Bachelors in Social Science in Australia

Make a difference in rehabilitation healthcare with the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, accredited with the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

The Bachelor of International and Global Studies (Honours) is an intensive year-long program of advanced study with research at its centre. Students take seminar classes and research and write a substantial thesis on a topic they work out in collaboration with a supervisor who is a specialist in the relevant field.

Where the pass degrees give students the opportunity to explore a range of fields and concentrate on one or two areas (the majors), the honours year enables students to engage with the subject of their major in depth and learn how to practise its methods by undertaking research of their own.

This course may be suitable for undergraduate students with one major.

The Honours year is both a preparation for postgraduate study and a capstone to an undergraduate degree. For some students, honours is the culmination of their formal education, an experience that extends their intellectual range, hones their abilities in research, analysis, and communication, and helps them develop the body of personal and professional skills needed to see a major project though to completion. For other students, honours is the first step on the path to careers as professional researchers and academics.

How can we conceptualise the most important challenges confronting our global communities, devise new and innovative solutions to these challenges, and communicate the solutions effectively? The Bachelor of Global Studies course has been designed for students who seek to be leaders in applying their knowledge to these global challenges.

The course aims to develop leadership for social change focussing on key capabilities: creativity, teamwork, cross-cultural collaboration, critical thinking, self-learning, analytical writing skills. We seek to cultivate a rich understanding of the interplay of local, regional and global forces and equip you with sharp analytical abilities and flexible, imaginative and well-informed disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. All core units will enable you to apply your learning in practical and professional 'real life' contexts.

A key component of the course is a required period of study overseas** that can be completed intensively at a Monash international campus or at a prestigious partner university.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Global Studies gives you a strong grounding in the issues facing key regions and countries around the world. We've designed this degree to introduce you to global problems and their policy responses, so you'll develop the knowledge and skills to tackle the challenges of the future.

Study core subjects examining the history of international relations and geopolitics, contemporary security issues – such as American power, the rise of China, contemporary armed conflict and terrorism – and the emerging challenges of human and environmental security.

Look at international cooperation and conflict. Analyse the dynamics of power, sovereignty and security, exploring transformational changes in 21st century international relations. Investigate the powerful role of international law – including humanitarian, environmental and refugee law.

Whatever your ambition, tailor your degree with specially curated majors and minors that allow you to explore the geopolitical and humanitarian forces shaping our world. Choose from majors such as International relations, human rights, conflict and negotiation, Asian politics and security, government and policy, sustainability and development, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Spanish, Greek, French and Italian. You can also broaden your career opportunities with a range of optional second majors and double majors.

Global experiences are a vital part of global studies. Get out of the classroom and into the real world with a study experience at one of our overseas partner universities and build both your skills and your professional network. You'll also have the opportunity to do an internship, either in Australia or overseas, that's tailored to your career goals.*

You'll learn:

• Global issues and organisations
  • Explore the complex systems, structures, laws and practices that shape global issues. Broaden your understanding and consider a range of political, social, legal and cultural perspectives.
• Problem solving and critical thinking
  • Learn how to identify and analyse international and global problems and formulate responses to them.
• Theory and practice of politics
  • Build your understanding of political systems, actors and processes. Understand how they work at a local, national and global level.
• Grassroots development and sustainability
  • Explore how global decisions can impact individual communities and the environments we all depend on.

When you embark on a Bachelor of International Studies, you’ll examine an array of fascinating topics, such as global security, earth in crisis, human rights and refugees, cross-cultural communication, trade, the rise of China and Australia's relations with the US, Asia and the Pacific Islands.

You can pursue your interests by choosing two of these majors:

• Global Politics and Peace – You will engage with the most challenging issues of the 21st century, from the 9/11 attacks signalling the age of globalised terrorism, tackling civil war via conflict resolution, weathering the Global Financial Crisis, Brexit's impact on European regionalism, populist trends undermining democracy, to the implications of China's rising power, Trump's presidency, and the COVID-19 pandemic for international relations.
• International Law – This major allows you to examine topics of global significance including the development of treaties, navigating trade wars, human rights advocacy at the United Nations; wildlife trafficking; global governance of water, mining, fisheries and forests; maritime security notably the South China sea dispute; and combating the nefarious underworld of transnational crime.
• Languages and Cultures – You can pursue a language and its culture to an advanced level (Chinese, Classical Languages, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese or Spanish). This typically includes an exploration of that country’s history, literature and film, as well as the option of an in-country language unit.
• Societies – You will examine an eclectic mix of topics, from communications and literature, to geography, indigenous and peace studies, sociology and studies in religion. The concerns in this major will ultimately determine the future of humanity such as the clash of civilisations, mitigating climate change, food insecurity and natural disasters, as well as managing the world refugee crisis and the diabolical challenges posed by megacities.

All students have the option of an exchange trimester overseas, studying at one of UNE's partner universities in North America, Europe or Asia. This gives you valuable in-country experience that is highly regarded by employers.

The Bachelor of International Studies will set you up to pursue a lifetime of fascinating careers, whichever direction you wish to take your study journey.

UNE’s Bachelor of International Studies enables you to establish or enhance your career and make a difference in the world via your vocation and as an engaged citizen. A myriad of opportunities will be open to you upon graduation. During the course, you will get to:

• Complete your studies on campus or completely online, at home in your own time.
• Have the option to travel overseas and get credit towards your degree by studying at one of our partner universities.
• Elect to study a language as one of your majors. You may then wish to transfer to the four-year Bachelor of International and Language Studies on completion of two years (or part-time equivalent) of the three-year degree, including the opportunity to study abroad for a year. This can be an immensely rewarding experience and invaluable to building language skills.

UNE is Australia’s oldest regional university and a pioneer in the delivery of distance education. Year after year, students award us 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide, so no matter whether you choose to study online or on campus, you are in very good hands.