Bachelor of Social Science

This broad degree looks at how people, groups and societies work.

Compare 9 providers

How long it takes: 3 years; full time
Entry ATAR: From 51.15; Lowest offered at Western Sydney University, 2023
How you can study: Online or on campus
Taught by: 9 providers; 4 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

What the Bachelor of Social Science asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

an interest in how people and societies work
a willingness to question your own assumptions
good communication skills in writing and speaking
curiosity about social issues and research

Before you start

Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.

Where this course can take you

No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.

Jobs a degree can help with

None of these jobs needs a set qualification.

Community Development Officer
Community development officers work with local groups, councils and services to find out what a community needs and help build the programs that meet it.
Median pay$95,900

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.

Where you can study this course

There are 9 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

Western Sydney University
4 campuses, NSW
4.2from 1,872 Google reviews
ATAR
51.15 lowest
(60.4 median, 2023)
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Website for Western Sydney University (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Staff are friendly and supportive
- Good academic experience and learning
What to weigh up
- Admin can be slow to respond
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne Online, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
How you study
Online
(full or part time)
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW
4.3from 747 Google reviews
ATAR
64.3 lowest
(67 median, 2024)
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Website for University of Wollongong (opens in a new tab)
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course and assessment changes can disrupt study
RMIT University
City, VIC
More about RMIT University
3.8from 1,757 Google reviews
How you study
On campus
Next intake
Feb 2027
Adelaide University
Magill, Mount Gambier, Whyalla, SA
4.5from 1,262 Google reviews
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Next intake
Feb 2027
What students like
- Lecturers and staff are helpful and professional
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD
4.5from 1,654 Google reviews
ATAR
73.9 lowest
(76.6 median, 2026)
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Next intake
Feb 2027
Fee
$11,150 a year
(Government-supported place)
Course page for The University of Queensland (opens in a new tab)
The University of Newcastle
Central Coast - Ourimbah, Newcastle - Callaghan, NSW
4.2from 494 Google reviews
ATAR
62.75 lowest
(53.75 median, 2024)
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Website for The University of Newcastle (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Friendly and supportive staff and students
- Welcoming and diverse community
What to weigh up
- Replies can be slow
- Admin processes can be slow
- Support services can be hard to access
The University of New England
Armidale, NSW
3.8from 305 Google reviews
How you study
On campus
(full or part time)
Fee
$6,440 a year
(Government-supported place)
Website for The University of New England (opens in a new tab)