Social Science in Australia

Expand your knowledge and professional skills in animal sciences.

The Doctor of Social Sciences (DSocSci) is a professional doctorate which is designed to respond to the rapid changes taking place in professional workplaces that create demands on industry professionals to upgrade their qualifications.

The degree involves units of coursework training (12 credit points) and a thesis of 50,000-80,000 words, for candidates not also submitting a significant creative project, or a thesis of 20,000-30,000 words for candidates also submitting a significant creative project.

The DSocSci differs from a PhD. The thesis component may have a tighter word limit than a PhD thesis, and it should be focused on questions of professional practice, such as policy analysis and advice in the case of the social sciences, or critical exegesis in the case of theses accompanying creative works.

The exact nature of the significant creative project will be determined by the disciplinary norms of the department through which a student is enrolled. Applicants must discuss their proposed significant creative projects with the department to ensure that the department has the relevant expertise to supervise the projects.

Examples of significant creative projects include novels, biographies and memoirs, sets of short stories, poetic works, plays and other performance scripts, performed pieces, audio and/or video works, documentaries, collections of feature articles, and documented interventions in public debates, such as submissions, reports and major essays.

From 2021, Higher Degree by Research students will be required to complete some coursework as part of their candidature. Students will have access to a range of specialist units of study relevant for research students.

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.

Build on your successes in the Bachelor of International Relations by completing Honours to enhance essential employability skills in research, critical evaluation, problem-solving and oral and written communication. By completing Honours you'll gain a deeper understanding of research theory, design and practice. You'll study advanced theory in politics and international relations and complete a dedicated research methodology subject, further developing essential employability skills in problem solving and oral and written communication. To apply your knowledge and skills, you'll write a thesis under the supervision of expert staff to produce sustainable, evidence-based solutions to the world's biggest challenges. By graduating with Honours, you'll not only gain an edge in an increasingly competitive job market, you'll also have the opportunity to advance to further coursework or research at Master's level or, for high achievers, direct entry into a PhD.

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.