Bachelor of Social Sciences

Bachelor of Social Sciences

You'll explore the drivers and influences behind humanity and why society acts in particular ways when you study a Bachelor of Social Sciences at Waikato. 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.

Waikato's Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) will challenge your thinking about the world and the people who live in it. Composed largely as a research-orientated degree, the BSocSc covers contemporary and relevant areas of study such as employment relations, social policy and environmental planning.

You'll develop invaluable research capabilities and skills in information gathering, analysis, reporting and informed decision making under the expert guidance of our world-recognised researchers.

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

This degree may also be studied at the University of Waikato in Tauranga.

Career opportunities

• Community Health Worker
• Demographer
• Diplomat
• Economist
• Employment Relations Advocate
• Environmental Consultant
• Ethics Adviser
• Human Resource Manager
• Iwi or Māori Resource Development Officer
• Policy Analyst

Practical experience

The BSocSc adopts a practical approach with subject-specific experiences and opportunities available to you. This includes environmental planning field trips, labs for studying animal behaviour and the Traffic and Road Safety (TARS) lab for studying driving behaviour.

Many of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ degrees offer work placement opportunities or projects with businesses and community groups. In most cases, these can count towards your programme of study.

Visit our work placement page to find out more.

Admission and enrolment

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.