HomeCoursesHumanities and social sciences courses
Humanities and social sciences courses
25 humanities and social sciences qualifications in Australia, compared side by side: cost, duration, providers and where each one leads.
- Qualifications
- 25
on this page
- Providers
- 116
across all qualifications
- Median pay
- $114,600–$120,700
across roles in this field
- Employment growth*
- +21%
2 of 2 roles in shortage
Which of these is right for you?
We don't recommend one provider over another, but four things usually decide which qualification is the right one to start with.
- How much time can you give it?
- A certificate usually runs months, not years, and gets you working sooner. A degree is a multi-year commitment, but it's the only route into a registered profession like pharmacist.
- Do you want to study online, on campus, or both?
- Check each qualification's study modes below. Some are online only, some require placements or on-campus units even in a mostly online course.
- What's your entry point?
- If you're starting from school leaver or career change with no background in the field, the lowest rung on the ladder is usually the realistic start, not the top qualification.
- Which role are you aiming for?
- Some roles need one specific qualification. Others accept several. The roles section below says which qualification on this page actually gets you there.
The humanities and social sciences qualifications
25 qualifications in this field. Each links through to cost, duration and the providers that teach it.
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts
38 providersBachelor degree2 to 3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Social Science
10 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Diploma of Arts
10 providersDiploma0.67 to 1 yearView qualification →Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
7 providersBachelor degree3 to 4 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
5 providersBachelor degree3 yearsPsychologistView qualification →Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
4 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Diploma in Arts
4 providersDiploma1 yearView qualification →Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)
3 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Social Sciences
3 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Associate Degree in Arts
2 providersAssociate Degree2 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Archaeology
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts (Advanced)
2 providersBachelor degree3 to 4 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts (Cultural Studies)
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts (English)
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts (Extended)
2 providersBachelor degree4 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts (History)
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations)
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts in History
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts in Japanese
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsPsychologistView qualification →Bachelor of Education (Secondary Arts)
2 providersBachelor degree4 yearsSecondary School TeacherView qualification →Bachelor of Human Rights
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Philosophy
2 providersBachelor degree3 to 4 yearsView qualification →Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
2 providersBachelor degree3 yearsPsychologistView qualification →Diploma in Social Sciences
2 providersDiploma1 yearView qualification →
What humanities and social sciences study leads to
The 2 roles where a humanities and social sciences qualification is a recognised route in, which qualification on this page it is, and what else you need.
Psychologist
The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) are a step on the way, not the whole route. Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Median salary for the role
$114,600
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO Occupation data, February 2026.
Secondary School Teacher
The direct route is the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Arts). Complete accredited secondary initial-teacher education with the required teaching subjects, placements and assessments, then satisfy jurisdiction registration requirements. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Median salary for the role
$120,700
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO Occupation data, February 2026.