Course

Diploma in Social Science/Bachelor of Social Science

Approved Abbreviation: DipSocSc/BSocSc

Western Sydney University Course Code: 6023.2

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 096978C

Students commencing in 2022 should use the link to the new handbook for program details.

Diploma in Social Science/Bachelor of Social Science

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is Term 2, 2021.

For Commencement Year Term 2 2017 - Term 1 2021, please refer to 6023.1 - Diploma in Social Science/Bachelor of Social Science

The Bachelor of Social Science degree is a broadly based, inter-disciplinary three year program offering flexibility and choice within a range of offerings in the social sciences. The degree seeks to equip all students with the interdisciplinary and specialist skills and knowledge that a new graduate would need on entering the workforce or on proceeding to advanced study. Students are encouraged to choose from more than one of the social sciences, to allow for personal and occupational interests, and prepare themselves to extend their studies at the major and sub-major levels. The majors and sub-majors include: Child and Community; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Geography and Urban Studies; Peace and Development Studies; Sociology; Anthropology; Heritage and Tourism. Students are able to select eight elective units from across Western Sydney University subject to availability and Western Sydney University rules. The Bachelor of Social Science aims to expand understanding of the social world in three ways: through social theory, social research and the applications of these ideas and knowledge to practice through social engagement. It provides a wide base for understanding issues in the complex, culturally diverse and ever-changing social environment of the 21st century.

The first year of this course is delivered by Western Sydney University The College, as an agent of Western Sydney University, via extended face-to-face hours in smaller learning environments. A Diploma in Social Science exit point is also available at the end of the first year of the course.

For more information on Western Sydney University, The College, please refer to their web site.

Western Sydney University, The College

For course advice during your first year of study, please use the contact below under ‘Course Advice’. For course advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Social Science.

Bachelor of Social Science

Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Admission

For more information on applying please see link to The College admission pages below.

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/thecollege/how_to_apply

Domestic students are required to have:

Completed an English unit in the NSW Higher School Certificate, Or

Competency in English at IELTS 6.0 equivalent (unless a native speaker) Or

Passed The College English test at IELTS 6.0 equivalent Or

Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English unit at C grade level or higher.

Met other entry requirements such as:

An ATAR identified prior to the offer of a place, Or

Completed The College Foundation Studies course with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

International students must satisfy one of the following language requirements:

IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each sub band Or

Completed the College EAP 4 course with a 50% pass Or

Passed The College English test at IELTS 6.0 equivalent Or

Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English unit at C grade level or higher for which advanced standing can be applied for.

Academic Entry Requirements vary according to country of origin. However, in general:

Completion of Year 12 or its equivalent is the minimum entry requirement Or

Completed The College Foundation Studies course with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
Students who opt to enrol in SSIP as alternate core/electives, are required to complete a Working with Children Check and obtain medical clearance for the 102724 Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement unit.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 260 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

The early exit College Diploma consists of 100 credit points which includes two College Preparatory units.

Western Sydney University The College Units

Bankstown, Penrith and Nirimba Campus

Please note that all campuses may not have intakes each year.

Year 1

First Term of Study

700056

Academic English (WSTC Prep)

700323

Key Concepts and Skills in the Social Sciences (WSTC Prep)

700051

The Individual in Society (WSTC)

Second Term of Study

700049

Understanding Society (WSTC)

700159

People, Place and Social Difference (WSTC)

700320

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies (WSTC)

Third Term of Study

700140

Working with Cultural Differences (WSTC)

700158

Human Rights, Peace and Development (WSTC)

Choose two of

700156

Crime, Deviance and Society (WSTC)

700268

Introduction to International Relations (WSTC)

700267

Issues in World Development: Rich World, Poor World (WSTC)

Students may exit at this point and graduate with the Diploma in Social Science following a passing grade in all of the above units. Students who progress onto Year 2 may also be awarded the Diploma if they gain a passing grade in all of the above units.

Students must pass all College Preparatory units before progressing to the Year 2 units.
Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level units in Year 1 before progressing to the Year 2 units.

Western Sydney University Units

For course advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Social Science.

Bachelor of Social Science

Liverpool, Parramatta (Victoria Road) and Penrith Campus

Start-Year (Autumn)

Year 2

Autumn session

102816

Investigating and Communicating Social Problems

Two major units

One elective

Spring session

101555

Ethics in the Social Sciences

Major unit

Two electives

Year 3

Autumn session

101552

Applied Social Research

Major unit

Two electives

Spring session

102203

Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice

Two major units

One elective

Social Sciences International Placement units

Those students who undertake the Social Sciences International Placement units in Year 3 would be exempted from completing 102203 and three electives. The course structure would be varied as follows, but students are also encouraged to seek advice from their ACA early on about this option.

Year 3

Autumn session

101552

Applied Social Research

Three Major or Elective units

(a combination of major units and electives if electives remaining)

2H session

102723

Social Sciences International Placement (1): Preparation for Placement

102724

Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement

Summer A session

102725

Social Sciences International Placement (III): Post-placement Reflections

Mid-Year (Spring)

Year 2

Spring session

101555

Ethics in the Social Sciences

Major unit

Two electives

Autumn session

102816

Investigating and Communicating Social Problems

Two major units

One elective

Year 3

Spring session

102203

Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice

Two major units

One elective

Autumn session

101552

Applied Social Research

Major unit

Two electives

Social Sciences International Placement units

2H session

102723

Social Sciences International Placement (1): Preparation for Placement

102724

Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement

Summer A session

102725

Social Sciences International Placement (III): Post-placement Reflections

Autumn session

101552

Applied Social Research

Three Major or Elective units

(a combination of major units and electives if electives remaining)

Equivalent Alternate Units

The alternate unit listed below counts towards completion of this course for students who passed this unit in 2018 or earlier.

102174 - Social Sciences International Placement

Majors

Note: Students should use up to two of their elective units towards obtaining their chosen major.

Students must select one of the following majors

M1097

Anthropology

M1079

Child and Community

M1069

Criminology and Criminal Justice

M1138

Disability Studies

M1071

Geography and Urban Studies

M1077

Heritage and Tourism

M1083

Peace and Development Studies

M1073

Sociology

Elective Sub-majors Which May be Available

SM1099

Child and Community

SM1091

Criminology and Criminal Justice

SM1146

Disability Studies

SM1093

Geography and Urban Studies

SM1097

Heritage and Tourism

SM1148

Indigenous Studies

SM1102

Peace and Development Studies

SM1147

Social Research

SM1094

Sociology

Sub-major Elective Spaces

Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points).

Search for sub-majors

Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major

Business Sustainability Sub-major

Students can apply for an elective sub-major via MySR.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)

Equivalent Core Unit

The core unit listed below counts towards completion of this course for students who passed this unit in 2020 or earlier.

700139 - Working with Communities (WSTC)