Bachelor of Social Sciences B.SocSci
2009

Program Outline

Today’s social justice challenges can be analysed, interpreted, measured and presented through detailed research techniques to help us understand them and make a change. This program builds usable skills through core topics and applied social science courses which include practical research projects. Students also specialise in one social science discipline (anthropology, Asian studies, development studies, economics, gender, work and social inquiry, geographical and environmental studies, history, international studies, philosophy, politics or psychology).

Core topics include social sciences in Australia, social research, and social science techniques. The combination of practical experience of research approaches and techniques with a social science discipline provides a distinct advantage for graduates to work in areas such as psychology, social planning, public relations, government policy making, research, and the health sector.
 

Study Abroad and Exchange Opportunities

Full time students are encouraged to take advantage of the study abroad and student exchange links that the university has developed with over 100 overseas institutions. Students can study overseas for one or two semesters and earn credit towards their University of Adelaide program. Tuition fees are waived by the overseas institution if a student enrols at an instituation that is an exchange partner of the university.

Work Placement Opportunities

Final year students can also apply to participate in the Arts Internships Scheme co-ordinated by the Faculty. This program offers placement in the State Parliament or public and private sector agencies. Students gain first hand experience in the workings of government or private sector organisations, where they can use the knowledge from their university study in a practical work environment while completing a research project and count this towards their program.

Related Programs

Combined Degrees

Students interested in studying at Adelaide should consider the benefits of completing a combined degree program, sometimes referred to as a double degree. Combined degrees allow students to further expand their knowledge and acquire skills in diverse areas. Such degrees usually require four years of full-time study with students receiving two degree certificates upon completion. Graduates of combined degree programs emerge in an enviable position, having added an extra dimension to their employment potential.

There are two main types of combined programs for students in our Faculty.

Formal combinations require direct entry through SATAC, and may have a higher number of compulsory courses or streams within a particular discipline area. Students following these combinations may need to take additional courses to complete in the minimum time.

• Bachelor of Social Sciences / Bachelor of Health Sciences
• Bachelor of Social Sciences / Bachelor of Laws

Flexible combinations generally allow more free choice in course selection, with fewer compulsory requirements. 

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Sciences may apply through SATAC for entry into the other degree in the following year. By selecting appropriate courses from the first year of study, it is possible to complete these concurrent degree programs in four years of study.

Students considering any combined degree options are strongly encouraged to contact the Faculty office to obtain more detailed information prior to lodging their SATAC applications.

Diploma in Languages

Students enrolled in any University of Adelaide undergraduate degree can enjoy the personal satisfaction and improved job prospects that learning a second language offers. The Diploma comprises a three-year language sequence in any one of eight languages for beginners or advanced students.

Students need to extend their studies over an extra year to accommodate the requirements of the language sequence. Languages currently offered are: Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek and Spanish.

• Honours Degree of Bachelor of Social Sciences

Admission Information

Admissions information for domestic and international students.

Domestic

Selection criteria:	Year 12 applicants 2008 Commonwealth-supported TER: 65.85 You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You must have gained a 'Recorded Achievement' in four SACE Stage 2 HESS (Higher Education Selection Subjects) General subjects (or interstate/International Baccalaureate equivalents). For a full list of SACE subjects and their HESS status please refer to the SATAC Tertiary Entrance Booklet. You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER). Higher Education applicants You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent university study. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. GPAs earned from non-award study within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences are also considered. VET applicants You must have completed an AQF Diploma or above. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Special Entry applicants You must meet the following criteria: you must be 21 years or over on January 1st of the year that you will be studying*, you must not hold a completed higher education level award, and if you have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the last 3 years, you must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study.If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements may also contribute to your rank. If you submit a PC or EE statement, and one of these ranks higher than your STAT score, then the highest ranking statement will contribute 50% to your overall rank and the STAT will contribute the remaining 50%. If you do not submit a PC or EE statement, or if the statements have a lower rank than the STAT, then you will compete for a place on the basis of your STAT result only. *The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
How to apply:	SATAC Code: 324011 Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission
Mid-year entry?	Subject to availability
Annual tuition fees:	Commonwealth-supported place: $5,201
General enquiries:	Student Centre

International

Selection criteria:	IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing 6 5.5 5.5 6 6 International TER 70
How to apply:	Application information for international students Important application deadlines for international students
Mid-year entry?	Yes
Annual tuition fees:	International student place: $19,000
General enquiries:	Student Centre

Areas of Specialisation

• Anthropology
• Asian Politics & Foreign Policy
• Development studies
• Economics
• Gender, work and social inquiry
• Geographical and environmental studies
• History
• International studies
• Linguistics
• Philosophy
• Politics
• Psychology

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

All courses are worth 3 units each. Major and Minor courses Humanities and Social Sciences courses Other Faculty courses: University Course Planner.
Level I: Choose the following courses (24 units)
Semester One  GWSI 1001 Social Sciences in Australia 1 x Major course in one Social Sciences discipline 1 x Minor course in a second Social Sciences discipline 1 x Humanities and Social Sciences or other Faculty course Semester Two GEST 1001 Globalisation, Justice & a Crowded Planet 1 x Major course in one Social Sciences discipline 1 x Minor course in a second Social Sciences discipline (ASIA 1103 Asia and the World recommended) 1 x Humanities and Social Sciences or other Faculty course
Level II or Advanced Level: Choose the following courses (24 units)
GEST 2032 Social Science Techniques 3 x Level II or Advanced Level Major courses in one Social Sciences discipline 2 x Level II or Advanced Level Minor courses in Social Issues or Applied Social Sciences including ANTH 2040 Ethnography: Engaged Research (recommended only) 2 x Level II or Advanced Level Humanities and Social Sciences courses or other Faculty Level II or Advanced Level courses
Level III: Choose the following Advanced Level courses (24 units)
GWSI 2110 Social Research 3 x Advanced Level Major courses in one Social Sciences discipline, including one capstone course 2 x Level III or Advanced Level Minor courses in Social Issues or Applied Social Sciences (recommended only) 2 x Level III or Advanced Level Humanities and Social Sciences courses or other Faculty Level III or Advanced Level courses

Career Opportunities

Potential careers

Arts Administrator, Communications Officer, Community Legal Services Officer, Electronic Publisher, Foreign Affairs, Advertising Officer, Policy Adviser, Health Administrator, Hospital Worker, Project Officer, Public Relations Officer/ Publicist, Publishing, Research Assistant, Research Associates, Business Analyst, Research Scientist, Business Data Analyst, Interpreter/ Translator, School Services Officer, Linguist, Management Consultant, Manager / Business Management, Customer Service Consultant, Marketer / Marketing Manager, Market Researcher, Teacher, Writer, Environmental Management, Environmental Project Officer, Ministerial Adviser, Parliamentary Adviser, Psychologist, Social Worker, Union Representative, Welfare Officer, Workplace Consultant, Archivist, Counsellor, Development Officer, Health Officer, Human Resource Manager, Humanitarian / Aid Worker

Useful Links

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Program Rules

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Program Rules