Bachelor of Social Sciences

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) looks at how people and society function and change.

The social sciences are a group of subjects focused around what influences people and society to act in a particular way and how these actions can be monitored and modified. The BSocSc suits independent thinkers with a curiosity about the world and the people who live in it.

The BSocSc offers contemporary and relevant areas of study such as employment relations, social policy, and environmental planning. Whatever your major, you will be examining contemporary issues from a social science perspective. You will be inspired by lecturers who are world-recognised researchers and whose findings inform their teaching.

Research is a major requirement of the BSocSc and there are compulsory research papers within the degree. You can learn how to gather and analyse data using a range of methodologies and how to clearly communicate your findings. The research capabilities you develop through your BSocSc will be invaluable in any career that requires information gathering, analysis of complex issues, thorough reporting and informed decision-making.

BSocSc Benefits

• Offers contemporary and relevant areas of study.
• You can design your degree to suit your interests.
• Especially suited to those enthusiastic about people, policy, planning and research.
• You can learn how to carry out research in a range of areas and be well-prepared for graduate study.

Majors

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Education Studies
• Environmental Planning
• Ethics
• Geography
• History
• Human Development
• Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
• Labour Studies
• Linguistics
• Māori and Pacific Development
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Population Studies
• Psychology
• Public Policy
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Tikanga Māori/Māori Cultural Studies
• Tourism Studies
• Women’s and Gender Studies

BSocSc Career Opportunities

• Community Health Worker
• Demographer
• Diplomat
• Economist
• Employment Relations Advocate
• Environmental Consultant
• Human Resource Manager
• Iwi/Māori Resource
• Development Officer
• Policy Analyst

Specialisations

There are several optional specialisations that are carefully designed to ensure you have a good mastery of a particular area of study. 

Within the Environmental Planning major you may choose to specialise in: Coastal and Marine Environments; Environmental Economics; Freshwater Environments; Public Policy and the Environment; Society, Politics and the Environment; or Terrestrial Environments.

Within the Political Science major you may choose to specialise in: International Relations and Security Studies.

Within the Psychology major you may choose to specialise in: Psychology and Management.

Specialisations in Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Spanish are available to BSocSc students of all majors.

Supporting Subject

You can choose your supporting subject from the list of majors, the subjects listed below or from most subjects offered by other Faculties and Schools of Studies.

• Asian Studies
• English as a Second Language
• Pacific Studies
• Social Sciences Research

Second Major

A second major can be selected in place of a supporting subject from the major subject list above or from most subjects offered by other Faculties and Schools of Studies. Please consult with your Faculty or School of Studies to see how this can fit into your programme.

Practical Experience

Some subjects provide the opportunity for students to undertake work placements, where you gain practical experience in applying what you have learned. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers work placements at 200 and 300 level.

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.

Scholarships

The Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship.

For more information, visit www.waikato.ac.nz/scholarships

Degree Structure

3 years - 360 points

It is recommended that students include 100 level prerequisites for any compulsory papers in their chosen major(s) in the first year of their programme of study.

Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
120 Points	120 Points	120 Points
Major	Supporting Subject	Elective Papers
100 LEVEL	200 LEVEL	300 LEVEL
100 LEVEL	200 LEVEL	300 LEVEL
100 LEVEL	200 LEVEL	300 LEVEL
100 LEVEL	200 LEVEL	200 LEVEL
100 LEVEL	200 LEVEL	200 LEVEL
100 LEVEL	200 LEVEL	300 LEVEL
100 LEVEL
100 LEVEL

Within their overall programme, students must complete at least 35 points, including at least 20 points above 100 level, from a list of methodology papers.