Bachelor of Social Science
Swinburne Online - Online delivery only
Overview
Our Bachelor of Social Science gives you a broad understanding of social science in the context of a culturally diverse global environment.
You’ll develop a rounded understanding of sociocultural and socioeconomic environments through exploring topics such as human behaviour, social issues, ethical dilemmas, and international relations.
Upon graduating, you’ll be ready for a diverse career in areas such as child protection, crime prevention, national security, government and foreign affairs.
Skills you’ll learn
- Critical thinking
- Research
- Strategising
Your career opportunities
- Case Manager
- Community Development Officer
- Intelligence Analyst
- Policy Adviser
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
5 stars for overall experience
5 stars for teaching quality
#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary
Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023
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Study with Swinburne Online
With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.
Qualifications
Successful completion of one of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees)
- applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they have significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the STAT test.
Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne.
Course prerequisites
VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
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Diploma of Health Science (UniLink)
Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.
How credit points work
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Social Science, students must complete 300 credit points.
The Security and Counter Terrorism Major and Security and International Relations Major are not available to international students.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Learning and Communicating Online
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COM10003 |
|
Sociological Foundations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
SOC10004 |
|
Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
INS10001 |
|
Australian Politics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL10001 |
|
Introduction to Research Methods
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, Psychology majors only |
PSY10005 |
Your major options
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Psychology 100
Major unit |
PSY10003 |
|
Psychology 101
Major unit |
PSY10004 |
|
Deviance, Difference & Conformity
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SOC20020 |
|
Theories of Counselling
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY20001 |
|
Psychology of Infancy and Early Childhood
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY20008 |
|
Applied Social Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY30014 |
|
Psychology of Wellbeing
Major unit, 25.0 credit points |
PSY30011 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Fundamentals of Criminology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CRI10002 |
|
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FOR10001 |
|
Policing: Systems and Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CRI20001 |
|
Youth Justice and Crime
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CRI30010 |
|
Deviance, Difference & Conformity
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SOC20020 |
|
Corrections: Systems and Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CRI30002 |
|
Cyber Crime and Security
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30018 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
International Politics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL10002 |
|
Australian Foreign Policy
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20008 |
|
Conflict Resolution
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20011 |
|
International Relations and Security Studies
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20010 |
|
Dictators and Democrats: Comparative Politics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20009 |
|
Critical Perspectives On Terrorism
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30009 |
|
War and Peace in the 20th Century
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
HIS30007 |
|
History, Politics and Human Rights
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
HIS30012 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
International Politics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL10002 |
|
Australian Foreign Policy
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20008 |
|
International Relations and Security Studies
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20010 |
|
Conflict Resolution
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20011 |
|
Dictators and Democrats: Comparative Politics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL20009 |
|
Critical Perspectives On Terrorism
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30009 |
|
Cyber Crime and Security
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30018 |
|
Countering Violent Extremism
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30016 |
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$16,992
Total fee* ($AUD)
$50,976
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$40,600.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!
Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.