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BSocSc
Bachelor of Social Sciences

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (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.

Tare Makope

Depending on what area of interest or major subject you choose, your BSocSc will be taught by one of three areas:

School of Arts and School of Social Sciences

As a Bachelor of Social Sciences student you will explore the drivers and influences behind humanity and why society acts in particular ways. You will develop invaluable critical analysis skills, research capabilities and skills in information gathering, analysis, reporting and informed decision making under the expert guidance of our world-recognised researchers.

Graduates will help improve the societies of tomorrow with the ability to look beyond preconceptions, understand the interplay between social forces, economics and politics and equip themselves to drive change. A BSocSc will challenge your thinking about the world and the people who live in it.

We offer a range of exciting subjects and specialisations to choose from. Three of our major subjects – Geography, Philosophy and Sociology – are ranked among the top 250 in the world (QS Rankings).

The full three years of the BSocSc can be completed in Tauranga. Students can major in 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, Education and Society, and Digital Learning. 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.

Apply to enrol

Key information

Years: 3
Points: 360
BSocSc Study Locations:Hamilton, Tauranga
Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info.
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $6,591 - $7,608 per year
See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year
Estimated Fees* (International): $28,025 - $35,420 per year
Entry Requirements: Undergraduate International
Area of Study:
*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.

Degree Planner

Degree planner — Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) overview - School of Arts, School of Psychology and School of Social Sciences

This structure applies to study in the School of Arts or School of Social Sciences, starting in 2020.

Year 1

100 Level
Major

100 Level
Major

One from List A:
Academic Foundations

ARTSC111
Social Science Theory and Action

Field of the Degree
100 level

Field of the Degree
100 level

Elective

Elective

Year 2

200 Level
Major

200 Level
Major

200 Level
Major

One from List B:
Cultural Perspectives

PSYCH211 or SSRES200

Elective

Elective

Elective

Year 3

300 Level
Major

300 Level
Major

300 Level
Major

300 Level
Major

One from List C:
Work-Integrated Learning

Elective

Elective

Elective

  • Major
  • Compulsory
  • Elective

Papers not linked above:

  • SSRES200 Social Science Research Methods
  • PSYCH211 Understanding Psychological Research
This information is provisional and subject to change.

Degree planner — Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) overview - Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education

This structure applies to study in Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education, starting in 2021.

Majors under this School include Digital Learning, Education and Society and Human Development.

Year 1

100 level
Major

100 level
Major

One from List A:
Academic Foundations

ARTSC111
Social Science Theory and Action

One of
EDSOC101 or HMDEV100

Field of the Degree 100 level

Elective

Elective

Year 2

200 level
Major

200 level
Major

200 level
Major

EDUCA200
Te Hononga Tāngata

One from List B

Elective

Elective

Elective

Year 3

300 level
Major

300 level
Major

300 level
Major

300 level
Major

One of
EDUWK300 or EDUWK363

Elective

Elective

Elective

  • Major
  • Compulsory
  • Elective

Papers

100 level
200 level
  • EDUCA210 Learning Through Life: Contexts and Considerations
  • PSYCH211 Understanding Psychological Research
  • SSRES200 Social Science Research Methods
This information is provisional and subject to change.

Degree planner — Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) overview - Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies

This structure applies to study in the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, starting in 2020.

Year 1

100 Level Major

100 Level Major

MAORI100
Kōkiri: Academic Skills for Indigenous Studies

MAORI103
Intro to Māori, Pacific & Indigenous Studies

Field of
MAORI or PACIS 100 Level

Field of
MAORI or PACIS 100 Level

Elective

Elective

Year 2

200 Level Major

200 Level Major

200 Level Major

Field of
MAORI or PACIS 200 Level

Field of
MAORI or PACIS 200 Level

Elective

Elective

Elective

Year 3

300 Level Major

300 Level Major

300 Level Major

300 Level Major

MAORI300
Working with Indigenous Communities*

Elective

Elective

Elective

  • Major
  • Compulsory
  • Elective

*Students should include MAORI300 Working with Indigenous Communities or any other approved Work-Integrated Learning paper.

This information is provisional and subject to change.

Choose a major

Or undertake a minor in any other subject within the University.

Career opportunities

  • Community Educator
  • Community Health Worker
  • Demographer
  • Diplomat
  • Economist
  • Educational Software Developer
  • Employment Relations Advocate
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Ethics Advisor
  • Human Resource Manager
  • Industry Trainer
  • Iwi or Māori Resource Development Officer
  • Learning Application Development
  • Policy Analyst
  • Social Services Advocate
  • Youth or Family Worker

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 [email protected] as there may be other pathways that you can take to study in this field.

Study in Tauranga

Major subjects available in Tauranga are:

Scholarships and prizes

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

Find your scholarship

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

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.

Minors available in Tauranga

A selection of subjects are available in Tauranga. As part of your BSocSc You can complete a 60-point minor options in any of these subjects:

Your minor subject study could include some papers that are taught online.

Contacts

Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.

Student Centre
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528) or 07 838 4176
Email: [email protected]

Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.

Phone: +64 7 8384610
Email: [email protected]

Enquire Now