Study History
Curious about the past? Learn more about the History major within the Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Arts at UON.
Undergraduate degree
Bachelor of Social Science
Bachelor of Social Science
This degree is part of the Year 12 Subject Spotlight Early Offer Program
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Duration3 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 8 years maximum.3 years full-time.
Mode of deliveryFace to Face
Start datesSemester 1 (22 Feb 2021), Semester 2 (19 Jul 2021),
Semester 1 (22 Feb 2021), Semester 2 (19 Jul 2021),
Semester 1 (22 Feb 2021), Semester 2 (19 Jul 2021),
Semester 1 (22 Feb 2021), Semester 2 (19 Jul 2021),
FeesFind information about indicative course and program fees.AUD 29,990 (indicative annual fee, 2021)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about feesAUD 29,990 (indicative annual fee, 2021)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about feesAUD 29,990 (indicative annual fee, 2021)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
English proficiencyIELTS overall minimum - 6.0, IELTS section minimum - 6.0 Find out more about IELTS.
Program Code10716
Entry requirements
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.
Study social science
Make your mark on the world by crafting new solutions to various social challenges.
By studying our Bachelor of Social Science degree you will gain an empowering qualification that leads to rewarding careers in diverse fields. This degree will see you develop cultural sensitivity, ethical awareness and a solid understanding of the systems that define our world.
Social Science is the study of social relationships, structures and issues. Through core and elective courses, you will learn to analyse, challenge and gain insight into globally significant theories about gender, class, race, crime, illness and health, work, social justice and social organisation. You will also explore the exciting complexities of the human social experience and learn to apply the research methodologies of social science to the societies in which we exist.
Why study with us?
- Pursue what interests you. Choose a specialisation from 11 diverse social science majors to enrich your learning and employment options.
- Graduate work-ready through hands-on learning and the opportunity for a minimum of 80 hours work experience as part of your degree.
- We are global leaders in the area of Sociology - Top 150 in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020).
- Develop in-demand skills transferrable across industries like advanced social research techniques, high-level communication, problem-solving, socio-cultural awareness and teamwork.
- Work Integrated Learning – opportunity to gain real-world experience through industry placement opportunities and embedded authentic experiences throughout the program.
- Graduate with Honours – for one extra year of study at the end of your degree, you can refine your practical research skills and enhance your career prospects by completing the Honours program.
Over 90%
?
for overall satisfaction and skills scale
World top 150
?
for sociology
80 hours
of work experience
World top 200
?
for Linguistics
What you will study
The core courses available when you study a Social Science degree include:
- applied social research (including an applied social research project)
- 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
In addition to your core courses in social analysis and research, you have the opportunity to choose from 11 major areas of study to diversify your learning and career pathways. You can also undertake elective courses outside the Bachelor of Social Science.
Program plans
Download a program plan for further details on your degree's structure and what courses you will study.
These program plans are applicable to new students. Current students should refer to the program handbook to access the plan relevant to the year they commenced.
- 2013 - 2021 Semester 2 B Social Science 10716 Part-time Program Plan 126.8 KB
- 2013 - 2021 Semester 1 B Social Science 10716 Part-time Program Plan 103.7 KB
- 2013 - 2021 Semester 2 B Social Science 10716 Full-time Program Plan 190.1 KB
- 2013 - 2021 Semester 1 B Social Science 10716 Full-time Program Plan 177.8 KB
Additional documents
Career
Career opportunities
Careers stemming from this degree are broad and varied. You will work closely with our Careers Service to align your majors and courses to where you would like to specialise.
Whatever your preferred career path (eco-tourism, event management, human services, human resources, global health to name a few), you will graduate from the University of Newcastle with work-ready skills and transferable attributes that are attractive to employers.
Common areas of employment for Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) graduates include social research, management and policy work for government and non-government agencies.
You may also find work in the private sector, particularly in areas relating to your major. For instance graduates of the Community Welfare and Human Services major may find work with a variety of government and private welfare agencies.
Graduates majoring in Sociology and Anthropology can find employment in a variety of roles in many different types of organisations. The list below provides typical job titles for graduates from this major.
Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.
- Aboriginal Cultural Educational Officer
- Access and Equity Advisor
- Archaeological Excavator
- Community Development Worker
- Community Project Officer
- Community Services Worker
- Coordinator of Social Services
- Cultural Development Officer
- Cultural Heritage Officer
- Cultural Resource Manager
- Development Manager (International Aid)
- Disability Services Officer
- Electorate Officer
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Immigration Officer
- Media Planner
- Multicultural Community Liaison
- Parliamentarian/Member of Parliament/Politician
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Political Advisor
- Program Development Officer
- Project Worker
- Research Manager
- Research Officer
- Social Researcher
- Social Scientist
- Sociologist
- Support Worker
- University Lecturer/Academic
- Welfare Officer
- Youth Worker
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for graduates with the skills gained with a major in Sociology and Anthropology.
Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.
- Aged and Disability Officer
- Chaplain/Pastoral Care Worker
- Child Protection Officer
- Client Service Manager
- Commissioning Editor
- Counsellor
- Cultural Interpreter
- Demographer
- Disability Services Manager
- Economic/Social Statistician
- Editor
- Editorial Assistant
- Environmental Geographer
- Ethicist
- Exhibitions Officer
- Grants Officer
- Health Promotion Officer
- Industrial Relations Officer
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Legal Aid Lawyer
- Librarian
- Lifestyle Coordinator
- Linguistic Analyst
- Lobbyist
- Market Research Analyst
- Mediator
- Museum Visitor Services Coordinator
- Museum/Art Gallery Curator
- Narrator
- Native Title Consultant
- Office Administrator
- Planning Officer
- Police Officer
- Political Scientist
- Primatologist
- Residential Care Worker
- Trade Union Official
- Travel Writer
- Witness Assistance Officer
Graduates majoring in Psychology Studies can find employment in a variety of roles in many different types of organisations. The list below provides typical job titles for graduates from this major.
Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.
- Access and Equity Advisor
- Aged and Disability Officer
- Careers Counsellor
- Case Manager/Worker
- Community Development Worker
- Community Project Officer
- Community Services Worker
- Counsellor
- Disability Services Manager
- Disability Services Officer
- Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Health Promotion Officer
- Human Resources Officer
- Immigration Officer
- Learning and Development Consultant
- Lifestyle Coordinator
- Market Research Analyst
- Neuroscientist
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Recruitment Consultant
- Rehabilitation Consultant
- Research Scientist
- Residential Care Worker
- Scientific Writer
- Social Scientist
- Support Worker
- Training Officer
- University Lecturer/Academic
- Welfare Officer
- Witness Assistance Officer
- Youth Worker
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for graduates with the skills gained majoring in Psychology Studies.
Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.
- Child Protection Officer
- Customs Officer
- Human Resources Manager
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Legal Aid Lawyer
- Management Consultant
- Media Planner
- Mediator
- Medical Technician
- Office Administrator
- Play Therapist
- Player Development Manager
- Police Officer
- Primatologist
- Speech Pathologist
- Statistician
- Training and Development Manager
The following list provides some example jobs relevant to graduates majoring in Politics and International Relations. Some of these jobs may require further study, experience or a combination of both.
- Compliance Officer
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Governance Coordinator
- Historian
- Immigration Officer
- Industrial Relations Officer
- International Admissions Officer
- Lobbyist
- Multicultural Community Liaison
- Parliamentarian/Member of Parliament/Politician
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Political Advisor
- Political Scientist
- Research Officer
- Social Researcher
- Social Scientist
- Speechwriter
- Trade Union Official
- University Lecturer/Academic
Not all graduates will use their degree in the same way. The transferable skills gained through university study allow graduates to pursue a broader range of career pathways. The list below demonstrates some of the broader possibilities for Politics and International Relations graduates. Again, some of these jobs may require further study or experience.
- Access and Equity Advisor
- Archivist
- Broadcast Journalist
- Business Relationship Manager
- Campaign Manager
- Community Development Worker
- Community Liaison Officer
- Development Manager (International Aid)
- Editorial Assistant
- Foreign Correspondent
- Grants Officer
- Industrial Relations Lawyer
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Legal Aid Lawyer
- Management Consultant
- Mediator
- Migrant/Refugee Support Worker
- Office Administrator
- Project Worker
- Secondary Technology Teacher
- Writer
The following list provides some example jobs available to graduates majoring in Linguistics. Some of these jobs will depend on the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, the combination of other majors and electives studied, while some may require further study.
- Cryptographer / Cryptanalyst / Cryptologist / Decipherer
- Editor
- Editorial Assistant
- English As A Second Language Teacher (ESL Teacher)
- Linguist
- Linguistic Analyst
- Research Scientist
- Social Scientist
- Transcript Typist
- Translator
- University Lecturer/Academic
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for someone with the skills gained from a major in Linguistics.
- Audiologist
- Commissioning Editor
- Computational Linguist
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Instructional Designer
- Interpreter
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- Media Planner
- Migrant/Refugee Support Worker
- Multicultural Community Liaison
- Museum Visitor Services Coordinator
- Narrator
- Playwright
- Poet
- Speech Pathologist
- Support Worker
- Voice or Vocal Coach
The following list provides some example jobs relevant to graduates majoring in Leisure and Tourism Management. Some of these jobs may require further study, experience or a combination of both.
- Community Development Worker
- Community Project Officer
- Cultural Development Officer
- Cultural Heritage Officer
- Cultural Interpreter
- Cultural Resource Manager
- Entrepreneur
- Executive Manager
- Lifestyle Coordinator
- Managing Director/ General Manager
- Media Planner
- Museum Visitor Services Coordinator
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Social Scientist
- Sports Administrator
- Tourism Manager
- Tourist Information Officer
- Travel Writer
Not all graduates will use their degree in the same way. The transferable skills gained through university study allow graduates to pursue a broader range of career pathways. The list below demonstrates some of the broader possibilities for Leisure and Tourism Management graduates. Again, some of these jobs may require further study or experience.
- Business Relationship Manager
- International Admissions Officer
- International Aid/Development Worker
- International Exchange Coordinator
- Journalist
- Market Research Analyst
- Project Manager
- Sports Development Officer
- Tour Guide
The following list provides some examples of job titles that may be suitable for a graduate majoring in Human Services. Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study.
- Access and Equity Advisor
- Aged and Disability Officer
- Case Manager/Worker
- Child Protection Officer
- Community Arts Worker
- Community Development Worker
- Community Liaison Officer
- Community Project Officer
- Community Services Worker
- Coordinator of Social Services
- Counsellor
- Development Manager (International Aid)
- Disability Services Manager
- Disability Services Officer
- Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- Grants Officer
- Immigration Officer
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Program Development Officer
- Project Worker
- Residential Care Worker
- Social Researcher
- Social Scientist
- Support Worker
- University Lecturer/Academic
- VET Teacher
- Welfare Officer
- Witness Assistance Officer
- Youth Worker
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for someone with the skills gained from a major in Human Services.
- Chaplain/Pastoral Care Worker
- Client Service Manager
- Customs Officer
- Ethicist
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Legal Aid Lawyer
- Lifestyle Coordinator
- Migrant/Refugee Support Worker
- Planning Officer
- Police Officer
- Political Advisor
The following list provides some example jobs available to graduates majoring in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations. Some of these jobs will depend on the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, the combination of other majors and electives studied, while some may require further study.
- Access and Equity Advisor
- Human Resources Manager
- Human Resources Officer
- Industrial Relations Officer
- Learning and Development Consultant
- Organisational Development Manager
- Payroll Supervisor
- Political Advisor
- Resource and Regulatory Compliance Manager
- Trade Union Official
- Training and Development Manager
- Training Officer
- University Lecturer/Academic
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for someone with the skills gained with a major in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations.
- Management Consultant
- Work Health and Safety Officer
The following list provides some example jobs available to graduates majoring in Human Geography and the Environment. Some of these jobs will depend on the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, the combination of other majors and electives studied, while some may require further study.
- Community Development Worker
- Community Project Officer
- Community Services Worker
- Coordinator of Social Services
- Cultural Heritage Officer
- Cultural Resource Manager
- Demographer
- Development Manager (International Aid)
- Environmental Geographer
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Immigration Officer
- Native Title Consultant
- Park Ranger
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Program Development Officer
- Project Manager
- Project Worker
- Social Researcher
- Transport Geographer
- University Lecturer/Academic
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for someone with the skills gained during the Human Geography and the Environment major.
- Access and Equity Advisor
- Climate Change Analysts
- Cultural Development Officer
- Cultural Interpreter
- Electorate Officer
- Ethicist
- Grants Officer
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Lawyer
- Market Research Analyst
- Police Officer
- Political Advisor
- Real Estate Appraiser and Researcher
- Tour Guide
- Tourist Information Officer
- Travel Writer
- Urban Designer
- Youth Worker
The following list provides some example jobs available to graduates majoring in History. Some of these jobs will depend on the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, the combination of other majors and electives studied, while some may require further study.
- Archivist
- Cultural Heritage Officer
- Cultural Interpreter
- Cultural Resource Manager
- Editor
- Editorial Assistant
- Exhibitions Officer
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Historian
- History Teacher
- Museum/Art Gallery Curator
- Publications Officer/Editor
- Social Scientist
- Speechwriter
- University Lecturer/Academic
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for someone with the skills gained from a major in History.
- Architectural Historian
- Commissioning Editor
- Court Officer
- Ethicist
- Foreign Correspondent
- Industrial Relations Officer
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- Media Presenter
- Museum Visitor Services Coordinator
- Narrator
- Office Administrator
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Political Scientist
- Social Researcher
- Tour Guide
- Trade Union Official
The following list provides some example job titles that may be available to graduates with a major in Aboriginal Studies. Some of these jobs will depend on the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, the combination of other majors and electives studied, while some may require further study.
- Aboriginal Cultural Educational Officer
- Aged and Disability Officer
- Arts Administrator
- Community Arts Worker
- Community Development Worker
- Community Liaison Officer
- Community Project Officer
- Community Services Worker
- Cultural Development Officer
- Cultural Heritage Officer
- Cultural Resource Manager
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Immigration Officer
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Multicultural Community Liaison
- Museum/Art Gallery Curator
- Native Title Consultant
- Park Ranger
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Social Researcher
- Social Scientist
- Tourism Manager
- University Lecturer/Academic
- Welfare Officer
- Youth Worker
Not everyone uses their degree in the same way and the transferable skills gained through university study may allow graduates to pursue a range of careers that might not be directly linked to their study. Below is a sample list of job titles that might be suitable for someone with the skills gained from a major in Aboriginal Studies.
- Archivist
- Art Dealer
- Child Protection Officer
- Counsellor
- Cultural Interpreter
- Ethicist
- Exhibitions Officer
- Health Promotion Officer
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Legal Aid Lawyer
- Librarian
- Linguistic Analyst
- Media Planner
- Media Presenter
- Mediator
- Migrant/Refugee Support Worker
- Museum Visitor Services Coordinator
- Narrator
- Office Administrator
- Political Advisor
- Program Development Officer
- Project Worker
- Tour Guide
- Tourist Information Officer
Graduates majoring in Criminology can find employment in a variety of roles in many different types of organisations. The list below provides typical job titles for graduates from this major.
Some of these jobs will depend upon the amount and level of study undertaken, level of experience, and the combination of other majors and electives studied, for example some may require further study
- Criminologist
- University Lecturer/Academic
- Researcher
- Police Officer
- Member of the AFP
- Border Protection Officer
- Victim Support Officer
- Juvenile Justice Officer
- Aged and Disability Officer
- Child Protection Officer
- Client Service Manager
- Correctional Services Officer
- Community Corrections Officer
- Coordinator of Social Services
- Immigration Officer
- Media Planner
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Project Worker
- Research Manager
- Research officer
- Journalist
- Writer
Practical experience
80 hour work placement program
In your third year of study, you can choose to take part in a work placement program. With supervision, you will locate and undertake an 80-hour work placement with organisations involved in social research, education or community service. This direct experience will provide invaluable exposure to researchers and managers.
Experience
Study Politics and International Relations
Explore global power relationships and expand your knowledge of the world. Study a Politics and International Relations major within the Bachelor of Social Science at UON.
Study Sociology and Anthropology
Learn about how we construct meaning in our lives or how different societies and people function - from gender and social class through to politics. Find out about our Sociology and Anthropology major within the Bachelor of Social Science at UON.
Study with us
Hear from our students
Listen to our students talk about their degree and life at the University of Newcastle.
How to apply
Applying for Bachelor of Social Science
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Let's just check you are eligible
Pick your situation from the list below for more information.
If you are an international student, read the information below before completing an application.
As someone who recently completed secondary education, either at high school, TAFE or another VET provider, you will generally be considered for entry based on your Selection Rank (SR). Some degrees have additional entry requirements such as auditions or interviews and where required you will find these listed on the relevant degree page.
Try to choose what you are most interested in and then research some back up options with lower Selection Ranks (SR) to put as your later choices. A good tip is to look at degrees that may have similar first year subjects. This will help you reduce your overall study time if you want to apply to transfer to your degree of choice after the first year. We also recommend choosing one of our free pathway programs as a backup option as your fifth preference on your UAC application. Selection Ranks (SR) requirements for our degrees do change from year to year so only use the Selection Rank (SR) as a guide.
You should start planning your way into uni from Year 10 onwards. Think about:
- Using our study areas to narrow down study options based on what you are interested in
- Come and speak to us at events like Open Day, Schools Visit Day and campus tours
- Check the Assumed Knowledge and Recommended Studies of the degrees you are interested in
- If you are a high performer you can get a head start by completing some uni subjects while still at school
- Sign up to our mailing list for regular updates
- Have a look at adjustment points and other entry schemes that may give you an extra boost
- Decide on some back up options like Newstep and other entry pathways if you don't get the required marks
- See our Application FAQs .
- Have questions? Ask a student. We know you must have heaps of questions about university life – what’s needed to get into your degree, where to go for support, what on-campus accommodation is available and of course, where to find the best coffee. Jump on our website to chat to one of our Student Ambassadors.
Secondary results don’t have a use-by date, so even if you completed high school 20 years ago, these results may be used to apply to the University of Newcastle. You can use your ATAR or equivalent (UAI, TER etc) to apply irrespective of when you completed Year 12.
It can be complicated to calculate your Selection Rank (SR) based on high school results prior to the introduction of the ATAR in 2009. Contact us at 1300 275 866 and let us do the calculating for you.
If you don’t think you will meet the Selection Rank (SR) for admission there are other options to get in depending on your situation:
- Open Foundation
Complete this one year or six-month program to get a new mark for entry. - Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Admission Scheme
Get entry help by identifying you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. - Elite Athlete Program
Get adjustment points and support by applying as an elite athlete. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
Complete this test for a mark for entry into some of our degrees.
For advice on these other options please contact us by calling 1300 275 866.
If you studied vocational education and training, the type of qualification, whether or not you completed it, and if it was graded or competency-based will all be taken into consideration to assess your eligibility for admission. TAFE and private providers, as well as some universities, typically offer Certificate III, IV and Diploma Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) awards. Some also offer Advanced Diploma and Associate Degrees.
For admission purposes, and to ensure fairness and transparency among applicants with different types of qualifications, all assessable qualifications are converted to a selection rank. Selection ranks from different individual qualifications are not combined or added together to form a rank. The highest of the two numbers will be the one used to assess your eligibility for admission. Different selection ranks are assigned to VET courses with graded assessment and competency based (ungraded) assessment. The tables below provide information on how to assess your selection rank based on your AQF qualification.
TAFE Guaranteed Entry
Many of our students come to us after completing TAFE studies. You can gain guaranteed entry into many of our 2021 undergraduate programs if you have previously completed an accredited Certificate IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma at TAFE or another registered training organisation (RTO).
Complete Graded AQF Diploma or AQF Advanced Diploma
| Grade Point Average | Rank - AQF Diploma | Rank - AQF Advanced Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 95 | 96.95 |
| 6.25-6.49 | 93 | 95.25 |
| 6.00-6.24 | 90 | 93 |
| 5.75-5.99 | 88 | 91 |
| 5.50-5.74 | 86 | 89 |
| 5.25-5.49 | 83 | 86 |
| 5.00-5.24 | 81 | 83 |
| 4.75-4.99 | 78 | 80 |
| 4.00-4.74 | 75 | 76 |
Complete and Incomplete Ungraded AQF Diploma or AQF Advanced Diploma
| Rank - AQF Advanced Diploma | Rank - AQF Diploma |
|---|---|
| 76 | 75 |
Complete Graded AQF Certificate III or AQF Certificate IV
Please note: Certificate III qualifications and below are not accepted for the Bachelor of Nursing program.
| Grade Point Average | Rank - AQF Certificate III | Rank - AQF Certificate IV |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 78 | 90 |
| 6.25-6.49 | 78 | 88 |
| 6.00-6.24 | 77 | 86 |
| 5.75-5.99 | 76 | 84 |
| 5.50-5.74 | 75 | 82 |
| 5.25-5.49 | 73 | 80 |
| 5.00-5.24 | 71 | 78 |
| 4.75-4.99 | 69 | 75 |
| 4.00-4.74 | 67 | 73 |
Complete Ungraded AQF Certificate III and AQF Certificate IV
| Rank - AQF Certificate III | Rank - AQF Certificate IV |
|---|---|
| 67 | 73 |
Note: Incomplete VET studies must be AQF Diploma level or above and more than 0.2 of a full time student (FTE) to be considered for admission.
It is probably best to contact our Enquiry Centre on 1300 275 866 to discuss your qualifications and grades. Our team are happy to advise you on your options.
Your previous qualifications may also make you eligible for credit to your degree. This will cut down on your study time. You can apply for credit before you start. See our credit page for more information.
If you don’t think you will meet the requirements for admission there are other options to get in depending on your situation:
- Open Foundation
Complete this one year or six-month program to get a new mark for entry. - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Scheme
Get entry help by identifying you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. - Educational Access Scheme
Get up to four points if you have experienced educational or other disadvantage. - Elite Athlete Program
Get adjustment points and support by applying as an elite athlete. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
Complete this test for a mark for entry into some of our degrees.
If you completed higher education or partial higher education studies your grade point average (GPA) (or Grade Average as a percentage for pathway programs like Newstep, Open Foundation or Yapug) can be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes. To ensure fairness and transparency among applicants with different types of qualifications, all assessable qualifications are converted to a selection rank. The selection rank from this qualification is not added to your ATAR. The highest of the two numbers will be the one used to assess your eligibility for admission.
If you have completed a degree and want to move onto postgraduate study please see our Postgraduate website.
Bachelor degree studies
| Min GPA (>0.5FTE*) | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 97.30 |
| 6 | 93.40 |
| 5 | 86.30 |
| 4 | 77.65 |
| 3 | 67.25 |
*Your GPA can only be calculated if you have completed at least 20 units of study. A full-time study (FTE) load is usually 80 units per year.
Completed pathway (also known as enabling or tertiary preparation) programs
| Overall Grade Average | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| >97 | 99.55 |
| 80 | 84 |
| 70 | 77 |
| 60 | 70 |
| 50 | 65 |
If you are currently studying a degree at the University of Newcastle and want to transfer across to another degree, please see our Internal Transfers page for current students for more information.
If you have completed or are soon to complete an Enabling Pathways program (Newstep, Open Foundation, or Yapug) you can apply with us directly for free for most degrees. Please visit the Your Next Move website for more information.
If you want to transfer or complete a tertiary preparation program at another university you will need to apply through UAC. Please contact our Enquiry Centre 1300 275 866 for information and advice.
If you think you may be eligible for credit please visit our credit section.
If you’re applying on the basis of overseas secondary qualifications, there are some that are considered as equivalent to an Australian Year 12 qualification. Note that equivalence of qualifications alone does not guarantee entry into programs. For admission purposes, and to ensure fairness and transparency among applicants with different types of qualifications, your overseas qualification will be converted to a selection rank so you can be compared to other applicants.
For advice on your options please contact us by calling 1300 275 866 or visit AskUON.
If you haven’t completed any formal secondary, VET or higher education studies we offer a range of options to get you on the pathway to your dream degree. Our recommended pathways are:
Pathway programs (Newstep, Open Foundation and Yapug)
The University of Newcastle is the largest provider of pathway programs in Australia. If you haven’t studied for a while, or your high school results weren’t what you expected, you can start at university with one of our pathway programs. Our pathway programs offer guaranteed entry to over 40+ University of Newcastle degrees. When you complete this program your Grade Point Average as a percentage can be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes. The programs on offer are:
- Newstep
If you are aged 18-20 you can get a second chance for entry by completing our one year Newstep program. We recommend putting this as your fifth UAC preference, or you can apply to us directly. - Open Foundation
Completing our Open Foundation pathway program will award you a new rank to apply to uni. Finish Open Foundation in just a single semester or take your time - up to 2 years. Flexible study supports you to learn at your own pace, including online, part-time or full-time options. - Yapug
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student you could complete our one year Yapug pathway program.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test or STAT is an aptitude test, organised through the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), that assesses a range of competencies considered important for successful tertiary study. If you are over 18 and not a current Year 12 student, results from the STAT multiple-choice test can be used for entry into some (but not all) of the degrees offered at the University of Newcastle. Make sure you look into which degrees accept STAT for entry.
If your qualification is not listed and you are unsure whether you can use it to gain entry please contact us on 1300 275 866 or AskUON.
If your qualification is not listed and you are unsure whether you can use it to gain entry please contact us on 1300 275 866 or AskUON.
Non-Award Admission
If you want to do one or two subjects at the University of Newcastle but not a full degree you can apply for non-award admission. You may want to do this for preliminary work for a higher degree, professional requirements or because of an interest in the area.
Find out more and apply by visiting Non-Award Admission.
Cross-Institutional Study
If you are currently at another university and want to do one or more subjects at the University of Newcastle for credit you can apply for Cross-Institutional Study.
Find out more and apply by visiting Cross-Institutional Study.
If you have more than one of the qualifications listed above they may all count towards your application. We are always happy to provide advice and discuss your circumstances so please contact us by calling 1300 275 866 or by submitting a question using AskUON. Otherwise check out our application FAQ.
Senior secondary school qualification
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. To check if your qualification is recognised for direct entry into the University of Newcastle, please refer to the entry requirement tables below.
International Undergraduate Admission Requirements - Asia
International Undergraduate Admission Requirements - Rest of World
International Undergraduate Admission Requirements - South Asia
Post-secondary study
Further education like diplomas and university study can also be assessed for admission.
Additional requirements
Some of our programs have additional requirements like an audition, or portfolio.
Applicants who do not speak English as a first language 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.
The Australian Government operates a student visa program that enables people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to undertake study in Australia. A person who wants to undertake a course of study under the student visa programme must obtain a student visa before they can commence a course of study in Australia. A successful applicant must be both a genuine temporary entrant and a genuine student.
An applicant who is a genuine temporary entrant will have circumstances that support a genuine intention to temporarily enter and remain in Australia, notwithstanding the potential for this intention to change over time to an intention to utilise lawful means to remain in Australia for an extended period of time or permanently. All Australian education providers must have strategies and arrangements in place to ensure that all students and prospective students meet the requirements with Direction 69 as a condition of admission to the institution.
When your application for admission is received, the University of Newcastle will assess this against university entrance requirements including: minimum age, English and academic entry requirements. To comply with Australian law your application will also be assessed to check that you are genuinely seeking temporary entry to Australia to study. You may be asked to provide the University of Newcastle with evidence addressing Ministerial Direction 69 as part of finalising your admission. If the University forms the opinion that you are not a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) it may refuse to assess your application, withdraw an offer of a place, or cancel your confirmation of enrolment.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection in Australia will also assess each application for a student visa (subclass 500) against the applicant’s intention to stay temporarily in Australia as a genuine student. The criteria for this assessment are outlined in Ministerial Direction 69. Applicants that don’t satisfy the criteria under Direction 69 will not be granted a student visa.
For more information, please refer to the following areas of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website:
Other things to consider
Make sure you double check the special entry requirements, assumed knowledge or recommended studies for the degree:
Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Admission information for Australian students and residents is available here. Admission information for international is available here. During the admission process adjustment factors may be applied to your Selection Rank. Please visit our website to see if you are eligible.
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.
HSC English (Advanced) or equivalent. For Psychology Studies major: HSC Mathematics or equivalent.
You can look at NUPrep for options to brush up on knowledge before you start.
You should also think about degree add-ons like combined options or a Diploma in Languages. If you would like to learn an additional language alongside your main bachelor degree, then this program is for you. Languages offered include: Australian Sign Language (Auslan), Chinese, French, German and Japanese.
Ok, great, let's go!
Apply to study this degree through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
You can select up to five preferences in your UAC application, so have a look around and select some back-up options. Put the degree you are most interested in first.
Apply to study in Australia
Both students and education agents can submit applications online. This is our preferred way of application. You can save your application after you have started, and come back to it later.
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.