Program Overview

Bachelor of Social Sciences

The Bachelor of Social Sciences challenges your thinking about the world and its people. You'll explore contemporary social issues, human interactions, and how these can be understood, monitored, and influenced to create meaningful change.

Points and Duration

• The total number of points to gain this qualification and how long this is expected to take full-time.
• 360 points, 3 years

Locations

• The study locations where the qualification is offered.
• Hamilton, Tauranga
• Papers offered differ by location. Find a Paper for full location info.

Area of Study

• This shows which Faculty or School you can study this qualification under.
• School of Arts
• School of Education
• Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies
• School of Psychological and Social Sciences
• School of Law, Politics and Philosophy

Start Dates

• Which trimester this qualification can be started in.
• Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Why Study the Bachelor of Social Sciences?

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) provides expert-led education from one of three key areas, depending on your chosen area of interest or major.

• Te Wānanga o Ngā Kete | Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences
• Te Kura Toi Tangata | School of Education
• Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies

As a BSocSc student, you will explore the key drivers behind human behaviour and societal actions. You’ll develop critical analysis skills, research capabilities, and the ability to gather, analyse, and report information. These skills will equip you for informed decision-making under the guidance of leading researchers. The BSocSc also adopts a practical approach with subject-specific experiences and opportunities available.

Graduates will shape the societies of tomorrow, developing a deep understanding of social forces, economics, and politics while driving meaningful change.

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

Degree Information

Plan Your Study

• Choose a subject
• Major subject options:
  • Anthropology
  • Criminology
  • Economics
  • Education and Society
  • Environmental Planning
  • Geography
  • History
  • Human Development
  • Human Rights
  • Kaupapa Māori Psychology
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Māori and Indigenous Studies
  • Pacific and Indigenous Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Population Studies
  • Psychology
  • Screen and Media Studies
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology

Year 1

• 100 Level Major
• One from List A: Academic Foundations
  • ARTSC103 Rights and Reasons
  • ARTSC106 Climate Change and Society
  • ENSLA103 English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Writing
  • ENSLA202 English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Speaking
• ARTSC111 Social Science Theory and Action
• Field of the Degree 100 Level
• Elective

Year 2

• 200 Level Major
• One from List B: Cultural Perspectives
  • ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
  • ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
  • ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
  • ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
  • DSIGN252 Cultural Perspectives for Design
• Choose either: PSYCH211, or SSRES200
• Elective

Year 3

• 300 Level Major
• One from List C: Work-Integrated Learning
  • ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
  • ARTSW300 Arts and Cultural Festivals
  • ARTSW301 Professional Practice in the Arts
  • ARTSW302 Work-related Arts Research Project
  • GEOGY328 Geographical Information Systems
• Elective

List A: Academic Foundations

• ARTSC103 Rights and Reasons
• ARTSC106 Climate Change and Society
• ENSLA103 English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Writing
• ENSLA202 English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Speaking

List B: Cultural Perspectives

• Any Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies paper, or
  • ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
  • ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
  • ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
  • ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
  • DSIGN252 Cultural Perspectives for Design
  • ENGLI200 Global Fictions
  • EDUCA200 Te Hononga Tangata
  • GEOGY219 Māori Lands and Communities
  • INTLC101 International Languages and Cultures
  • INTLC221 Understanding East Asia
  • INTLC225 The French-speaking World from Astérix to Zombies
  • LINGS203 Language, Society and Culture
  • MAIST Any Māori and Indigenous Studies paper
  • PAIST Any Pacific and Indigenous Studies paper

List C: Work-Integrated Learning

• ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
• ARTSW300 Arts and Cultural Festivals
• ARTSW301 Professional Practice in the Arts
• ARTSW302 Work-related Arts Research Project
• GEOGY328 Geographical Information Systems
• LINGS301 Research Apprenticeship
• PHILO318 Ethics at Work
• POLSC318 Global Environmental Politics and Policy
• POPST300 Population Studies Work-related Project
• PSYCH301 Psychology Research Assistantship
• SOCSC301 Work-integrated learning - Work-related Project
• WAIKT363 Impact Studio
• WRITE396 Writing Studies Work Placement

Subjects

• Choose a subject
• Major subject options:
  • Anthropology
  • Criminology
  • Economics
  • Education and Society
  • Environmental Planning
  • Geography
  • History
  • Human Development
  • Human Rights
  • Kaupapa Māori Psychology
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Māori and Indigenous Studies
  • Pacific and Indigenous Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Population Studies
  • Psychology
  • Screen and Media Studies
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology

Minor Subjects

• Or undertake a minor in any other subject within the University
  • Crime Science
  • Esports
  • Ethics
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Gender and Sexuality Studies
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • International Relations and Security Studies
  • Public Policy

Entry Requirements

• Domestic students
• International students
• There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato
  1. NCEA University Entrance
  2. Admission at entrance level
  3. Discretionary entrance
  4. University Entrance prior to 2015
  5. Special admission
• 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.

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic students
• International students
• Estimated fees: $7,542 - $8,787 per year
• Domestic tuition fees
• Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
• Scholarships: Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.

Study in Tauranga

• Students can complete all three years of the Bachelor of Social Sciences in Tauranga, with major options in the following subjects
  • Education and Society
  • Geography
  • Human Development
  • Law
  • Māori and Indigenous Studies
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology

Choose the Area to Study the Bachelor of Social Sciences

• Depending on your interests, the following three areas are available to choose to study your BSocSc with
  • Te Wānanga o Ngā Kete Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences
  • Te Kura Toi Tangata | School of Education
  • Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies

Te Wānanga o Ngā Kete Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences

• Studying the BSocSc under the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences, 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 are ranked among the top 350 in the world (QS Rankings)
  • Geography
  • Law
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Te Kura Toi Tangata | School of Education

• The Bachelor of Social Sciences with the School of Education will help you to develop expertise in lifelong learning, education, community development, and workplace learning.
• You'll explore contemporary social issues, ethics, and sustainability while gaining skills in research, analysis, and decision-making.
• Guided by experienced lecturers, you’ll learn to understand and interpret social and educational trends in Aotearoa and beyond.
• The programme equips you with practical knowledge and critical thinking skills that can be applied across various professional settings.
• Graduates are highly sought after in industries such as health, education, policy development, and government.
• With a strong foundation in theory and real-world application, you'll be prepared to make a meaningful impact in diverse sectors.
• Major Subjects:
  • Human Development
  • Education and Society
• Minor Subjects:
  • Adult Learning
  • Relational and Inclusive Practices
• Practical experience: 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.

Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies

• Studying the Bachelor of Social Sciences degree with the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies will help you to develop an appreciation of indigenous and global issues such as languages, treaties, resource management, sovereignty and equality, which 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

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
• Public Policy
• Resources and Environmental Planning
• Social Policy
• Sociology

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

What Our Students Are Saying

• I would recommend Waikato. The lecturers treat you more like an equal and it’s a more personalised experience.
• I want to work with my people and work on our whenua. The University of Waikato was the first choice for me – the Māori lecturers and the Māori history here meant that I felt the pull to come to Waikato over any other university.