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Overview

This program is for students commencing from 2019. Students commencing prior to 2019 should refer to the program rules for the year in which they started. The Bachelor of Social Research and Policy (UNSW BSRP) degree combines a core program of skills in policy analysis and research methods with in-depth … For more content click the Read More button below. A Bachelor of Social Research and Policy degree offers the opportunity to pursue knowledge in the social research and policy while developing technical and professional skills to apply this knowledge to issues in the real world. Its objectives are: to develop your capacity to critically evaluate ideas and policy problems, andto undertake social research in order to contribute to enlightened policy-making. Skills developed include written communication skills with particular emphasis on reports, submissions, position papers and proposals; the ability to undertake research and data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative; analysis and critical evaluation of research, arguments and policies; and technologies involved in social research and information processing. The internship experience promotes development of excellence in professional practice. If you study in either the single or dual mode, you will complete: a social research and policy core of 54 UOC (nine courses)a social research and policy prescribed elective of 6 UOC (one course)a major stream of 60 UOC (ten courses) selected from the list of UNSW BSRP approved home and external major streams. If you study in single mode, you will also complete: 12 UOC of Free Electives (two courses)12 UOC of General Education (two courses)

This program is for students commencing from 2019.

Students commencing prior to 2019 should refer to the program rules for the year in which they started.

The Bachelor of Social Research and Policy (UNSW BSRP) degree combines a core program of skills in policy analysis and research methods with in-depth study in one or more social science disciplines. The degree requires one major stream of study in an approved social science discipline and a minimum level of electives. You will have the opportunity to further develop your professional and workplace skills through an internship and career-orientated focus. The UNSW BSRP can be completed full-time in Single mode (normally 3 years), in Dual mode (the equivalent of 2.5 years full-time study) or part-time. The BSRP has a depth component and a breadth component. If you are enrolled in Single mode you will do both the depth and breadth component. If you are enrolled in Dual mode you will only complete the depth component.

A Bachelor of Social Research and Policy degree offers the opportunity to pursue knowledge in the social research and policy while developing technical and professional skills to apply this knowledge to issues in the real world. Its objectives are:

to develop your capacity to critically evaluate ideas and policy problems, and
to undertake social research in order to contribute to enlightened policy-making.

Skills developed include written communication skills with particular emphasis on reports, submissions, position papers and proposals; the ability to undertake research and data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative; analysis and critical evaluation of research, arguments and policies; and technologies involved in social research and information processing. The internship experience promotes development of excellence in professional practice.

If you study in either the single or dual mode, you will complete:

a social research and policy core of 54 UOC (nine courses)
a social research and policy prescribed elective of 6 UOC (one course)
a major stream of 60 UOC (ten courses) selected from the list of UNSW BSRP approved home and external major streams.

If you study in single mode, you will also complete:

12 UOC of Free Electives (two courses)
12 UOC of General Education (two courses)

Program Structure

Students must complete 144 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Core Social Research and Policy courses (54 UOC)
Prescribed Social Research and Policy elective (6 UOC)
One major specialisation (60 UOC) from the approved list
Free electives (12 UOC)
General Education (12 UOC)

Disciplinary Component120 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 120 UOC of the following to satisfy the core requirements of this degree

Major specialisations

Students complete 60 UOC from any of the Internal or *External majors below. Students must declare their major at the time of enrolment into Level 2.

Note on external majors
*Human Resource Management, *International Business, and *Marketing: Students who choose any of these majors are required to complete 12 UOC of Prescribed Arts and Social Sciences Electives.

Environmental Humanities

IBUSA1

48 UOC

International Business

Media, Culture and Technology

MGMTH1

48 UOC

Human Resource Management

POLSG1

60 UOC

Politics and International Relations

SOCAD1

60 UOC

Sociology and Anthropology

Level 1 Core Courses12 Units of Credit:

Level 2 Core Courses18 Units of Credit:

Level 3 Core Courses24 Units of Credit:

Social Research & Policy Prescribed Elective6 Units of Credit:

Maturity Requirements

Free Electives12 Units of Credit:

General Education12 Units of Credit:

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

UNSW Arts & Social Sciences

Program Requirements

Participation and Enrolment Requirements

Criminal records check

National Criminal Record Checks are handled on a case-by-case basis as they are only required of the students on placement when requested by agencies.

A National Criminal Record Check is valid for three years. You must undergo a National Criminal Record Check and provide an original copy of the Check results to the Work Integrated Learning Unit. The result of a Working With Children Check is either that there are 'no disclosable outcomes', or that there are 'disclosable outcomes' which are then detailed in the certificate. If you have a disclosable outcome(s) on your criminal record check you will need to undergo a risk assessment. Please contact the Work Integrated Learning Unit for further information about this.

All placement students are subject to ongoing monitoring and must disclose new 'disclosable outcomes' to the Work Integrated Learning Unit. Some agencies (e.g NSW Health) only accept National Criminal Record Checks obtained through specific accredited agencies.

Working with Children Check

Working with Children Checks are handled on a case-by-case basis as they are only required of the students on placement when requested by agencies.

The Working With Children Check is valid for five years. It is a requirement for all students and is specifically designed for people who work or volunteer in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and a review of findings of workplace misconduct. The result of a Working With Children Check is either a clearance to work with children for five years, or a bar against working with children. Cleared applicants are subject to ongoing monitoring and relevant new records may lead to the clearance being revoked. The Working With Children Check is fully portable so it can be used for any paid or unpaid child-related work in NSW for as long as the worker remains cleared.

You can apply for their Working With Children Check (WWCC) number on the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian website. To be eligible for a WWCC you will have to show proof of identity to a NSW Motor Registry or Council Agency. For more information you may access the online tutorials and fact sheets at https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check.

Compulsory Training Component

Students must complete SRAP3006 Social Research and Policy in the Workplace as a core course in this program.

Aligned with UNSW's emphasis on work integrated learning, this course is a structured and supported vocational placement designed to give students an understanding of organisational contexts of policy, through work experience that uses and develops the skills gained in their studies.

The course has two options:

Option A: Individual work placements
Students who have achieved a distinction level or better (>75) WAM across all their courses will always qualify for a vocational placement; other students will be considered on merit and aptitude. The placement provides work at a host organisation for 14 full days (105 hours). The spread of work will be agreed between the organisation, the student, and the course convenor.

Option B: Work-based policy/research group
Any student can apply for this option. The work experience will be organised as a group, supervised by the course convenor, in conjunction with an organisation outside UNSW or with a unit at UNSW.

Progression Requirements

Progression rules are in accordance to university policy.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

Bachelor of Art Theory - BAT
Bachelor of Social Research and Policy - BSRP4815 - Art Theory / Social Research and Policy

Postgraduate Pathway

Master of Public Policy and Governance - MPPG8259 - Public Policy & Governance

Honours Pathway

Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences (Honours) - BASS (Hons)4504 - Arts & Social Sciences (Hons)

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Research officer, policy analyst, political adviser, project officer, private consultant, research consultant in the areas of program management, community development, international health management, environment, disability, advocacy and innovations, organisational management, marketing, market research, corporate affairs management.

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal

Award of Pass with Distinction

The Award of Pass with Distinction is awarded when a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 75% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award Pass with Distinction except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

For more information, please visit:

Current Students Pass With Distinction

Additional Information

Further Information

Contact the UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Student Services for advice.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students

Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)

International Students

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Social Research and Policy

3420

144 Units of Credit

Overview

Program Structure

Enrolment Disclaimer

Sample Programs

Program Requirements

Participation and Enrolment Requirements

Compulsory Training Component

Progression Requirements

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

Postgraduate Pathway

Honours Pathway

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Recognition of Achievement

Additional Information

Program Fees

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions