past and Present |
| 10 units |
| ENVS2002 | Environmental Legislation and Planning |
| 10 units |
| ENVS2008 | The Sustainable Society |
| 10 units |
| GEOG2080 | Cities and Regions |
| 10 units |
| POLI2001 | Ideas in Political Science |
| 10 units |
| POLI2200 | The Global Politics of Indigenous People | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| POLI2203 | International Political Economy and Global Development |
| 10 units |
| SOCA2400 | Future Societies: Beyond Capitalist Globalization |
| 10 units |
| SCIE3600 | International Study Experience |
| 10 units |
Honours
An Honours year is available to students as a separate program in the form of an additional year to those who meet the entry requirements.
For more information about the Bachelor of Development Studies (Honours) please see here.
For more information about the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) please see here.
Additional information
Through the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre, students can access a free suite of NUPrep preparation courses as well as Academic Learning Support.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.
The Psychology major is for students with a general interest in Psychology, and for those who see Psychology as complimentary to their studies in Social Science. It is not accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
International students
All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit our International Students website to find out more about the support services available to international students.
Additional support
AccessAbility provides advice and reasonable adjustments to Students with a medical or health condition or disability. If you require adjustments to undertake your program, contact the Student Support Advisors - AccessAbility before semester or early in the semester. They will work with the Faculty or School to ensure that this happens in a timely manner.
Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. More information is available online.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.