Future Students

Social Science

The Area of Study

Social science addresses the social, political, cultural, spatial, historical and ethical issues that face people in today’s world. If you complete a program of study in social science at Macquarie University you will develop skills in undertaking systematic inquiry and making good use of empirical evidence, intellectual collaboration and teamwork, problem setting and problem-solving, intercultural communication. You will be able to design and make use of applied social and policy research, undertake ethical research and policy development, understand citizenship and human rights in a variety of social, cultural and historical contexts and have an informed awareness of contemporary policy issues and the kinds of analysis required to address them.

The structure of the Bachelor of Social Science degree program offers considerable choice and flexibility, allowing you to construct a program of studies appropriate to your interests and career goals. You will be required to complete at least one unit in social science research methods and undertake an internship in social research, as well as to study a program of study chosen from one or more of the key social science disciplines, listed on the right.

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Degree Program Information

Degree UAI 2008 CSP Course Duration
Bachelor of Social Science 76.10 3 years full-time /equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Social Science with Bachelor of Laws 96.35 5 years full-time
Bachelor of Arts 76.00 3 years full-time /equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Laws 95.45 5 years full-time

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What You Will Study

You must complete a program of study (major) in one of the following:

  • Anthropology
  • Asian Studies
  • Demography
  • Human Geography
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Indigenous Studies and Anthropology/Sociology
  • Indigenous Studies and History/Politics
  • Linguistics and Intercultural Communication
  • Linguistics and Policy
  • Linguistics and Social Policy
  • Modern History
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Population Studies
  • Psychology
  • Social Developmental Psychology
  • Social Philosophy
  • Sociolinguisitics
  • Sociology
  • Urban and Regional Management
  • Women’s Studies, Gender and Sexuality

Your program of study may include units from the subject areas listed below:

  • Australian societies
  • cultural sociology
  • social policy
  • media
  • social research
  • economy and society
  • anthropology
  • media
  • philosophy

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Recommended Prior Knowledge

First-year social science units do not require any assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies. Other units taken as part of a degree may require assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies and you should refer to the Macquarie University Handbook of Undergraduate Studies for full degree requirements.

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Career Options

  • applied social research
  • human services and
  • service planning
  • market research
  • policy analysis
  • health care planning and provision
  • human resources
  • international development
  • management

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Some Major Employers

  • community services
  • organisations
  • health care suppliers
  • museums and
  • historical societies
  • government organisations

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Further Information

Macquarie University NSW 2109
Telephone:  (02) 9850 8857
Fax: (02) 9850 9559
Email:  admin@scmp.mq.edu.au
Web: www.scmp.mq.edu.au/bsocsci

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