Diploma in Social Science/Bachelor of Social Science (6023)
- Approved Abbreviation: DipSocSc/BSocSc
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 6023
- AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 096978C
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.
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 minor levels. The majors and minors 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 subjects 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 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
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 Social Science
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 |
| Liverpool Campus2 | Full Time | Internal | Julia Kantek |
| Liverpool Campus | Part Time | Internal | Julia Kantek |
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road2 | Full Time | Internal | Julia Kantek |
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road | Part Time | Internal | Julia Kantek |
| Penrith Campus2 | Full Time | Internal | See above |
| Penrith Campus | Part Time | Internal | See above |
| The College - Nirimba Education Precinct1 | Full Time | Internal | See above |
| The College - Nirimba Education Precinct | Part Time | Internal | See above |
- 1
Students will study at WSU - The College Nirimba or Bankstown City Campus in their first year of study.
- 2
From second year onwards, students will study at either Liverpool, Parramatta (Victoria Rd), or Penrith campus.
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 with 70% or higher 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 with 70% or higher 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
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 HUMN 3101 Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement subject.
Program Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 260 credit points which include the subjects listed in 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
Bankstown, Penrith and Nirimba Campus
Please note that all campuses may not have intakes each year.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| First Term of Study | ||
| LANG 0056 | Advanced Communication for Social Science (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 | ||
| CULT 1023 | Working with Cultural Differences (WSTC) | 10 |
| HUMN 1029 | Human Rights, Peace and Development (WSTC) | 10 |
| Select two of the following: | 20 | |
| Crime, Deviance and Society (WSTC) | ||
| World Politics and International Relations (WSTC) | ||
| Issues in World Development: Rich World, Poor World (WSTC) | ||
| Total Credit Points | 100 | |
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 2 subjects.
- Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level subjects in Year 1 before progressing to the Year 2 subjects.
Western Sydney University Subjects
For program advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Social Science.
Liverpool, Parramatta (Victoria Road) and Penrith Campus
Start-year intake
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 2066 | Investigating and Communicating Social Problems | 10 |
| Select two major subjects | 20 | |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CULT 2005 | Ethics in the Social Sciences | 10 |
| Select one major subject | 10 | |
| Select two electives | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| CULT 3001 | Applied Social Research | 10 |
| Select one major subject | 10 | |
| Select two electives | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| CULT 3007 | Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select two Major subjects | 20 | |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
or
Social Sciences International Placement Subjects
Those students who undertake the Social Sciences International Placement subjects in Year 3 would be exempted from completing CULT 3007 Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice and three electives. The program 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 | Credit Points | |
| CULT 3001 | Applied Social Research | 10 |
| Select three major or elective subjects (a combination of major subjects and electives if electives remaining) | 30 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| 2H session | ||
| HUMN 3100 | Social Sciences International Placement (1): Preparation for Placement | 10 |
| HUMN 3101 | Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement | 20 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Summer A session | ||
| HUMN 3102 | Social Sciences International Placement (III): Post-placement Reflections | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Total Credit Points | 80 | |
Mid-year intake
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring session | Credit Points | |
| CULT 2005 | Ethics in the Social Sciences | 10 |
| Select one major subject | 10 | |
| Select two electives | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| HUMN 2066 | Investigating and Communicating Social Problems | 10 |
| Select two major subjects | 20 | |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| CULT 3007 | Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice | 10 |
| Select two major subjects | 20 | |
| Select one elective | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| CULT 3001 | Applied Social Research | 10 |
| Select one major subject | 10 | |
| Select two electives | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 160 | |
or
Social Sciences International Placement Subjects
Those students who undertake the Social Sciences International Placement subjects in Year 3 would be exempted from completing CULT 3007 Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice and three electives. The program structure would be varied as follows, but students are also encouraged to seek advice from their ACA early on about this option.
| Year 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2H session | Credit Points | |
| HUMN 3100 | Social Sciences International Placement (1): Preparation for Placement | 10 |
| HUMN 3101 | Social Sciences International Placement (II): Placement | 20 |
| Credit Points | 30 | |
| Summer A session | ||
| HUMN 3102 | Social Sciences International Placement (III): Post-placement Reflections | 10 |
| Credit Points | 10 | |
| Autumn session | ||
| CULT 3001 | Applied Social Research | 10 |
| Select three major or elective subjects (a combination of major subjects and electives if electives remaining) | 30 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 80 | |
Equivalent Alternate Subjects
The alternate subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2018 or earlier.
HUMN 3073 - Social Sciences International Placement
Majors
Note: Students should use up to two of their elective subjects towards obtaining their chosen major.
Students must select one of the following majors
Elective Minors Which May Be Available
Minor elective spaces
Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved minor (40 credit points). Western Sydney University offers minors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.
Global Sustainability Minor
Indigenous Australian Studies Minor
Western Sydney University also offers the following innovative transdisciplinary Challenge Minors which we encourage those students who have elective space to consider.
Equitable Technologies
Urban Evolution
Migration and Global Change
Personal Innovation
Innovating, Creating and Problem Solving
Eco-Socially Conscious Design and Manufacturing
Water for Life
Climate Justice
Creative and Visual Communication
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing
Ideate.Strategise.Innovate.
Humanising Data
For more information, visit the Challenge Minor website.
Students can apply for an elective minor via Western Now.
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)
LANG 0003 - Academic English (WSTC Prep), replaced by LANG 0056 Advanced Communication for Social Science (WSTC Prep)
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)