Bachelor of Social Sciences
The BSocSc will challenge your thinking about the world and the people who live in it. The degree focuses on contemporary social issues, the ways in which humans interact with these issues and how such actions can be monitored and modified.
360 points, 3 years
Hamilton, Tauranga, Online
Papers offered differ by location. Find a Paper for full location info.
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Why study the Bachelor of Social Sciences?
Depending on your chosen area of interest or major, your BSocSc will be taught by experts from one of three areas:
Te Wānanga o Ngā Kete Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences
As a Bachelor of Social Sciences student, you will explore the drivers and influences behind human behaviour and societal actions. You'll develop critical analysis skills, research capabilities, and the ability to gather, analyse, and report information—equipping yourself for informed decision-making under the expert guidance of world-recognised researchers.
Graduates will contribute to shaping the societies of tomorrow, armed with the ability to look beyond preconceptions, understand the interplay between social forces, economics, and politics, and drive meaningful change. A BSocSc will challenge your understanding of the world and its people.
We offer a range of exciting subjects and specialisations to choose from. Five of our major subjects—Geography, Law, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology—are ranked among the top 350 in the world (QS Rankings).
The full three years of the BSocSc can be completed in Tauranga. Students can major in Law, Political Science, Psychology, Social Policy and Sociology.
Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education
Everyone has a stake in the future of learning. The Bachelor of Social Sciences with Te Kura Toi Tangata will develop your expertise in lifelong learning and teaching across all areas of society, including adult education, community development, and workplace learning.
A Bachelor of Social Sciences will challenge your thinking about the world and the people who live in it. Contemporary social issues and concepts of social responsibility will be explored through teaching, learning and education. The degree offers social science majors in Human Development, and Education and Society. It offers minors in Adult Learning, and Relational and Inclusive Practices, along with core papers on teaching and learning.
With a focus on critical and creative thinking, ethics, and sustainability, our students gain the transferable skills needed to understand and interpret educational and social trends in Aotearoa and around the world, and apply these across many different professional settings. Highly sought after by employers, our students develop research skills in information-gathering, analysis, reporting, and decision-making under the expert guidance of our world-renowned lecturers.
Our teaching staff are experienced, meaning that students benefit from a well-developed grounding in theory and the meaningful practical knowledge needed to succeed.
We see our graduates making a difference in many industries, including for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, health, community and policy development, and local and central government.
Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies
This degree will help you to develop an appreciation of indigenous and global issues. An understanding of indigenous topics such as languages, treaties, resource management, sovereignty and equality are all integral in today’s multicultural world. Couple these learnings with an insight into Tikanga Māori practices to equip you for the diverse workforce in New Zealand and abroad.
You can choose from our subject majors of Pacific and Indigenous Studies or Māori and Indigenous Studies.
Career Opportunities
- Employment Relations Advocate
- Iwi or Māori Resource Development Officer
- Community Health Worker
- Diplomat
- Environmental Consultant
- Human resources manager
- Policy Analyst
- Social Services Advocate
- Youth or Family Worker
- Ethics Advisor
360 points, 3 years
Hamilton, Tauranga, Online
Papers offered differ by location. Find a Paper for full location info.
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Degree information
-
Plan your study -
Subjects Choose a subject
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information.
Browse BSocSc subjects Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
See below for majors available in Tauranga.
Minor subjects Or undertake a minor in any other subject within the University.
-
Entry Requirements There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
You will be eligible to apply for this degree if you have University Entrance and meet any additional requirements for the qualification. All other applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Some first-year papers may have specific prerequisites, so please check the Catalogue of Papers carefully.
If you do not meet the prerequisites, please contact recruitment@waikato.ac.nz as there may be other pathways that you can take to study in this field.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
-
Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$7,183 - $8,290 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$30,895 - $40,220 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
-
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
See below for majors available in Tauranga.
Or undertake a minor in any other subject within the University.
There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
You will be eligible to apply for this degree if you have University Entrance and meet any additional requirements for the qualification. All other applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Some first-year papers may have specific prerequisites, so please check the Catalogue of Papers carefully.
If you do not meet the prerequisites, please contact recruitment@waikato.ac.nz as there may be other pathways that you can take to study in this field.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
Estimated fees
$7,183 - $8,290 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$30,895 - $40,220 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Study in Tauranga
Major subjects available in Tauranga are:
Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours
Requirements
The Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours (BSocSc(Hons)) involves two semesters of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. The BSocSc(Hons) comprises 120 points at 500 level, of which 30 points must be in research, normally a 30 point dissertation or an approved equivalent. The BSocSc(Hons) is awarded with classes of honours.
Entry
In general, to be admitted to the BSocSc(Hons) you must have a B grade average in the 300 level papers of your undergraduate major subject. You need to have majored in the same subject for your undergraduate degree as that in which you intend to enrol at graduate level. In some cases, a substantial undergraduate supporting subject may be a sufficient prerequisite.
A number of the graduate subjects/programmes are interdisciplinary in nature and may accept students with appropriate undergraduate majors in other relevant subjects. Admission criteria may vary so please consult the appropriate programme Graduate Adviser for their specific admission criteria.
BSocSc(Hons) Subjects:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Education and Society
- Environmental Planning
- Geography
- History
- Human Development
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Pacific and Indigenous Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Population Studies and Demography
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Resources and Environmental Planning
- Social Policy
- Sociology
Political Science
International Relations and Security Studies, although not available for honours, may be taken as a subject for the Postgraduate Diploma.
Flexibility
You may take up to 60 points from other subjects, of which up to 30 points may be taken from outside the subjects listed for the degree. You should discuss your intended programme of study with the Graduate Adviser in each of the Faculties or Schools concerned. Some subjects have specific guidelines for numbers and types of papers outside the subject.
Graduate Study Options
Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours
Master of Education
Master of Social Sciences
Graduate Certificate
Graduate Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Diploma
Master of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Practical experience
The BSocSc adopts a practical approach with subject-specific experiences and opportunities available.
As well as developing skills in class within the School of Education's Social Sciences degree, all students have the opportunity to apply and extend their learning in a community work placement at 300 level.