Handbook

Overview

This program is for students commencing from 2023. The Bachelor of Social Sciences will build your capacity to contribute to real-world and impactful social, political and cultural change. You will focus on contemporary global and local challenges and issues taught by our world-class academics, utilising new and digital technologies providing … For more content click the Read More button below.

This program is for students commencing from 2023.

The Bachelor of Social Sciences will build your capacity to contribute to real-world and impactful social, political and cultural change. You will focus on contemporary global and local challenges and issues taught by our world-class academics, utilising new and digital technologies providing an effective, flexible and rich educational experiences for all students. Our degree structure allows you to combine in-depth disciplinary knowledge in one or more social science disciplines with specialities in policy making in national and international arenas, and skills to identify and use evidence for practice and policy. This degree develops professional skills in communication, analysis, ethical decision making and teamwork and you will demonstrate these skills in our outstanding work-integrated learning and exchange options with industry partners. The Bachelor of Social Sciences ensures you are employment ready graduates of choice within Australia and globally.

Learning Outcomes

Apply in-depth disciplinary and conceptual knowledge within an interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary context.

Scholars

Recognise and respect cultural and social diversity, and the relevance of race, gender and intersectionalities, including First Nations perspectives.

Global citizens
Professionals

Practise ethical judgement to contribute to local, First Nations and international communities in socially and professionally responsible ways.

Professionals
Global citizens

Critically employ research methods to locate and evaluate diverse forms of evidence, with an understanding of the historical, cultural, social and political contexts that produced it.

Scholars

Apply high-level skills in critical analysis and problem solving to link theory to social, political, environmental and cultural issues.

Scholars

Engage meaningfully with policy issues and debates within organisations, communities, and societies.

Leaders

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, using a variety of media, for diverse audiences and purposes.

Leaders

Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills, with the capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively.

Professionals
Leaders

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

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

Disciplinary Component96 Units of Credit:

Specialisation Requirement48 Units of Credit:

You must complete one of the 48 UOC majors below.

Environmental Humanities

International Business

INSTC1

48 UOC

International Studies

Media, Culture and Technology

MGMTH1

48 UOC

Human Resource Management

MGMTJ1

48 UOC

Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship

POLSG1

48 UOC

Politics and International Relations

SOCAE1

48 UOC

Sociology

Level 112 Units of Credit:

Level 218 Units of Credit:

Level 318 Units of Credit:

Free Electives36 Units of Credit:

General Education12 Units of Credit:

You must complete 12 UOC of General Education courses. General Education courses for this program are any that do not contain the subject area: ARTS, SOSS.

This requirement is met if you complete an external major or minor.

Indigenous Studies courses (ATSIxxxx) can be studied as General Education only if you are not completing a major or minor in Indigenous Studies.

any General Education course

Optional Minors

If you are enrolled in the standalone program you may use your Free Elective courses to complete one of the optional minors listed below.

If you intend to take an optional minor you are encouraged to declare the minor as soon as possible.

Please note: courses completed as part of your disciplinary component cannot be double counted towards your minor.

Social Sciences Minors

Language Minors

The language minors below will complement your studies.

Advanced Chinese Studies

Advanced French Studies

Advanced Japanese Studies

Advanced Korean Studies

SPANI2

36 UOC

Spanish Studies

Other Minors

The below optional minors are also available.

ARTHB2

36 UOC

Art History and Theory

Animation and Moving Image

Textiles and Fashion Design

Communication and Journalism

MDIAR2

36 UOC

Public Relations and Advertising

Theatre and Performance Studies

Language Recommendation

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, Design & Architecture

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.

Internship, Placement and Exchange Opportunities

Students are encouraged to take the internship and work integrated learning opportunities available in their program.

We strongly encourage students to explore the diverse range of in-person and virtual exchanges offered by UNSW Study Abroad and Exchange, which also offers tailored support for finding and engaging in exchange opportunities, financial support, and practical advice on enrolment and eligibility: https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/exchange

Students majoring in International Studies will find exchange opportunities of particular value to their student experience and future career. Courses taken on exchange can be counted towards this major.

Progression Requirements

Progression rules are in accordance with university policy.

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

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

Bachelor of Media - BMedia
Bachelor of Social Sciences - BSocSci3345 - Media / Social Sciences

Bachelor of Science - BSc
Bachelor of Social Sciences - BSocSci3923 - Science / Social Sciences

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
Bachelor of Social Sciences - BSocSci3924 - Advanced Science (Honours) / Social Sciences

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) - BSW (Hons)
Bachelor of Social Sciences - BSocSci4046 - Social Work (Honours) / Social Sciences

Bachelor of Social Sciences - BSocSci
Bachelor of Laws - LLB4873 - Social Sciences / Law

Postgraduate Pathway

Master of International Relations - MIR8233 - International Relations

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

Master of Development Studies - MDS8942 - Development Studies

Honours Pathway

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

Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) - BSocSci (Hons)4529 - Social Science (Honours)

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Roles in government agencies, non-government organisations and the business sector such as Policy analyst, Political adviser, Research consultant, Project officer, Advocacy, Community development officer, Program coordinator, Journalism and Media

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 Nucleus Student Hub 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

Faculty
Faculty: The primary academic unit in which related disciplines of teaching and research are conducted.

Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture

Campus

Sydney

Study Level
Study Level refers to the academic level of a program, specialisation or course.

Undergraduate

Typical duration:

3 Year(s)

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Intake Period

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Academic Calendar

Minimum Units of Credit

144

AQF Level

Level 7

Award Type

Bachelor

Award(s)
Award(s): Qualification upon completion (all awards offered by UNSW are accredited by UNSW and align with the Australian Qualifications Framework).

Bachelor of Social Sciences - BSocSci

UAC Code

422301

CRICOS Code

110657K

Social Sciences

3325

144 Units of Credit

Overview

Learning Outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Program Structure

Enrolment Disclaimer

Sample Programs

Program Requirements

Participation and Enrolment Requirements

Internship, Placement and Exchange Opportunities

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