Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences)

Note

Students who commenced the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Social Inquiry) before 2016 can view their course program at Course transition arrangements.

Social and political sciences come to life in the contemporary world through communication – inter-personal and with the community, and more widely in society and the global public sphere. This cross-disciplinary course investigates society, explores current issues, and questions implications of change and progress in the global community. Students undertake professional studies as well as social, cultural and communication theory and practice so they can ask questions, research issues, develop advocacy skills and develop effective communication strategies.

Combining social, political, historical and philosophical perspectives on how societies work, the course provides students with practical skills in qualitative and quantitative social research methods. Students learn how to understand social issues and how to think through ways of making a difference; how to research, communicate and plan contributions to national and international debates. The course equips students with the knowledge and skills to be involved in diverse organisations engaging with social change.

Typical study program

Typical course programs are shown below for students commencing in either Autumn or Spring session.

All students choose a second major stream when enrolling in their first session. This 16-credit-point stream consists of two major subjects from another major. Students can choose any second major (excluding Media Arts and Production) and, subject to meeting criteria, they can apply to continue with their chosen second major (the remaining 32 credit points, i.e. another four subjects).

Students who choose not to continue with their second major choice or who do not meet the eligibility criteria, continue in their course by choosing 32 credit points of electives (i.e. four subjects).

First year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54000 Citizenship and Communication 8 54000
54050 Self and Society 8 54050
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91131 Stream choices 16 cbk91131
Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54001 Digital Literacies 8 54001
54051 Politics, Ideologies and Beliefs 8 54051
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91131 Stream choices 16 cbk91131

Second year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54002 Communicating Difference 8 54002
54052 Economy, Society and Globalism 8 54052
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91132 Second major 48 cbk91132
CBK91119 Electives 32 cbk91119
Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54053 Investigating for Change 8 54053
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives 24 cbk91115
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91132 Second major 48 cbk91132
CBK91119 Electives 32 cbk91119

Third year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54054 Intervening for Change 8 54054
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives 24 cbk91115
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91132 Second major 48 cbk91132
CBK91119 Electives 32 cbk91119
Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54055 Professional Pathways Project 8 54055
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives 24 cbk91115
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91132 Second major 48 cbk91132
CBK91119 Electives 32 cbk91119

Honours

The Bachelor of Communication (Honours) (C09047) is available with an additional year of full-time study for eligible students.

First year

Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54001 Digital Literacies 8 54001
54051 Politics, Ideologies and Beliefs 8 54051
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91131 Stream choices 16 cbk91131

Second year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54000 Citizenship and Communication 8 54000
54050 Self and Society 8 54050
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91131 Stream choices 16 cbk91131
Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54002 Communicating Difference 8 54002
54053 Investigating for Change 8 54053
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91132 Second major 48 cbk91132
CBK91119 Electives 32 cbk91119

Third year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54052 Economy, Society and Globalism 8 54052
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives 24 cbk91115
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91132 Second major 48 cbk91132
CBK91119 Electives 32 cbk91119
Spring session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54054 Intervening for Change 8 54054
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives 24 cbk91115
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91132 Second major 48 cbk91132
CBK91119 Electives 32 cbk91119

Fourth year

Autumn session Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects. Subject Code
54055 Professional Pathways Project 8 54055
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives 24 cbk91115
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
CBK91132 Second major 48 cbk91132
CBK91119 Electives 32 cbk91119

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

All students at UTS pay tuition fees to contribute towards the cost of their studies.

In 2019 all offers made to domestic undergraduate students will be for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), which means that the Australian government makes a substantial contribution towards the cost of your education, and you pay the balance through student contributions.

The amount you pay depends on your area of study and the number of credit points (cp) in which you enrol. At UTS 48 credit points is considered to be one Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL).

The table to the right shows the amount a student can expect to pay for one year of full-time study (1.0 EFTSL).

Students can choose to pay their student contribution upfront, or if eligible, can defer their fees through HECS-HELP.

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional cost.

You can calculate your student contribution as a percentage of the amounts shown on the table.
e.g. If you are enrolled in a 6 credit point Mathematics subject, your contribution would be 6/48 x $9,359 = $1,169.

Student contribution amounts for 2019 commencing students

Area of study and

student contribution  

band

Student contribution

(per EFTSL or 48 cp)
3
Law, Accounting, Commerce, Economics, Administration, Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science		 $10,958
2
Mathematics, Statistics, Computing, Built Environment, Other Health, Allied Health, Engineering, Science, Surveying, Agriculture		 $9,359
1
Humanities, Behavioural Science, Social Studies, Education, Clinical Psychology, Foreign Languages, Visual and Performing Arts, Nursing		 $6,566

International student

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students can be found using tuition fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

 

For this course, the cost per credit point for 2019 is $700. The total credit points are 144.

All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.

Careers

Career options include advocacy in environmental, Indigenous, human rights and overseas development organisations, as well as trade unions; policy research, analysis and program management in government; management in social services and welfare, including women's, migrant and Indigenous programs; and research in think tanks and academia.

Course structure

Course structure explained

Students must complete 144 credit points consisting of 24 credit points of core subjects, a 48-credit-point major and potential 48-credit-point second major (subject to application), and 24 credit points of cross-disciplinary electives. Students who do not meet the requirements to study the second major complete elective subjects.

Industrial training/professional practice

All subjects provide students with practical research skills that are applied in real-world settings. The final three subjects are project-based, allowing students to work on topical issues and be placed with a community, corporate or government organisation, or within NSW Parliament.

Students can also elect to undertake a professional internship in industry.

Course completion requirements
Requirement Credit Points
STM91104 Communication core 24
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives 24
CBK91129 Major/Electives 48
MAJ10049 Social and Political Sciences 48
Total 144

Additional information

Course duration

This course is offered on a three-year, full-time basis.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Check to see if there are additional admission requirements for this course.

Additional information relating to this course, including the ATAR profile of domestic students who commenced this course in Autumn 2018, is located under UTS' admissions requirements, alongside information relating to the commencing student cohort who were enrolled in this course past the Autumn 2018 census date.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for this course, there may be alternative pathways to help you gain admission.

ATAR and selection ranks

To find out further information regarding ATAR and selection ranks from previous applicants who received an offer to this course, please visit our Admissions Stats Tool

Year 12 adjustment factor scheme

To see a list of courses where HSC subjects provide adjustment factors, please refer to the Year 12 adjustment factors page.

Alternative entry

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has established credit recognition packages with the following institutions:

  • INSEARCH UTS: Diploma of Communication
  • Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore
  • Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore
  • Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore

Scholarships and prizes

Scholarships

For Communication students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication students

UTS: Handbook

See the Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

Information for international students

Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.

Part of UTS Arts and Social Sciences

  • Academic staff

    Find out more about the staff lecturing and researching in this field

  • MediaLab

    Students enrolled in production subjects have access to MediaLab facilities.

  • Faculty news

    Read about news in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Domestic students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

How to apply

Domestic students can apply:

UAC code(s): 600028 (Autumn session, Spring session)

Make a note of the relevant UAC code before starting your UAC application.

Intake

Autumn session 2019 intake for local and year 12 international students.
Spring session 2019 intake for local and year 12 international students.

Important dates

JULY 2018
23
Spring session classes commence (all courses except Calendar B)
23 - 27
Orientation for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session
30
Calendar B Spring session classes commence
AUGUST 2018
25
UTS Open Day
FEBRUARY 2019
18 - 22
Orientation for Calendar B Autumn session (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education)
18 February - 8 March
Orientation for Autumn session 2019 ( all courses except Calendar B)
25
Calendar B Autumn session commences (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education)
MARCH 2019
11
Autumn session commences (all courses except Calendar B)
APRIL 2019
10
Census date
22 - 28
Mid-session StuVac (Study vacation)
JUNE 2019
7
Formal classes end
10 - 14
Final StuVac (Study vacation)
15 - 29
Final assessment period

Need more information?

Ask UTS

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Communication students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication students

International students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

You can meet an international student advisor at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.

How to apply

International students apply to study at UTS through UTS International.

International students who are doing:

  • an Australian Year 12 qualification in or outside Australia, or
  • an International Baccalaureate, or
  • a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3,

apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (opens an external site).

Intake

Autumn session 2019 intake for local and year 12 international students.
Spring session 2019 intake for local and year 12 international students.

Apply online

Download an application form

Important dates

NOVEMBER 2018
30
Closing date for applications for admission to undergraduate international students based outside Australia for Autumn session 2019
DECEMBER 2018
15
Closing date for applications for admission to undergraduate international students based in Australia for Autumn session 2019
FEBRUARY 2019
18 - 22
Orientation for Calendar B Autumn session (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education)
18 February - 8 March
Orientation for Autumn session 2019 (all courses except Calendar B)
25
Calendar B Autumn session commences (Graduate School of Health/Teacher Education)
MARCH 2019
11
Autumn session commences (all courses except Calendar B)
APRIL 2019
10
Census date
22 - 28
Mid-session StuVac (Study vacation)
JUNE 2019
7
Formal classes end
10 - 14
Final StuVac (Study vacation)
15 - 29
Final assessment period

Need more information?

Ask a question

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Communication students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication students