Bachelor of Social Science

Why study the Bachelor of Social Science at UNE?

You'll analyse contemporary social issues and challenges, and develop the skills, knowledge and capacity to make a real difference in the world with a Bachelor of Social Science from UNE. With a focus on social justice and human rights, social change, gender equality, community welfare, sustainability and cultural diversity, choose from 11 social science majors in a flexible course structure, including opportunities for on-the-job training. You'll develop vocational and scholarly skills, and learn how to conduct social research using a range of methods, techniques and technologies from world class social researchers.

Students majoring in Psychology will graduate with a 3-year sequence in Psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Psychology graduates are also eligible to apply, if they meet the admission standards, for entry into the fourth year Psychology program via the Bachelor of Social Science with Honours, also accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Graduates who have successfully completed the Bachelor of Social Science may be eligible to apply for Honours if they meet the admission standards. The Honours program shall include advanced coursework and a dissertation.

Career Opportunities

The analytical and research skills of Social Science graduates, along with their capacity to understand and unpack complex social problems and offer innovative solutions, ensure they are well placed for positions in a wide range of public and private sector organisations including: federal, state and local government departments and agencies, including family, community and health services; market and social research; non-governmental organisations including aid agencies and advocacy groups; human resource management; counselling; teaching; journalism; and, academic research.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

3 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2017 ATAR / OP

72.55 / 12

2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Online

Official Abbreviation BSocSc
Course Type Undergraduate
CRICOS Code 016050C
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 3 Online
Course Duration
  • 3 Years Full-time
  • Up to 10 years Part-time
2017 ATAR 72.55
2017 OP 12
Fees CSP / International
Total Credit Points 144
Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Assumed knowledge is any two units of English.

Recommended studies are any two units of Mathematics.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Scholarships

The University offers a number of Faculty/College and country scholarships available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Academic Colours

Old Rose (BCC 157)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Social Science in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) three years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level and at least 36 credit points at 300-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 42 cps
One Approved Major 48 cps
Elective Units 54 cps
Total 144 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Aboriginal Perspectives
Criminology
Health Management
Linguistics
Organisational Management
Peace and Developmental Studies
Political and International Studies
Psychology
Social Philosophy
Sociology
Urban and Regional Studies

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Social Science.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

The course aims to provide a thorough grounding in the social sciences through a combination of a core set of units stressing methodological, theoretical, policy and vocational skills aspects of the area and through a choice from a wide range of majors specialising in particular areas of the social sciences.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. apply quantitative research techniques to real-world empirical data through statistical analysis and/or survey methodology and will judge the suitability of given methods to given applications;
  2. apply qualitative research techniques to real-world empirical data through a grounding in a range of qualitative methods and will judge the suitabiity of given methods to given applications;
  3. research and present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas concerning the social world from the points of view of both either the individual and/or the group;
  4. display the more specific skills characteristic of particular majors, such as the ability to analyse and demonstrate an understanding of Aboriginal, business, development, health, marketing, political, psychological, security and social issues; and
  5. apply advanced writing skills and communicate findings in an appropriate form to diverse audiences.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Graduates will possess a demonstrable knowledge of research methods common to a range of social science disciplines, and will be able to prove a clear in-depth knowledge of the theoretical, methodological and empirical content and appropriate practices of two discipline areas. This knowledge will be taught in lectures, unit materials and online activities and will be assessed throughout the degree through a range of different activities. Graduates will be made aware of the intrinsic global nature of most social science disciplines as they are taught that the more abstract thinking and methodological skills are portable across many countries and cultures and that the fundamental ideas and approaches of social science have emerged through contributions from many areas across the globe. Individual disciplines put different levels of stress on the balance between knowledge of local and trans-local social formations as appropriate to their concerns and graduates will be assessed partly on how they can demonstrate understanding of local and global specificities in the context of their work.

Communication Skills

Graduates are trained to communicate in workplace situations through units devoted to developing skills in writing and public presentation, and will be able to articulate complex theoretical arguments through specific training in units on thinking and theory. They will have high-level skills in communicating research results in the contexts of their specialised disciplines. These skills will be taught and practised in lectures, tutorials and online activities. Students will recognise the importance of continuing to develop their oral, visual, and written communication skills, and to be able to use appropriate communication technologies.

Problem Solving

Graduates will be taught how to apply logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of discipline-specific problems and how to choose the appropriate research method for the problem at hand. They will be able to conceptualise problems at a high level of abstraction through training in theoretical thinking. They will be assessed on their ability to understand assignment tasks and to integrate relevant theory and literature into their own analysis.

Information Literacy

Graduates will be taught how to recognise relevant information and to use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access and use information. Through assessment tasks, they will learn how to critically evaluate the sources, values and validity of information, and to use information in critical and creative thinking.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Graduates will be taught to be directly familiar with the ethical issues involved in research and will be able to apply reasoning on these issues in concrete situations they may encounter in their working lives. Attention to issues such as inequality and social justice are embedded in the concerns of a number of individual majors. Assessment tasks ensure that these skills are attained at a suitable level.

Lifelong Learning

The methodological and conceptualising skills graduates will possess particularly through training in the core units are highly transportable across space and time and may be ongoingly practised and perfected in work and personal situations long after graduates have left formal education. Assessment tasks ensure that these skills are attained at a suitable level.

Independence and Collaboration

The development of collaboration and group participation skills will be developed through on-campus and online interactive teaching. Graduates will learn the importance of participating in discussions in a professional, respectful and ethical manner.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International

For more information, click here

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