Diploma in Social Science/Bachelor of Humanitarian and Development Studies (6027)

  • Approved Abbreviation: DipSocSc/BHumDevStud
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 6027
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 096980J

This program has been suspended from July 2023.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For Commencement Year Term 2 2021 - please refer to 6027.2 - Diploma in Social Science/Bachelor of Humanitarian and Development Studies

For Commencement Year Term 2 2017 - Term 1 2021, please refer to 6027.1 - Diploma in Social Science/Bachelor of Humanitarian and Development Studies

The Bachelor of Humanitarian and Development Studies covers all aspects of disaster management, humanitarian assistance, and development to equip students with the required skills, knowledge, and practical experience (i.e. humanitarian crisis simulation + international placement) that make them ready to work with national and international government and non-government organisations implementing short- and long-term life-saving programs. The degree provides a theory-driven and as well as a comprehensive field experience package that enhance students’ learning, research skills, real world experience, and career readiness.

The first year of this program 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 program.

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

Western Sydney University, The College

Early Exit

Students may exit this program on completion of 100 credit points with a 7050 Diploma in Social Science (exit only)

Study Mode

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

Program Advice

For program advice during your first year of study, contact The College: College Program Enquiries

For program advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Humanitarian and Development Studies

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Bankstown City Campus1 Full Time Internal See above
Bankstown City Campus Part Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road2 Full Time Internal Garry Stevens
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal Garry Stevens
Penrith Campus2 Full Time Internal See above
Penrith Campus Part Time Internal See above
1

Students will study at WSU -The College Bankstown City Campus in their first year of study.

2

From second year onwards, students will study at either Parramatta (Victoria Rd) or Penrith campus.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

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 subject in the NSW Higher School Certificate, Or
  • Competency in English at IELTS 6.0 equivalent Or
  • Passed The College English test at IELTS 6.0 equivalent Or
  • Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English subject 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 program 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 program with a 50% pass Or
  • Passed The College English test at IELTS 6.0 equivalent Or
  • Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English subject 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 program with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

Special Requirements 

Working with Children Check where required and for international placements, a medical clearance to enrol in HUMN 3101 Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement.

Recommended Sequence 2022

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 260 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

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

Western Sydney University The College Subjects

Nirimba, Bankstown and Penrith Campus

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

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
First Term of Study  
LANG 0003 Academic English (WSTC Prep) 10
CULT 0006 Key Concepts and Skills in the Social Sciences (WSTC Prep) 10
BEHV 1023 The Individual in Society (WSTC) 10
Second Term of Study  
CULT 1019 Understanding Society (WSTC) 10
HUMN 1042 People, Place and Social Difference (WSTC) 10
HUMN 1062 Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies (WSTC) 10
Third Term of Study  
HUMN 1029 Human Rights, Peace and Development (WSTC) 10
CULT 1023 Working with Cultural Differences (WSTC) 10
POLI 1008 World Politics and International Relations (WSTC) 10
HUMN 2033 Issues in World Development: Rich World, Poor World (WSTC) 10
 Credit Points100
 Total Credit Points100

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

  • Students must pass all College Preparatory subjects before progressing to the Year Two subjects.
  • Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level subjects in Year One before progressing to the Year Two subjects.

All students must enrol in and complete the 70 credit points of Bachelor of Social Science Core Subjects, a 100 credit point major and 70 credit points of electives. The recommendation is that electives are chosen from the Recommended Electives List.

Western Sydney University Subjects

For program advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Humanitarian and Development Studies.

Bachelor of Humanitarian and Development Studies

Parramatta (Victoria Road) and Penrith Campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 2
Autumn sessionCredit Points
HUMN 2066 Investigating and Communicating Social Problems 10
One subject from the chosen Major 10
And two recommended electives from the list below 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CULT 2005 Ethics in the Social Sciences 10
Select from the following Majors: 30
Students in Humanitarian Preparedness and Response Major complete:  
Two Major subjects
 
One recommended elective from the list below
 
Students in Human Rights, Protection & Development major complete:  
One Major subject
 
Two recommended electives from the list below
 
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
CULT 3001 Applied Social Research 10
One subject from the chosen Major 10
Two recommended electives from the list below 20
 Credit Points40
2H session
HUMN 3100 Social Sciences International Placement (1): Preparation for Placement 10
HUMN 3101 Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement 20
 Credit Points30
Summer A session
HUMN 3102 Social Sciences International Placement (III): Post-placement Reflections 10
 Credit Points10
 Total Credit Points160

Majors

Recommended Electives

Subject Title Credit Points
ACCT 1001Accounting Information for Managers10
AGRI 2006Agriculture, Food and Health10
HUMN 3009Alternatives to Violence10
HUMN 2014Civil Society in Contemporary China10
HUMN 3023Climate Change and Culture10
HUMN 2015Community and Social Action10
WELF 2002Community Work & Development10
CULT 3007Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice10
WELF 1002Context of Human Services10
PUBH 2005Culture, Diversity and Health10
TEAC 2018Education for Sustainability10
ENVL 3003Environmental Risk Management10
HLTH 3007Global Nutrition, Food and Community10
HUMN 3043Globalisation and Sustainability10
HUMN 3049Home and Away: Ethnicity and Migration in Australia10
WELF 2008Human Rights, Human Services and the Law10
WELF 1003Human Services Intervention Strategies10
LAWS 3029Immigration Law10
CULT 3016Indigenous Cultures: A Global Perspective10
LAWS 3034International Criminal Law10
WELF 3007Leadership, Alliances, Sustainability (Block Mode)10
BUSM 1044Leadership in Complexity10
WELF 2011Management and Community Organisations (Block Mode)10
BUSM 1023Managing People at Work10
HUMN 2037Peace-Making and Peace-Building10
ENVL 3005Planning the City: Development, Community and Systems10
BIOS 1030Resource Sustainability10
HUMN 2048Revaluing Indigenous Economics (Day Mode)10
HUMN 3077Sustainable Futures10
HUMN 2053The Economics of Cities and Regions10

Replaced  Elective Subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2020 or earlier.

HLTH 2002 - Agriculture, Food and Health, replaced by AGRI 2006 Agriculture, Food and Health

Equivalent Subjects

The subject listed below count towards completion of this Program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier.

POLI 1003 Introduction to International Relations (WSTC), replaced by POLI 1008 World Politics and International Relations (WSTC)

The subject listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2020 or earlier. 

CULT 1021 Working with Communities (WSTC), replaced by HUMN 1062 Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies (WSTC) 

Recommended Sequence 2023

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 260 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

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

Western Sydney University The College Subjects

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
Preparatory subjects  
LANG 0056 Advanced Communication for Social Science (WSTC Prep) 10
CULT 0006 Key Concepts and Skills in the Social Sciences (WSTC Prep) 10
 Credit Points20
 Total Credit Points20

Students must pass the following University level subjects

Subject Title Credit Points
HUMN 1062Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies (WSTC)10
CULT 1019Understanding Society (WSTC)10
HUMN 1042People, Place and Social Difference (WSTC)10
BEHV 1023The Individual in Society (WSTC)10
HUMN 1029Human Rights, Peace and Development (WSTC)10
CULT 1023Working with Cultural Differences (WSTC)10
POLI 1008World Politics and International Relations (WSTC)10
HUMN 2033Issues in World Development: Rich World, Poor World (WSTC)10
Total Credit Points80

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

  • Students must pass all College Preparatory subjects before progressing to the Year Two subjects.
  • Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level subjects in Year One before progressing to the Year Two subjects.

All students must enroll in and complete the 80 credit points of Core subjects, the 80 credit point major and 80 credit points of electives.  The recommendation is that electives are chosen from the 40 credit point Social Sciences International Placement and either the list of Recommended Minors or from the Recommended Elective subject list (shown below).

Western Sydney University Subjects

Plan of Study Grid
Year 2
Autumn sessionCredit Points
HUMN 2066 Investigating and Communicating Social Problems 10
HUMN 3116 Complex Emergencies and International Guidelines 10
Select two recommended electives from the list below or an elective minor 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CULT 2005 Ethics in the Social Sciences 10
BUSM 3082 Project Management in Humanitarian and Development Studies 10
HUMN 3119 Emergency Field Operations: Supply Management and Logistics 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
CULT 3001 Applied Social Research 10
HUMN 3068 Public Health Response in Complex Emergencies 10
HUMN 3077 Sustainable Futures 10
Select one recommended elective from the list below 10
 Credit Points40
2H session
Recommended Minor – Social Sciences International Placement  
HUMN 3100 Social Sciences International Placement (1): Preparation for Placement 10
HUMN 3101 Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement 20
 Credit Points30
Summer A session
HUMN 3102 Social Sciences International Placement (III): Post-placement Reflections 10
 Credit Points10
 Total Credit Points160

OR

Plan of Study Grid
Year 3
Spring sessionCredit Points
Select four recommended electives from the list below 40
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points40

Recommended Electives

Subject Title Credit Points
ACCT 1001Accounting Information for Managers10
AGRI 2006Agriculture, Food and Health10
HUMN 3009Alternatives to Violence10
HUMN 1008Cities: Introduction to Urban Studies10
HUMN 2014Civil Society in Contemporary China10
HUMN 3023Climate Change and Culture10
HUMN 2015Community and Social Action10
WELF 2002Community Work & Development10
CULT 3007Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice10
WELF 1002Context of Human Services10
PUBH 2005Culture, Diversity and Health10
TEAC 2018Education for Sustainability10
ENVL 3003Environmental Risk Management10
HLTH 3007Global Nutrition, Food and Community10
HUMN 3043Globalisation and Sustainability10
HUMN 3049Home and Away: Ethnicity and Migration in Australia10
WELF 2008Human Rights, Human Services and the Law10
WELF 1003Human Services Intervention Strategies10
LAWS 3029Immigration Law10
CULT 3016Indigenous Cultures: A Global Perspective10
LAWS 3034International Criminal Law10
HUMN 2073Issues in Contemporary Heritage10
WELF 3007Leadership, Alliances, Sustainability (Block Mode)10
BUSM 1044Leadership in Complexity10
WELF 2011Management and Community Organisations (Block Mode)10
BUSM 1023Managing People at Work10
TOUR 2003Managing Sustainable Places10
HUMN 2037Peace-Making and Peace-Building10
ENVL 3005Planning the City: Development, Community and Systems10
BIOS 1030Resource Sustainability10
HUMN 2048Revaluing Indigenous Economics (Day Mode)10
HUMN 2053The Economics of Cities and Regions10

Equivalent Subjects 

The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier.

TOUR 2001 Issues in Contemporary Heritage, replaced by HUMN 2073 Issues in Contemporary Heritage

BUSM 2043 Project Management in Humanitarian and Development Studies, replaced by BUSM 3082 Project Management in Humanitarian and Development Studies

HUMN 2017 Complex Emergencies and International Guidelines, replaced by HUMN 3116 Complex Emergencies and International Guidelines

HUMN 2022 Emergency Field Operations: Supply Management and Logistics, replaced by HUMN 3119 Emergency Field Operations: Supply Management and Logistics

POLI 1002 Introduction to International Relations, replaced by POLI 1008 World Politics and International Relations (WSTC)

LANG 0003 - Academic English (WSTC Prep), replaced by LANG 0056 Advanced Communication for Social Science (WSTC Prep)

Other Recommended Minors