Bachelor of Social Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Social Science

Play a role in social change.

Our program equips you with comprehensive skills and knowledge in social and political theory, social research and public policy. This program’s core focus is sociology and offers you the opportunity to specialise in areas such as geography, politics and international relations, public policy, Indigenous studies and development studies.

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
037991F
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2^
Program length (full-time)
3 years
Semester tuition fee 2018
A$11,000
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$66,000
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
  • * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the program is completed at Sippy Downs.
  • ^Semester 2 commencement not available at Gympie.
  • ** Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 011061
  • Fraser Coast 019071**
  • Gympie * 016061
Refer to the program footnotes
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 18 Rank - 61
UniSC program code
AR361
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2^
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
on campus
Recommended prior study
English
Fee type 2018
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
24
Total units
288
Footnotes
  • * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the program is completed at Sippy Downs.
  • ^Semester 2 commencement not available at Gympie.
  • ** Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.

Our program equips you with comprehensive skills and knowledge in social and political theory, social research and public policy. This program’s core focus is sociology and offers you the opportunity to specialise in areas such as geography, politics and international relations, public policy, Indigenous studies and development studies.

Develop your understanding of the social, political, economic and environmental processes that underpin social change and conflict at local, national and international levels. Complete an elective industry project in a social or community organisation to apply your theory to practice.

You’ll embody a compassion for others and develop an ethos of integrity, social justice and equity. Our social science degree is a strong base for further studies in law or honours. You’ll have a wide variety of career options in areas such as advocacy, community education, social services, international aid work and research.

Majors

Criminology, Development Studies; Geography; Politics and International Relations; Sociology; Sustainability-Society.

Career opportunities

Policy analysis and development, social planning, government, research, local and regional planning, community education, industrial relations, unions, welfare.

Program structure

Introductory courses (3)

COR109
SCS110
SCS130

Advanced courses (5)

SCS225
SCS230
SCS235
SCS290
SCS295

Major or minor courses (8)

Completion of the above plus one further advanced sociology course enables you to graduate with a Sociology major (please follow the link to see the list of advanced courses available in the Sociology major). Apply for your selected Majors and Minors.

In addition, select 8 courses to complete 1 major from those listed below or 2 minors from those listed below:

Select a major (8 courses) from:

Or select 2 minors (4 courses each) from: 

Elective courses (8)

Select 8 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). It is strongly recommended that electives be utilised to complete an additional minor or to convert your chosen minor to a major.


The following elective course is strongly recommended:

SCS204

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 288

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 units per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence

  • Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified

  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
  • You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
  • Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)