Course Overview

About This Course

Understanding how society works is essential to shaping better outcomes. Does it bother you when things feel unfair? Have you ever looked at a problem in your community and thought, someone should fix this? Have you wondered how the policies that shape communities’ everyday lives are developed, applied and improved? These are questions social scientists answer. The Bachelor of Social Science equips you with the skills to investigate complex issues and design practical, evidence-based solutions. Explore challenges shaping communities today, such as housing affordability, food insecurity, racism and discrimination, community health and wellbeing, social injustice and inequality, urban planning and sustainability. You learn by doing, applying your knowledge to real world problems and working with communities and organisations. Along the way, you will build strong analytical, research and interpersonal skills, learning to interpret data, understand lived experience and communicate ideas clearly. Graduate ready to contribute to policy, programs and professional practice, with the capability and confidence to create meaningful social change. This course structure lets you build expertise in your chosen major within this degree, whilst giving you the flexibility to broaden your studies or specialise further through a second major, a minor, or elective subjects. See course handbook for more information. This social science degree is applied, collaborative and focused on workplace skills and outcomes. You learn by working on real challenges that affect people and communities, building the skills to turn insight into action. Through projects, fieldwork and engagement with organisations and communities, including local councils and community research projects, you gain hands-on experience in quantitative and qualitative research. You learn to gather, evaluate and apply evidence to social issues, gaining insight into how different countries and communities address social challenges while building a strong understanding of the Australian context. You develop a broad and balanced skillet across research, analysis, policy and program evaluation, communication, stakeholder engagement and ethical decision-making. You can apply these skills across government, community organisations, NGOs, research and industry, contributing to policy, programs, sustainability initiatives and social research that improve outcomes for individuals, communities and the places where they live. Opportunities for internships and placements, both locally and overseas, allow you to gain professional experience and build confidence applying your knowledge in real-world settings. Pathway to TeachingYou may also take a Foundations in Teaching minor and complete the Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (UAC: 755305). You will complete a social science major of your choice, while adding an education element to your degree. This pathway degree offers priority entry to the Master of Teaching (Primary) and a reduced study load while undertaking your master’s degree. You’ll graduate with an undergraduate and postgraduate degree, as well as the qualification and skills to teach children aged 5-12 years. Learn more about our teaching pathways

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Sydney

Tower 1 'Darling Park, Level 2, 201 Sussex St, Sydney, NSW 2000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) available — the student contribution amount depends on your enrolment year and study area. See UOW domestic student fees and CSPs.

Intakes

Autumn 2026 | Spring 2026

Study Mode

On Campus

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students

Assumed Knowledge:

UOW assumes students will have studied any two units of English.

Recent Secondary Education:

If you are a current high school student in Australia, or you’ve finished high school recently, your admission to UOW will likely be based on your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or International Baccalaureate admissions score (IBAS).
Other high-school qualifications UOW considers for entry include:
Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.
See UOW Admissions for more information.
The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is a Selection Rank of 70. Your Selection Rank is your ATAR or IB Combined Rank plus any adjustments you are eligible to receive.
Adjustments are used to increase your Selection Rank. Factors such as the subjects you are studying, the location of your school, or your eligibility for equity and access schemes may be taken into consideration. Find out more about UOW's adjustment factors.
GCE A-Levels
New Zealand NCEA Level 3
Overseas senior secondary qualifications comparable to Australian qualifications

Higher Education Study:

For your application to be assessed on your university results you need to have completed at least half a year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) at a Bachelor's degree level or higher. Your grades will be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes. Students may also be eligible for credit for prior learning.

Work and life experience:

Admission to UOW is primarily based on your academic qualifications, with work or life experience generally not considered. If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, we recommend exploring recognized pathway programs, such as those offered by UOW College or the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC).
For more information, please refer to the UOW Admissions Information page.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

UOW's Woolyungah Indigenous Centre's Indigenous Admissions Program (IAP) offers an alternative pathway for Indigenous Australians aged 17 and over who are seeking entry into an undergraduate course at UOW. Upon completing the IAP, applicants will be considered for admission based on an interview and assessment of both academic and non-academic qualities. For further details, including the application process, please contact Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.

Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications:

UOW recognises a range of overseas secondary, vocational and higher education qualifications. Your qualifications will be assessed for equivalence to Australian qualifications and the admission requirements for this course.Documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation. An official English translation is a verified translation of your documents into English, completed by a qualified translator so it can be accepted as part of your application.For more information, contact the UOW Future Students Team.

English language proficiency:

All UOW courses are taught in English and require varying levels of proficiency. If English is not your first language, you must meet the University’s English Language Requirements, which differ by course.
Accepted international test results include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, and OET for specific health-related courses.
Alternatively, you can fulfill the requirement by completing an English course at UOW College.

International Students

Academic Entry Requirements:

Applicants must achieve the required score in a previous qualification, equivalent to completing at least 13 years of schooling in Australia.
To succeed in your chosen course, you should have completed relevant subjects in senior high school or other qualifications. For more information, refer to UOW's Entry Requirements page.

English Language Requirements:

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Credit (weighted average mark of 65 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing) Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

IELTS Academic:

Overall Score 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based):

Overall Score 86, Reading 22, Writing 22, Listening 17, Speaking 17

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Case Coordinator
Case Worker
Community Development Officer
Community Engagement Officer
Community Program Officer
Crime Analyst
Crime Prevention Specialist
Environmental Impact Assessor
Environment and Heritage Officer
Family Support Officer
Health Promotion Officer
Housing Strategy Consultant
Policy Analyst
Public Health Officer
Regional Development Officer
Research Field Officer
Research Officer
Social Impact Researcher
Sustainability Officer
Urban and Strategic Planner
Youth Officer

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units23 units

MIN3005

Foundations in Teaching

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Foundations in Teaching Minor — 24 credit points

MAJ40177

Sociology

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Social Science Majors — 48 credit points

MAJ40159

Criminology

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Social Science Majors — 48 credit points

MAJ44184

Human Services

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Social Science Majors — 48 credit points

MAJ44301

Public Health

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Social Science Majors — 48 credit points

MAJ44313

Environment and Society

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Social Science Majors — 48 credit points

GEOG336

Qualitative Research Design for Social Scientists

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 3 > Autumn Session — 6 credit points

HAS 302

Community Matters: Research and Responses

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 3 > Autumn Session — 6 credit points

HAS 120

Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 1 > Autumn Session — 6 credit points

HAS 130

Social Determinants of Health

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 1 > Autumn Session — 6 credit points

GEOG121

Life in a Globalising World

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 1 > Autumn Session — 6 credit points

SOC 103

Introduction to Sociology

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 1 > Autumn Session — 6 credit points

CRL 100

Career Ready Learning

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 1 > Spring Session — 6 credit points

CRLP200

Career Ready Learning & Practice

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 2 > Spring Session — 6 credit points

INDS123

Indigenous Geographies: Working with Country

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 2 > Spring Session — 6 credit points

GEOG221

Population, Migration, Inequality

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 2 > Autumn Session — 6 credit points

HAS 205

Quantitative Research Design and Analysis

Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Q344) > Year 2 > Autumn Session — 6 credit points

MIN3079

Public Health Extension