Bachelor of Social Science (Ageing and Disability)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
MBSS

SATAC Code
444599 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 67.00 (for 2024)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 72.00 (for 2025)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): DIP
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Social Science (Ageing and Disability) qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of political, behavioural and social sciences in a range of ageing and disability focused human service contexts to undertake professional work.

The degree also provides a foundational pathway to further learning, including Honours degree programs in related fields.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Science (Ageing and Disability) degree will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge of human service practice, with in-depth understanding in the underlying principles and concepts of social and emotional development and wellbeing, small business entrepreneurship and ethical practice at the individual, community and policy level of ageing and disability service provision.

Students will complete 108 units of study comprising 63 units of core studies in social policy, critical disability studies, critical aging studies, behavioral, social and human service theory, 9 units of recommended Social Science electives, 18 units of practice skills, and 18 units of field placements.

From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Human Service Provision	WELF 1014	4.5
Communication Skills in Social Work and Human Services	WELF 1019	4.5
The Social World	SOCU 1003	4.5
Language and Communication in Applied Linguistics	LANG 1062	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Governance and Citizenship in Australia	POLI 1008	4.5
Group Work	BEHL 2009	4.5
Applied Psychology	BEHL 1005	4.5
Lifespan Development and Diversity	WELF 1021	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Human Service Intervention	WELF 2012	4.5
Australian Social Policy	POLI 1012	4.5
Interviewing Skills in Social Work and Human Services	WELF 2020	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing	WELF 2019	4.5
The Social Construction of Ageing and Disability	WELF 2024	4.5
Aboriginal Australians and the Human Services	WELF 2015	4.5
Human Service Workers and the Law	JUST 2005	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Social Research Methods	HUMS 2047	4.5
Human Service Field Placement A	WELF 3022	9		Rule(s): 1,2
Ageing and Disability: Diversity and Discrimination	WELF 3029	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Human Service Field Placement B	WELF 3014	9		Rule(s): 1,2
Human Service Project Management	WELF 2014	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Social Science Electives
Intercultural Communication	LANG 1054	4.5
Language and Identity	LANG 2022	4.5
Human Rights Law	LAWS 3076	4.5
Recreation and Wellness Management	SPRC 2015	4.5
UO Counselling Concepts	BEHL 1026	4.5
UO Ageing and Disability Friendly Environments	WELF 2021	4.5
UO Case Management for Consumer Directed Care in Disability and Aged Care	WELF 3024	4.5
UO Working with Community	WELF 2023	4.5
Global Politics and Development	POLI 1020	4.5
Ageing and the Law: Elder Law and Policy	LAWS 2039	4.5
Aboriginal Health: Culture, Community and Country	HLTH 1063	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Field Education consists of a total of 560 hours of supervised placement to be undertaken in two blocks of 280 hours during the third year and after completion of all second year courses. Students are advised that they will be required to attend field education placements generally but not exclusively during normal working hours in both teaching and non-teaching weeks, for between 2 and 5 days per week.

2. Students are required to undertake Criminal History Checks through the Department of Human Services (DHS) for Working with Children, in the Aged Care Sector and in Disability Services; obtain a SAPOL National Police Record Check; complete a one-day Safe Environments for Children and Young People course; and the University's online module, Undertaking a Safe Student Placement. Some placements may also require students to hold a current driver's licence and/or additional requirements as requested by a specific placement provider.

Notes

1. The program is designed to graduate professional human service workers who can function effectively in demanding environments. It satisfies professional and employer requirements through its content and its assessment processes. Students are advised that the program does require consistent participation in a wide range of potentially challenging classroom, assessment and field activities.

2. Based on academic merit, graduates of this program will be eligible to apply for admission to the one year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program.

3. Students are required to complete two elective courses as part of the degree, chosen from the list of recommended electives or in consultation with the Program Director. Elective courses are subject to availability. Students should be mindful that if selecting from those offered by UniSA Online (UO), the online study options are available in Study Periods 1, 3, 4, and 6 only. In addition, it is assumed that students have read and accepted that minimum IT requirements for Online study apply. Read about these requirements at online.unisa.edu.au/student-support/tech-support.

4. Students who have completed the Bachelor of Social Science (Ageing and Disability) program at UniSA will receive 18 units of credit on admission into the Master of Social Work (MMSK).

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program is recognised by the Australian Community Workers Association. Graduates will be eligible for full membership of the Australian Community Workers Association.