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.

Make an enquiry

00:00:00
We live in a rapidly changing world and a world that's facing a lot of big issues whether we're talking about climate change or global terrorism.

00:00:08
This degree really gave me those skills to think differently. To think critically and to equip me for jobs that don't really exist yet.

00:00:18

Social and Political Sciences is a degree for anyone who's interested in how our society works and essentially how to make it better.

00:00:27
I chose social and political sciences because I was really interested in learning about the issues affecting society.

00:00:32
This isn't a degree that funnels you into one job. It's more a degree that opens up a lot of opportunities in different industries including organizations that are really trying to make change in the world.

00:00:44
I currently work as a safer communities coordinator at Insurance Australia Group where we look at addressing social and environmental issues through a lens that makes social sense and also commercial outcomes.

00:00:56
So at the City of Parramatta I'm a community engagement officer and part of that means that we roll out community consultations and that's to make sure that whatever council delivers is what the community have said they want.

00:01:08
We follow the UTS model of learning so we are always trying to combine practical, real world skills with our understanding of history and theory.

00:01:16
A lot of skills that I've developed throughout my degree I put in to practice every day on the job.

00:01:22

A lot of it is to do with research,  collecting data, analysing data, and report writing.

00:01:30

The placements that I did as part of my degree were really useful for me to go out and see how organisations work. To be able to make a difference while still being a student was great.

00:01:40
Our graduates are gonna be really well equipped to help improve the world because they understand how society works and how social change happens.

Typical study program

Typical course programs are shown below for students commencing in either Autumn, Spring or Summer 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 Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Citizenship and Communication 54000 8
Self and Society 54050 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Stream choices cbk91131 16
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Digital Literacies 54001 8
Politics, Ideologies and Beliefs 54051 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Stream choices cbk91131 16

Second year

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

Third year

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

Honours

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

First year

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

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Citizenship and Communication 54000 8
Self and Society 54050 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Stream choices cbk91131 16
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Investigating for Change 54053 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Cross-disciplinary electives cbk91115 24
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Second major cbk91132 48
Electives cbk91119 32

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Economy, Society and Globalism 54052 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Second major cbk91132 48
Electives cbk91119 32
Intervening for Change 54054 8
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Professional Pathways Project 54055 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Cross-disciplinary electives cbk91115 24
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Second major cbk91132 48
Electives cbk91119 32

Fourth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Communicating Difference 54002 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Cross-disciplinary electives cbk91115 24
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Second major cbk91132 48
Electives cbk91119 32

First year

Summer session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Citizenship and Communication 54000 8
Select 16 credit points from the following: 16
Cross-disciplinary electives cbk91115 24

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Communicating Difference 54002 8
Self and Society 54050 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Stream choices cbk91118 16
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Digital Literacies 54001 8
Politics, Ideologies and Beliefs 54051 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Stream choices cbk91118 16

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Economy, Society and Globalism 54052 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Cross-disciplinary electives cbk91115 24
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Second major cbk91120 48
Electives cbk91119 32
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Investigating for Change 54053 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Second major cbk91120 48
Electives cbk91119 32

Fourth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Intervening for Change 54054 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Second major cbk91120 48
Electives cbk91119 32
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Professional Pathways Project 54055 8
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Second major cbk91120 48
Electives cbk91119 32

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 2021 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. Fee rates are divided into four bands covering broad discipline areas.  It is important to note that a particular subject within a course may fall within a different band.

For example, if you are enrolled in a 6 credit point Architecture subject, your contribution would be 6/48 x $7,950 = $993.

Note: The Student Contribution amounts displayed are still subject to the passage of legislation.

Student contribution amounts for 2021 commencing students

Area of study and student contribution band

Student contribution (per EFTSL or 48 cp)
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $14,500
Medicine, Dental and Veterinary Science $11,300
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual & Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science and Pathology $7,950
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Foreign Languages and Agriculture $3,950

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 2021 is $749. 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 research in think tanks and academia; policy research, analysis and program management in government; management in social services and welfare, including women's, migrant and Indigenous programs; and advocacy in environmental, Indigenous, human rights and overseas development organisations, as well as trade unions.

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

Download a course guide

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Course Guides

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

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Domestic students

Before you apply

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

How to apply

Domestic applicants can apply via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (opens an external site)

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

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

Intake

Autumn session 2021 intake for local and year 12 international students.
Spring session 2021 intake for local and year 12 international students.

Important dates

JANUARY 2020
5
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for January Round 1 undergraduate offers
6
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for 11 January undergraduate offer round
10
Last day to lodge an application for review of final assessment result for December session 2019
10
UAC January Round 1 undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
11
UAC 11 January undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
11
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for 16 January undergraduate offer round
16
UAC 16 January undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
20
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for January Round 2 undergraduate offers
23
UAC January Round 2 undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
26
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for 31 January undergraduate offer round
31
UAC 31 January undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
FEBRUARY 2020
2
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for February Round 1 undergraduate offers
6
UAC February Round 1 undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
7
Final closing date (midnight) for undergraduate UAC applications for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session 2020
8
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for 14 February undergraduate offer round
9
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for February Round 2 undergraduate offers
13
UAC February Round 2 undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
14
UAC 14 February undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
17
Orientation for main calendar Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 6 March)
17 - 21
Orientation for Calendar B Autumn 2020
24
Calendar B Autumn Session 2020 commences (ends 27 June)
MARCH 2020
6
Orientation for main calendar Autumn session 2020 ends (commenced 17 February)
9
Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for Calendar B Autumn session 2020
9
Main calendar Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 27 June)
23
Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for main calendar Autumn session 2020
APRIL 2020
7
Census date for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2020 – last day to withdraw from coursework subjects or apply for leave of absence
13
Applications for internal course transfer for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session 2020 open (close 28 June 2020)
JUNE 2020
28
Applications for internal course transfer for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session 2020 close (opened 13 April)
28
Closing date for direct applications for specified undergraduate courses and for non-award and cross-institutional applications in main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session 2020
JULY 2020
3
Closing date for international exchange outbound applications for Autumn session 2021
20 - 24
Orientation for Calendar B Spring session 2020
27
Main calendar Spring session 2020 commences (ends 14 November)
27
Calendar B Spring session 2020 commences (ends 28 November)
27 - 31
Orientation for main Calendar Spring session 2020
AUGUST 2020
10
Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for Calendar B Spring session 2020
10
Last day to be admitted into a course and last day to enrol in (add) subjects for main calendar Spring session 2020
25
Census date for main calendar Spring session, Calendar B Spring session and August session 2020 – last day to withdraw from coursework subjects or apply for leave of absence
TBC
Applications open for non-award and cross-institutional subjects for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2021
TBC
Applications for internal course transfer for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2021 open (close 15 November 2020)
NOVEMBER 2020
13
Applications for internal course transfer for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2021 close (opened 30 August)
13
Closing date for international exchange outbound applications for Spring session 2021
16
Summer session 2020 commences (ends 27 February 2021)
DECEMBER 2020
TBC
NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) results released (from 6am)
TBC
Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATARs) released by UAC (from 9am)
TBC
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for December Round 2 undergraduate offers
TBC
UAC December Round 2 undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)

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 applicants can apply to study through UTS International.

International applicants who are currently doing:

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

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

Intake

Autumn session 2021 intake for local and year 12 international students.
Spring session 2021 intake for local and year 12 international students.

Apply online

Download an application form

Important dates

JANUARY 2020
6
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for 11 January undergraduate offer round
11
UAC 11 January undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
16
UAC 16 January undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
26
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for 31 January undergraduate offer round
31
UAC 31 January undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
FEBRUARY 2020
8
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for 14 February undergraduate offer round
14
UAC 14 February undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
17
Orientation for main calendar Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 6 March)
17-21
Orientation for Calendar B Autumn session 2020
24
Calendar B Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 27 June)
MARCH 2020
6
Orientation for main calendar Autumn session 2020 ends (commenced 17 February)
9
Main calendar Autumn session 2020 commences (ends 27 June)
APRIL 2020
7
Census date for main calendar Autumn session and Calendar B Autumn session 2020 – last day to withdraw from coursework subjects or apply for leave of absence
30
Closing date for applications for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework from international students based outside Australia for Spring session 2020
MAY 2020
31
Closing date for applications for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework from international students based in Australia for Spring session 2020
JULY 2020
3
Closing date for international exchange outbound applications for Autumn session 2021
20-24
Orientation for Calendar B Spring session 2020
27
Main calendar Spring session 2020 commences (ends 14 November)
27
Calendar B Spring session 2020 commences (ends 28 November)
27-31
Orientation for main calendar Spring session 2020
AUGUST 2020
25
Census date for main calendar Spring session and Calendar B Spring session – last day to withdraw from coursework subjects or apply for leave of absence
NOVEMBER 2020
13
Closing date for international exchange outbound applications for Spring session 2021
DECEMBER 2020
TBC
Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATARs) released by UAC (from 9am)
TBC
Closing date (midnight) for UAC change of preference for December Round 2 undergraduate offers
TBC
UAC December Round 2 undergraduate offers e-released (from 7.30am)
JANUARY 2021
15
Closing date for application for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework from international students based outside Australia for Autumn session 2021
15
Closing date for application for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework from international students based in Australia for Autumn session 2021

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