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Bachelor of Social Science (BSSC) - BSocSc

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 909291; Distance education: 909295

CRICOS code (International applicants): 059206K

 On-campusDistance education
Semester intake:Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 3 (November)
Campus:Toowoomba -
Fees:Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Standard duration:3 years full-time, 6 years part-time 

Contact us

Future Australian and New Zealand students  Future International students  Current students 

Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315
Email: studyarts@usq.edu.au  

Phone: +61 7 4631 5543
Email: international@usq.edu.au 

Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 2285
Email usq.support@usq.edu.au 

In this section:

Program focus

Interdisciplinary Social Science major

This Major addresses the core aims of the Program in a more focused way, particularly by (a) fostering those skills in theorising and critical appraisal that help human beings make more sense of their lives, and which are useful in a rapidly changing labour market, and (b) providing a broad interdisciplinary understanding of people, society and human services within society. Through interdisciplinary study, students will develop a knowledge and intuitive understanding of the ‘boundaries’ of different social-scientific disciplines, and begin to form their own opinions about the relative strengths and weaknesses of disciplinary and interdisciplinary.

Career opportunities

The Interdisciplinary Social Science major is a flexible degree appropriate to a changing and flexible labour market. It will be particularly useful for those who want to work in areas such as social research and community welfare. It helps students gain a blend of critical appraisal and consultative skills in tasks including community consultation and policy analysis, skills which can open doors to a wide range of careers and which help students to make more sense of their lives.

Social Justice major

This Major looks at the impact of human social and cultural structures, processes and relations on a range of human problems including inequality, illness, poverty, the environment, issues of power and control, violence and war. It empowers graduates with a range of skills, attitudes and knowledge to promote social justice, through, for example: building and maintaining non-violent human relationships at all levels of society; sustaining human development by seeking positive and fairer societies; promoting human rights; fostering reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people; addressing problems of ethnic and gender violence; contributing to economic justice; and promoting environmental sustainability.

Career opportunities

This major will be useful to those who want to work with people, and those contemplating a career in public sector organisations, including government departments at all levels (local, state, and federal) and statutory bodies, as well as within peak representative and lobby organisations. Some graduates will pursue in not-for-profit organisations that specialise in community relations, community engagement, community research and communities undergoing processes of change. Graduates will also be employable in relief agencies serving communities in crisis or following crisis and disruption. The United Nations, and humanitarian aid and relief organisations, such as World Vision, Austcare and Community Aid Abroad, are some examples where people with an understanding and background in social justice are needed and employment opportunities exist.

Behavioural Science major

This major is designed to develop an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and experience.

Career opportunities

With a Behavioural Science major , you will be trained to undertake research and analyse data across diverse social and cultural issues. In addition, you will be able to work in the human services, welfare, counselling, health policy, health promotion and related fields.

Anthropology major

This major provides students with understanding and insight into the nature of human behaviour and how people live and work together in various kinds of social groups. The study of Anthropology helps students learn to understand the physical and cultural similarities and differences between people

Career opportunities

Career options are available in social planning, community development and social policy, as well as in a wide range of public service and welfare occupations, and in cultural heritage and Native Title consultancy. To become a professional anthropologist or sociologist, graduates must undertake a fourth year Honours degree.

Indigenous Studies major

The major gives students an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives and ways of thinking and allows one to see the value and contribution of Indigenous Australians to contemporary Australian society. This major will be of particular value to students studying nursing, education, anthropology or journalism.

Career opportunities

Employment fields range across a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including public service and government, community work, teaching and research.

International Relations major

This major is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of Australian domestic and external affairs. A range of theoretical perspectives is examined, including institutional structures, policy frameworks, political systems and ideologies, economies and security regimes in various regions. Students will also study the complexities of cross-cultural interaction and issues, which will be developed analytically through issue-based, problem-solving approaches.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities exist in public service, ethnic affairs, foreign and defence affairs, business, international trade and tourism.

Language and Culture major

The Language and Culture major offers students the choice of study in either German or Mandarin Chinese. The Language and Culture major will equip students for the challenges and opportunities of global citizenship in the twenty-first century, teaching competencies in both language and cultural knowledge. It uses the experience of language learning as a gateway into the broader study of German and Chinese history, politics, culture, traditions, customs and national identities. Language and Culture teaches foreign language skills as a means for students to acquire an enhanced cross-cultural awareness and to prepare them effectively for the real-life possibility of studying and living abroad. This major will be fully available both on-campus and online.

Career opportunities

The study of language and culture equips students for a variety of careers, including international business, trade and diplomatic services, journalism and foreign correspondent work, arts and the creative professions and teaching abroad. Language and culture is also the ideal preparation for overseas professional placements or exchanges in fields such as business, engineering, sciences and information technology.

Communication and Media Studies major

This major combines the study of human communication theory with the development of human communication skills. Students will analyse the areas of language, film, television and culture, while learning about interpersonal, group and mass communication, and communication in multicultural societies. Students will develop an understanding of communication problems in society by examining communication processes at all levels.

Career opportunities

Opportunities exist in public relations, communication policy, management, administration and the arts, culture and media industries, teaching and community development.

History major

This major provides a challenge for those with an enquiring mind. History is not unlike a forensic science; it examines clues, assesses the reliability of witnesses and seeks out the reasons and truth behind an event. Historians have insight into what events have happened and why. Students will examine world civilisations, historic and contemporary Australia, race relations in Australian history, European and American history, and the 20th century.

Career opportunities

Employment fields range from teaching, librarianship, museum consultancy and archival work to journalism, media and the public service.

Asian Studies major

This major combines studies in an Asian language and its culture together with theoretical perspectives that apply to Asian institutional structures, policy frameworks, political systems and ideologies, economies and security regimes. Students will also study the complexities of cross-cultural interaction and issues.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities exist in public service, ethnic affairs, foreign and defence affairs, business, international trade and tourism.