Social Science

By studying UNE’s Bachelor of Social Science degree you will develop a comprehensive and valuable understanding of human societies and social thought, behaviour and relationships in their varied social, psychological and political manifestations, with potential for a rewarding career in social science related areas. You will get a thorough grounding in sociology and psychology, plus you can choose from a broad range of majors to graduate with specialised knowledge. With skills in research, critical analysis and evaluation that are transferable across a range of employment opportunities, you can ensure your career is future fit for life.

Do you want to understand more about what drives human behaviour? Gain in-depth knowledge of the scientific study of human behaviour, as well as research and analytical experience, with UNE's innovative Bachelor of Psychological Science. Delivered flexibly online or on campus, our accredited three-year undergraduate degree is designed to give you a balanced education with a psychology focus.

Along with completing a mandatory minor in Psychological Health and Wellbeing, you will have the freedom to choose electives from any unit offered by UNE. With opportunities to focus your study with a Counselling major or Criminology minor, our course allows you to future fit your career by developing transferable skills that are highly valued in the workplace and opening doors to further advanced study in psychology.

One of our longest-standing degrees, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) is still relevant in today’s world. It equips you with the creative, critical and analytical skills in demand by employers, and is transferable across a range of workplaces. When you study a BA at UNE, you have the freedom to become a specialist in the discipline of your choice.

The field of language studies is increasingly important in our interconnected world. The Bachelor of Language Studies at UNE offers you the opportunity to become proficient in two different languages within just three years. You can also focus on a single language and take elective units from across the UNE catalogue, following your interests and designing your own future fit degree. Whether you're passionate about communicating across cultures, pursuing a career in international relations, or wish to enhance your cognitive abilities, this program provides you with the necessary knowledge and expertise to succeed.

What could be more exciting than landing in a foreign country and immediately being able to speak the language and connect with the local culture? In an ever-changing world, the study of languages has never been more relevant, and our Bachelor of Languages is designed to help you develop proficiency in one or more languages.

The degree caters to anyone with a passion for languages, whether you studied a language at school or not, and includes majors in Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese and Spanish. The degree is interactive and immersive, and includes two trimesters studying in the country or countries of your chosen language/s.

Criminology is the study of crime and our responses to crime. UNE's Bachelor of Criminology investigates factors that cause criminal behaviour and how crime can be prevented within wider society. The course offers a variety of key topics and issues including policing and punishment, rural crime, victimology and how crimes may be prevented in practice and solved through criminal profiling and forensic science. You will get to hone your skills in critical thinking, problem solving and analysis to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

This flexible non-teaching education degree incorporates a wide range of subjects to prepare you to work in a range of educational fields, including training and management environments. With UNE’s Bachelor of Educational Studies, you will learn in a flexible and supportive environment. Hone your skills to be transferable across a range of contexts and future-proof your career.

At the heart of community services is a desire to help people – to promote social justice and inclusion, and enable people to flourish. UNE's flexibly delivered Bachelor of Community Services will enable you to develop the skills to empower individuals, marginalised groups and communities in complex and rapidly changing community and health settings.

This course integrates real-world practice and contextual knowledge with an understanding of the theories and methods underpinning the effective practice of community services, as well as policy issues, and legal and ethical responsibilities that guide this practice.

If you are a Pacific Islander looking to build on your teaching skills with a high-level qualification, UNE’s Bachelor of Education (Pacific Focus) is the degree for you.

Gain the knowledge and skills to teach early childhood, inclusive education, and primary and secondary education in your Pacific Island home. Study online in a timeframe that suits your other commitments. You will be learning from UNE's specialist teaching team that has decades of experience in Pacific Island education.

This course is the next step from our Associate Degree. Our Bachelor’s degree will further your career options and deepen your knowledge to make a difference in your classrooms and community with advanced skills.

Expand and hone your teaching knowledge while building a highly valuable breadth of skills with the UNE Bachelor of Education (K-12 Teaching). This is a dual sector degree giving you the flexibility to teach in both primary and secondary schools. It is accredited with the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) and is designed to meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. In this course you will have the opportunity to specialise in subject areas that interest you most and gain experience in teaching to a wide range of age groups, culminating in sought-after skills to future-proof your education career.

Whether you are looking to re-train to become a Primary or Secondary school teacher, teach different subjects or upgrade your teaching accreditation, the UNE Bachelor of Education (In-Service Conversion) provides a flexible pathway to pivot and grow as an in-demand education professional. Upskill and enhance your on-the-pulse skills for the benefit of your career, your students and the profession at large. Stay relevant and pave the way for a successful teaching career in a supportive, flexible environment.

Special and inclusive education is rapidly evolving, and with it the demand for specialists in the field is larger than ever. UNE’s Bachelor of Special and Inclusive Education (Primary) equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to become a sought-after teacher who makes a valued and rewarding contribution to children’s abilities and development. Create an open and supportive learning environment to engage students with diverse needs and make a real difference in primary schools by helping children develop, grow, and build their confidence.

The UNE Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws provides you with the opportunity to combine your study of law with an area of interest drawn from a wide variety of the arts, humanities and social sciences. As a double degree for the future, it has been developed in response to the needs of today’s rapidly changing workplaces and a growing employer demand for double degree graduates.

Your choice of arts major allows you to become an expert in a discipline of your choice. The legal knowledge and practical skills will also enable you to pursue many pathways in law, benefiting from UNE’s deep expertise in regional, rural and remote legal issues.

By studying law and criminology at UNE, you will gain a broad portfolio of knowledge and skills to future proof your career in a wide variety of professions. In this comprehensive program of study, you will develop contemporary skills in how to write for, research, argue and apply the law, combined with an advanced understanding and capabilities in contemporary criminology topics and issues. Benefiting from UNE’s regional, rural and remote legal and criminology expertise, you will graduate with broad knowledge and specialist skills for greater career flexibility.

Do you dream of a career where you’re helping to address the big issues facing humanity? Or perhaps you crave the excitement of being at the forefront of scientific discovery? Maybe you wish to instil your passion for the environment into future generations? Our Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science is uniquely positioned to help you reach your goals, with wide-spanning knowledge and a diverse set of skills to be adaptable in a rapidly changing world. This combined degree will help lay the foundation for you to acquire the ability to innovate and problem-solve — attributes that are in demand more than ever by employers in Australia and internationally.

UNE’s Bachelor of Education (Secondary Arts) offers a comprehensive program of study that provides you with the knowledge and practical skills to become a highly sought-after secondary school teacher.

Develop your teaching skills in a supportive, flexible environment. Learn how to create open and encouraging learning environments that put your students' individual learning styles at the forefront.

By studying at UNE, you will become an in-demand secondary teacher who makes a difference.

Workplaces value employees who have a broad range of real-world skills, and this combined degree will equip you to excel in today’s dynamic working environment. In our Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business, you’ll gain business knowledge and learn to think like an entrepreneur. You’ll develop creative and/or socio-cultural knowledge, plus skills in critical thinking and communication.

Our degree fosters the accumulation of knowledge and the acquisition of a diverse set of skills, essential to helping you be an independent thinker, and empowering you to create a new future, new career prospects and the ability to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing modern workplace.

Add an area of expertise to your CV and gain an undergraduate qualification — without committing to a full bachelor's degree. You will develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills in the core units. With the minor and elective units, you tailor the course to your specific interests and career objectives by choosing from an extensive selection of arts, humanities and social science units.

With our Advanced Diploma in Arts you have the freedom to explore related subjects, or a range of different topics. With this flexibility, your advanced diploma can be customised to your aspirational and practical needs. It will also qualify you to go on to a Bachelor of Arts if you're keen to continue your studies. Become future fit with these advanced studies. 

Whether you're looking to start the pathway to psychology or you're seeking to complement your existing skillset, UNE's Diploma in Psychological Science will provide you with the foundational grounding in psychological studies that you need. Throughout the course, you will develop essential knowledge and skills in evidence-based science approaches, psychological theories, and research methodologies. You will hone critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as technical and communication skills, ready to sustain independent, life-long learning.

Future-fit yourself for the growing need for psychological science skillsets in a wide variety of sectors.

Aimed at high achievers, Honours is an extra year of study after completing your undergraduate degree. UNE's Bachelor of Social Science with Honours allows you to extend your studies in psychology or sociology, to build on knowledge and skills in social science theory while undertaking research in your chosen topic.

Honours is a valuable, additional qualification that improves career prospects, plus you'll have the option to proceed to higher degree studies — either a masters or PhD. With an honours degree, your skills in critical analysis and research will be transferable across a range of fields, future proofing your career.

Did your arts degree prompt a burning question or a passion for independent research? If so, consider applying for an honours year. A capstone to your formal education, honours is an opportunity to drill deeper into a specialised area, to extend your intellectual range, and sharpen your research capabilities. It will enable advanced communication techniques and deep subject knowledge, to hone your analytical abilities, and gain high-level personal and professional skills. These are valuable attributes that provide a solid foundation for postgraduate study, give you a competitive edge in the job market, and help future proof your career in a rapidly changing world.

Would you like to help contribute to making the world a safer place? When you study UNE's Bachelor of Criminology with Honours you will complete a major research project in an area of criminology that you choose, for example organised crime, child exploitation, the illicit drug trade, or rural crime. Whatever topic you delve into, you will be on track to a rewarding career that could play a key role in informing debate on crime and justice issues in Australia and beyond. You will also acquire skills in critical thinking — skills that are transferable and in demand across a range of professions thereby future proofing your career.

UNE’s Master of Arts is designed to equip you with specialised knowledge as well as a wide range of transferrable skills that employers highly value, such as communication and critical thinking. This course is also a focused pathway to higher degree research.

With a master's degree, you can make a switch to a new career field or gain additional expertise to enhance your existing path. At UNE, you can select a major from 17 specialty areas, dive into research and tailor the program to your interests and career goals. Explore history, linguistics, philosophy, sociology, theatre and more.

In an evolving criminal justice landscape, neuroscience is increasingly recognised for its role in understanding human behaviour, including criminal actions. As the first course of its kind in Australia, UNE's Master of Neuroscience and Criminology provides a unique, multidisciplinary approach, equipping you to explore the neurobiological processes that underlie criminal behaviours—a field of study with vast potential for advancing crime prevention, policy, and rehabilitation efforts.

Whether you're safeguarding a career in criminal justice, law enforcement, mental health, or policy-making, or are a newcomer to the field, this course will immerse you in the interdisciplinary field of neurocriminology, offering insights into the neural underpinnings of criminal behaviour and its broader social implications.

Accelerate your career opportunities with the UNE Master of Teaching (Secondary). Gain the specialist knowledge and skills you need to become a sought-after teacher who makes a difference. Study online in a flexible timeframe that suits your lifestyle. Be positioned at the forefront of educational expertise to make your education career goals a reality.

With the advent of globalisation, issues relating to language and intercultural communication have never been more relevant. UNE's fully online Master of Applied Linguistics will give you the ability to understand the design of language, nuances and context of language and intercultural communication – invaluable skills in an increasingly interconnected world, and especially important when teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).

In a rapidly changing world, our Master of Applied Linguistics can help to ensure your career is future fit for life.

Design a bespoke course and prepare for a rapidly evolving workplace with the UNE Graduate Diploma in Professional Practice. Whether you want to advance your career, hone your skills or embark on a new career direction, we'll work with you to design a course to match your skills and aspirations.

You will have the freedom to assemble your course from a full breadth of subjects, play to your strengths and draw from your experience to achieve your goals. Learn in a way that suits your timeframe and do it all with the support of an expert academic success advisor—with one-on-one guidance from start to finish. You'll be paving your pathway to the next stage of your career.

This first-of-its-kind course offers an innovative approach to understanding criminal behaviour through the lens of neuroscience. As one of the fastest-growing fields in human physiology and behaviour, neuroscience provides critical insights into how the brain functions, what can go wrong in neurobiological processes, and how these factors can influence criminal behaviour. This course allows you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between biological, psychological and social elements that contribute to criminal actions.

Whether you're a seasoned professional in criminology looking to enhance your expertise or you're completely new to the field, this fully online postgraduate degree caters to all levels of experience.

Adapt to an evolving workplace and open the door to new career opportunities with UNE's Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice. Whether you want to create more career choices, hone your specialist skills, or take a new career direction, we will work with you to customise a course to match your skills and aspirations.

Choose from a full breadth of subjects. Avoid getting bogged down in a lengthy, traditional course, and instead, play to your natural strengths, refine your skills and draw on your experience to prepare for the future. And do it all with the support of an expert academic success advisor with 1:1 guidance from start to finish.

Criminology and neuroscience are rapidly evolving fields, with growing recognition of the role that neuroscience plays in understanding human behaviour, including criminal actions. The first course of its kind in Australia, our Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience and Criminology investigates the intricate relationships between brain functions and criminal behaviour, contributing to the emerging field of neurocriminology, a discipline with immense potential for future research and applications.

Whether you're already working in criminal justice, law enforcement or mental health and want to upskill, or you're looking to enter the field for the first time, our flexible introductory course equips you with the knowledge and tools to understand crime through a neurological lens.

Are you a graduate looking to add new skills to your CV to reinforce or redirect your career? Perhaps you are keen to pursue a personal interest in the arts or humanities. Or maybe you are interested in completing a master's but aren't sure if you can commit to a full degree. If any of the above fits your situation, the Graduate Certificate in Arts is the perfect course for you.

Your choice of majors include, but are not limited to, history, philosophy, media and communications, English literature, classical languages, writing, and a range of modern cultural studies. In addition, you will be trained to discover and process information, think independently, and communicate effectively.

A Doctor of Philosophy is the pinnacle of academic study. Using rigorous and systematic research, combined with critical analysis, you will add to society's understanding of complex issues at the cutting-edge of your discipline or profession.

When you complete your PhD at UNE, you will be recognised as an expert in your area of study. Your original discoveries and innovations will be applied to benefit society and industry in Australia and worldwide.

Embrace your passion for person-centred clinical practice and pursue research excellence in the rapidly changing world of clinical psychology. UNE’s PhD in Clinical Psychology prepares you to provide high-quality clinical services as a registered psychologist, whilst you produce world-class original research in our collaborative, flexible and innovative research training environment. Complete your clinical placement in our state-of-the-art UNE Psychology Clinic, and future proof your career with clinical skills and proven research experience.

High quality research and analysis allows us to better understand the complex issues we face in industry and society. With UNE's Master of Philosophy by research, your original findings and insights will add to the body of knowledge and inform decision-making in your specialist area.

You will work independently, with personalised support from recognised experts in your area of study every step of the way. Expand your expertise, hone your research skills, and immediately apply your knowledge in a research topic of your choice.

The world is full of possibilities, with so much to discover and learn. There are endless opportunities to enrich your knowledge to prepare for the future, but what if you don’t want to undertake a full degree? And how can you zero-in on the subjects that matter most to you? That’s what a Non-Award with UNE will help you to achieve.

Studying a Non-Award means you can learn without the need to complete entire course requirements or take on a full course load.  Whether it’s a language you want to learn, a business unit to enhance your career, an improvement of your IT skills, an update on education principles or developing your management style, Non-Award study gives you the flexibility and control to explore what matters to you.

If you are enrolled at another university, you can choose to study subjects at UNE that will count towards your course. Apply as a cross-institutional student directly and complete one or several individual subjects (units) from the full scope of UNE's discipline areas.