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Bachelor of Social Science (Honours)

Overview

Take a deep dive into your specialty in social sciences and develop your research skills and knowledge, while gaining a valuable additional qualification which will differentiate you in the job market.

The Bachelor of Social Science with Honours is a single year of full-time (or part time equivalent) advanced level study where you'll apply your research skills in the humanities and social sciences.

Your Honours program will combine a flexible mix of coursework and independent study, during which you'll prepare and undertake an approved independent social science research project and submit a formal Honours thesis.

Under the Honours program, you'll be encouraged to extend your specialised study in either Health and Social Policy, Development or Environment and Society, and the program can be individually supervised across relevant UQ schools or research centres.

The program will allow you to develop, extend and consolidate your knowledge and skills in social science theory and research in relation to your specialisation area. It's a valuable additional qualification on entering the job market.

If you excel through the Honours program, you'll have the opportunity to progress onto a Master of Philosophy or further postgraduate study.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025)
Program Code
2033
AQF
Level 8
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$43200
Duration
1 Year full-time
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025)
Semester dates for 2026 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
2033
CRICOS Code
081757F
AQF
Level 8

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Enjoy individual supervision from UQ's leading academics as you develop your Honours thesis.
  • Hone your research skills and knowledge of your chosen field and gain a valuable additional qualification.
  • Unlock pathways to further advanced study with a higher postgraduate degree.

6 in Australia for social sciences and humanities

CWTS Leiden Ranking 2023

39 in the world for public health

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023

Majors

Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:

  • Development
  • Environment and Society
  • Health and Social Policy

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Fieldwork
  • Seminars
  • Workshops

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

  • Social Science Honours thesis
  • Social Science Honours Research Seminar 1
  • Social Science Honours Research Seminar 2

Career possibilities

Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Depending on which major you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Aid project officer
  • Public policy adviser
  • Policy and research officer
  • Social and government researcher
  • Social and welfare services planner
  • Community planning and policy adviser
  • Community development manager
  • Environment and sustainability consultant
  • Academic researcher

Entry requirements

Prerequisites

  • Bachelor of Social Science from the University (or equivalent); and
  • have gained a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale from an approved combination of courses comprising:
  • all Level 2 and Level 3 BSocSc Core Courses and 6 units of Level 2 and Level 3 courses from the chosen BSocSc Major; or

  • satisfy the executive dean that the person is qualified to undertake the program based on the person's academic records and subject to completion of additional work, if set.

A person who completed their bachelor's more than two years prior to program commencement must obtain approval from the executive dean to enrol.
Other Entry Requirements
  • The head of school may limit places depending on supervisor availability.
  • Once eligibility is established, entry is via a competitive selection process based on GPA.

Prerequisites

  • Bachelor of Social Science from the University (or equivalent); and
  • have gained a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale from an approved combination of courses comprising:
  • all Level 2 and Level 3 BSocSc Core Courses and 6 units of Level 2 and Level 3 courses from the chosen BSocSc Major; or

  • satisfy the executive dean that the person is qualified to undertake the program based on the person's academic records and subject to completion of additional work, if set.

A person who completed their bachelor's more than two years prior to program commencement must obtain approval from the executive dean to enrol.
Other Entry Requirements
  • The head of school may limit places depending on supervisor availability.
  • Once eligibility is established, entry is via a competitive selection process based on GPA.

English language requirements

IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.

PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.

BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.

CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.

OET is not accepted.

 

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Fields of study

Fields of study

Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:

This major provides a social science perspective on international and community development problems.

Courses analyse the social effects of development, the role of international aid and community development projects, and environmental policy. The major emphasises working in multi-disciplinary teams to alleviate poverty and inequality, and develop sustainable societies, communities and environments.

View

Develop specialised research skills to advance your understanding of environmental, social, political and cultural issues.

By studying Honours in Environment and Society you'll develop specialised social science research skills and theory-informed critical thinking to current socio-political challenges such as climate change and the environment, fast fashion, green consumerism and clean energy policymaking.

You will study a combination of core courses as well as undertake independent research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a supervisor.

View

Develop specialised social science research skills and theory-informed critical thinking to current social and health policy issues.

Specialising in Health and Social Policy during your Honours year will enable you to enhance your capacity for independent research and to extend research skills appropriate to the fields of Health Social Science and Social Policy Studies.

You will apply research design skills to current social and health policy issues such as vaccine hesitancy, climate change and mental health, smoking and alcohol intake during pregnancy.

You will study a combination of core courses as well as undertake independent research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a supervisor. 

View

Fields of study

Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:

This major provides a social science perspective on international and community development problems.

Courses analyse the social effects of development, the role of international aid and community development projects, and environmental policy. The major emphasises working in multi-disciplinary teams to alleviate poverty and inequality, and develop sustainable societies, communities and environments.

View

Develop specialised research skills to advance your understanding of environmental, social, political and cultural issues.

By studying Honours in Environment and Society you'll develop specialised social science research skills and theory-informed critical thinking to current socio-political challenges such as climate change and the environment, fast fashion, green consumerism and clean energy policymaking.

You will study a combination of core courses as well as undertake independent research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a supervisor.

View

Develop specialised social science research skills and theory-informed critical thinking to current social and health policy issues.

Specialising in Health and Social Policy during your Honours year will enable you to enhance your capacity for independent research and to extend research skills appropriate to the fields of Health Social Science and Social Policy Studies.

You will apply research design skills to current social and health policy issues such as vaccine hesitancy, climate change and mental health, smoking and alcohol intake during pregnancy.

You will study a combination of core courses as well as undertake independent research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a supervisor. 

View

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$16,323

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

$16,323

2025

Learn more about undergraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $43,200

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

AUD $43,200

2025

Learn more about undergraduate fees

Government assistance

Financial aid

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

HECS-HELP

Domestic places in the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

Explore other programs

Science (Honours)

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

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1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)1 Year full-time
Arts (Honours)

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

St Lucia
1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)1 Year full-time
Economics (Honours)

Bachelor of Economics (Honours)

St Lucia
1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)1 Year full-time
Health Sciences (Honours)

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)

St Lucia, Herston
1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)1 Year full-time

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