Bachelor of Social Science

Course summary

Social Science looks at why and how we live the way we do. The social sciences look at society and social behaviour to understand, explain and change human behaviour to positively transform the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Social Scientists work in diverse social environments to identify issues and develop strategies for solutions to social problems. Nationally and globally there is a demand for social scientists who are able to understand the complex and changing needs of societies in the face of technological, economic and social changes that constantly affect the smallest of communities to the largest of continents.

This degree

The UOW Bachelor of Social Science degree embeds Indigenous knowledge’s and content, and subjects that will develop your understanding of social inequalities impacting on the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. You will also be provided with career ready experiences throughout the degree to prepare you for a changing world of work.

What you will study

You will complete a common foundation of compulsory core subjects and engage in interdisciplinary study through majors that come from a number of social science disciplines. You will also have the opportunity to complement your studies with a minor or elective subjects from any field in the University offering cross faculty enrolment.

Majors on offer include:

Pathway to Teaching

You 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

Study at UOW Shoalhaven

Students are able to complete the Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Human Services or Sociology at the UOW Shoalhaven campus (UAC: 755300-1).

Course information

Study area

Social Sciences

Campus

Wollongong, Shoalhaven

Course Code

344

ATAR-SR

70

IB Score

25

Duration

3 years full-time, or part-time equivalent

Delivery

On Campus

Cricos

081145A

UAC Code

755300

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.

Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.

Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via non-ATAR or ATAR-based options.

NON-ATAR ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than ATAR.

Non-ATAR admissions at UOW take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.

Early Admission

Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.

ATAR-BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of ATAR or ATAR plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

Guaranteed entry selection ranks

The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an ATAR-Selection Rank of 70 or an IB of 25. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.

Adjustment factors

Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your ATAR to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your ATAR. Find out more about UOW's adjustment factors.

Other Admission Criteria

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the UOW degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

Students who have completed the Diploma of Social Science (UOW College) are eligible for up to 24 credit points of credit towards the Bachelor of Social Science.

Click here for more information on UOW's credit transfer arrangements.

FEES

Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject. For information regarding student contribution amounts, please refer to the UOW Current Students website.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in Australia.
In order to succeed in your chosen course, it is assumed you have completed relevant subjects in your senior high school studies or other relevant qualifications. This is particularly important for degrees which have a strong basis in Mathematics or Science.


ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test

Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.0

6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based)

86

22

22

17

17

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.


CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the UOW degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

Students who have completed the Diploma of Social Science (UOW College) are eligible for up to 24 credit points of credit towards the Bachelor of Social Science.

Click here for more information on UOW's credit transfer arrangements.

FEES

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Wollongong

On Campus

$14,688 (2024)

$88,128 (2024)

Shoalhaven

On Campus

$14,688 (2024)

$88,128 (2024)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. The fees outlined in your Letter of Offer of Admission to the University are correct at the point of offer, but are indicative and subject to change without notice. The indicative total course tuition fee is an estimate, based on normal course length and progression and current course fees.

Admission Profile


INDICATIVE ENROLMENT



STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.

Applicant background

2023 intake

2023 intake (%)

Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

-

-

Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

-

-

Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

-

-

Recent secondary education

ATAR Only Students admitted only on the basis of ATAR including any applied adjustment factors.

-

-

ATAR plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

-

-

Other criteria only (non-ATAR) These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. UOW Early Admission).

-

-

International students All other students.

-

-

All students

-

-

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)


ATAR PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘ATAR-based admission’.

ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023

ATAR The unadjusted, raw ATARs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR. Selection Rank The ATARs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer

-

-

Median rank to receive an offer

-

-

Lowest rank to receive an offer

-

-

< 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

More Information

For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.

Key Dates

SESSION

CAMPUS

SESSION DETAILS

2024 Autumn

Wollongong

Orientation: 20 - 22 February 2024
Session: 26 February – 21 June 2024

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 29 September 2023 (early bird), 2 February 2024 (final) (see UAC Key Dates).
  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 December 2023*
  • International Applicants: 31 December 2023*

*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.
Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 4 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

2024 Autumn

Shoalhaven

Orientation: Check your campus details
Session: 26 February – 21 June 2024

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 29 September 2023 (early bird), 2 February 2024 (final) (see UAC Key Dates).
  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 December 2023*
  • International Applicants: 31 December 2023*

*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.

Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 4 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

2024 Spring

Wollongong

Orientation: 15 July 2024
Session: 22 July – 15 November 2024

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 4 July 2024 (see UAC Key Dates).
  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 May 2024*
  • International Applicants: 31 May 2024*

*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.
Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 4 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

2024 Spring

Shoalhaven

Orientation: Check your campus details
Session: 22 July – 15 November 2024

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 7 July 2024 (see UAC Key Dates).
  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 May 2024*
  • International Applicants: 31 May 2024*

*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.

Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 4 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

Course Structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Handbook

Why choose this course

UOW Social Sciences is an innovative discipline giving you expertise in research, and practical knowledge of social systems and practices in diverse environments. Our Social Science academics are at the forefront of their specialisations. They're accredited professionals, published authors and respected researchers who are connected to their professional research networks. They take all this experience with them to the classroom to enrich and guide your learning experience.

Career opportunities
  • Community Planning and Development
  • Environmental Officer
  • Federal and International Policy
  • Health Care Management and Policy
  • Local and International Community Development
  • Local Government
  • Market Research
  • Policy Analysis And Evaluation
  • Social Planning and Social Impact Assessment
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