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The Bachelor of Social Science focuses on understanding society and its institutions, and the way in which they impact on people and their lives. Underpinned by the values of social justice, human rights and environmental sustainability, the degree facilitates knowledge and skills to help students critically analyse social arrangements and identify opportunities for change. It also enables students to gain skills in working effectively with people in a wide range of organisational settings.
This degree includes majors in sociology and policy and governance. It also provides options for further streams in areas such as development studies, cultural studies and welfare studies. A selection of majors from across the University is also available in this course.
The degree builds transferable knowledge and skills that can be applied in many different settings, such as the public service, community agencies, advocacy and lobbying organisations, and international aid organisations.
The Bachelor of Social Science is a flexible, forward-looking and practical degree that can be used to effectively position graduates for a wide range of jobs. There are diverse government agencies that employ graduates, including NSW Family & Community Services, QLD Department of Communities, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Australian Department of Human Services. Many non-government and private sector organisations also employ graduates, drawing on their skills in problem-solving, critical analysis, social research and advocacy.
This degree includes an optional professional placement unit towards the end of the degree that enables students to gain on-the-job experience in a wide range of settings, such as government departments and non-government community organisations.
Sociology examines the many forces that affect how people experience society and provides an understanding of how particular groups within society may be disadvantaged. It examines the operation of key social institutions, such as the family, religion and the economy. Students develop skills in critical analysis and social research and apply these to contemporary issues and debates. The major includes an analysis of the changing conditions of work and personal relationships, as well as the impact of social forces on health and wellbeing. It also addresses changing patterns of social communication, including the use of social networking. Students have the opportunity of undertaking independent studies in sociology, as well as participating in work-integrated learning and a community partnership project.
Policy and Governance examines the multi-faceted systems and processes involved in policy making and governance. This involves developing an in-depth knowledge not just of the formal institutions of government, but also the organised practices that determine how citizens are governed. The major enables students to develop high level skills in critical analysis through exploring how ideology and social discourse impact on governance, policy making and people’s everyday lives. The major includes an examination of policy making processes, how policy problems are analysed and the relevance of social research. Students have the opportunity to apply their learning through a professional placement or a community partnership project, as well as extending their learning through independent study.
Streams: These include development studies, which addresses local and global community development strategies and issues; cultural studies, which engages with various understandings of identity, power and place; and welfare studies, which enables students to understand the processes involved in the planning and delivery of community services. Students have the option of selecting up to two streams (made up of a minimum of four units).
Additional majors: University-wide majors are also available in this course.
Please note that some units in this course are only available to study by distance education.
To qualify for the Bachelor of Social Science a total of 288 credit points (usually 24 units) must be completed.
This course offers intermediate awards (early exit points) at Diploma and Associate Degree levels.
Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.
For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.
| Locations | ||
| Distance Education | Session 1 Session 2 |
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| Lismore | Session 1 Session 2 |
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| Coffs Harbour | Session 1+ Session 2+ + Not available to international students. |
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| Gold Coast Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga |
Session 1 Session 2 |
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| Course Duration | 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time May be completed in a shorter duration subject to unit availabilities. |
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| Fees and Charges | • Domestic fees • International fees • Additional fee information |
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| School | School of Arts and Social Sciences | |
| Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries | scu.edu.au/enquiries | |
| Further Information | Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481 International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au |
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| Total Units: | Award Abbreviation: | 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP: |
| 24 | BSocSc | 68/15 |
| UAC Course Code | QTAC Course Code | CRICOS Course Code |
| Coffs Harbour: 331151 Gold Coast: 331161 Lismore: 331101 |
Coffs Harbour: 051511 Gold Coast: 051161 Lismore: 051011 |
Gold Coast QLD: 077349A Coffs Harbour NSW: N/A Lismore NSW: 016166B |
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Our distance education study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.
The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.
Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.
The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.
The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.
Assessment items may include essays, research reports, case analysis or video presentations. Some units have an examination.
Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.
Pre-requisite Year 12 subjects
There are no pre-requisite subjects required for this course.
On-campus Undergraduate applications
To apply to study an undergraduate degree at a SCU campus, apply online through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). For more information please visit either the UAC or QTAC websites: www.uac.edu.au or www.qtac.edu.au. A late fee applies for UAC and QTAC applications received after the 30th of September.
Direct Applications
The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:
Online applications for the Bachelor of Social Science involve four key steps:
Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Office website.
At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.
We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.
For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.
Bachelor of Social Science with Honours
Bachelor of Social Science, Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Social Welfare
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Indigenous Studies
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Bachelor of Trauma and Healing
Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
4.1 Requirements for an AwardCandidates who have completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Social Science may be granted advanced standing of up to sixteen (16) units in the Bachelor of Social Science.
See University-wide Majors for more information.