Diploma in Social Science/Bachelor of Social ScienceApproved Abbreviation: DipSocSc/BSocSc
Western Sydney University Course Code: 6023.1
AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 096978C
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 three 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) |
| 700246 | Key Ideas in Arts and Social Sciences (WSTC Prep) |
| 700174 | Tertiary Study Skills in Social Science (WSTC Prep) |
| 700051 | The Individual in Society (WSTC) |
Second Term of Study
| 700049 | Understanding Society (WSTC) |
| 700159 | People, Place and Social Difference (WSTC) |
| 700139 | Working with Communities (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
Two major units
One elective
Spring session
| 101555 | Ethics in the Social Sciences |
Major unit
Two electives
Year 3
Autumn session
Major unit
Two electives
Spring session
| 102203 | Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice |
Two major units
One elective
Or
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
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
Two major units
One elective
Year 3
Spring session
| 102203 | Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice |
Two major units
One elective
Autumn session
Major unit
Two electives
Or
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.
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
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
| M1069 | Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| M1071 | Geography and Urban Studies |
| M1077 | Heritage and Tourism |
| M1083 | Peace and Development Studies |
Elective Sub-majors Which May be Available
| SM1091 | Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| SM1093 | Geography and Urban Studies |
| SM1102 | Peace and Development Studies |
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)