Study Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: DIP
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2024 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 65.00
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
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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.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

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
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Degree overview

Enhance your employment prospects by studying Sociology with a second major. Taking two majors will develop your capabilities to explore and understand diverse ways of thinking, which is highly regarded by prospective employers.
Study at a university ranked No.1 in SA for student satisfaction in the Humanities¹.
Study at a university ranked No.1 in SA for graduate employability².
Gain international experience as part of the Hawke Professional Experience Program.
Use this degree as a pathway to further study, including the Master of Teaching (Secondary).
Study at a university ranked above Word-Class for Research in Sociology⁴.
Engage with industry partners and organisations as part of your studies through the optional Professional Directions Program.
Use this degree as a pathway to further study, including the Master of Social Work.

¹Ranked #3, ComparED (QILT) Course Experience Questionnaire 2021-22, Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences – Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). Public universities. ²ComparED (QILT) Employer Satisfaction Survey 2021-23. SA public universities. ³2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 4-digit Fields of Research. ⁴2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Snapshot

As a student studying the Sociology major you will investigate cultural, social and political trends and attain sought-after skills in critical and creative thinking.

You will:

Understand the complexities of contemporary social life, addressing social problems and examining issues of ethnicity, globalisation, popular culture and social movements
Develop both critical and creative thinking capabilities in order to identify trends, structures and social issues that emerge from cultural, political and economic change.
Be able to undertake systematic methods of investigation and analysis of societal structures within professional contexts in order to contribute effectively to local, national and international initiatives.

You will also graduate with writing, presentation, digital, communication, research and problem-solving skills that can be transferable across a range of roles and are highly regarded by prospective employers.

Learn more about how to tailor your Arts degree to suit your interests in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

What you'll learn

This degree will explore social life, social change and social problems. You will develop an understanding of the complexities of contemporary social life; addressing social problems and examining issues of ethnicity, globalisation, popular culture and social movements.

You will develop the critical and creative thinking skills to identify trends, structures and social issues that emerge from cultural, political and economic change. You will graduate with a sound knowledge of:

social theory
contemporary debates
research methodology
cultures and sub cultures
migration
policy
family
global society
social movements.

This degree allows you to select two majors ensuring you graduate with an in-depth knowledge of areas of interest to you. You can choose your second major from the following:

In addition to your two majors, you will also be required to complete two core courses, four courses from a selected list of minors (also from the above list), and Professional Directions Program 1 & 2 or two electives.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Truth, Lies and Being Human	HUMS 1060	4.5	Note(s): 1
The Social World	SOCU 1003	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 3,4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Intercultural Communication	LANG 1054	4.5	Note(s): 1
Sociological Perspectives	SOCU 1002	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 3,4
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Understanding Globalisation	SOCU 2017	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 3,4
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
OR
Professional Directions Program 1	COMM 2098	4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Sociology of Crime and Deviance	SOCU 2021	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 3,4
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
OR
Professional Directions Program 2	COMM 2099	4.5	Note(s): 2
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Social Theory for the 21st Century	SOCU 3036	4.5
Society and Identity in Crisis	SOCU 3038	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Migration, Diversity and Belonging	HUMS 2038	4.5
Sociology of Gender and Intimacy	HUMS 3034	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

French Studies

Italian Studies

Japanese Studies

Psychology

Creative Writing and Literature

Applied Linguistics

Sociology

History and Global Politics

Cultural Studies

Law, Policy and Politics

Aboriginal Studies

Criminology and Criminal Justice
Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students are required to complete their second major from: Aboriginal Studies, Applied Linguistics, Creative Writing and Literature, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Cultural Studies, History and Global Politics, Languages (French / Italian / Japanese), Psychology, or Law, Policy and Politics. Students who wish to complete the Criminology and Criminal Justice major, or a major or minor learning area from the list of available university major and minor options should contact the Program Director for approval and enrolment advice. International student visa holders cannot select Criminology and Criminal Justice as a specialisation or major.

2. Students intending to undertake a Master of Teaching (Secondary) should consult with their program director for a schedule of recommended courses.

Notes

1. This course is one of two core courses that provide a foundation for the program.

2. Students complete either Electives or Professional Directions Program courses 1 and 2. Students may be directed to complete English Language courses in place of their electives.

3. A minor consists of four courses (18 units), generally two at Level 1 (Introductory) and two at Level 2 (Intermediate).

4. The Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience course can be chosen in place of the minor sequence and is equivalent to 18 units. Students who choose this option will swap their first year (Level 1 Introductory) minor sequence to Elective 1 and Elective 2. Students can then choose to study the Hawke course in their second year (Level 2 Intermediate). Students will be required to complete the two available Level 2 Intermediate course options at second year in the opposite study period to undertaking the Hawke course.

5. Students are advised to select their minor from within the majors offered by the MBAA Bachelor of Arts.

6. The Justice & Society Study Tour course can be chosen in place of an elective course as part of this program. Additional fees apply for the study tour component of this course, and enrolment is conditional upon successful application in a competitive Expression of Interest process as well as successful completion of 36 units.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

individual and group presentations
critical analysis
essays
reflective journals
research assignments
portfolios
case studies
online quizzes
reports
assignments.

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)

This degree increases your employment prospects by enabling you to gain expertise in two different areas of interest. This degree equips you with in-depth knowledge of the complexities of contemporary social life; addressing social problems and examining issues of ethnicity, globalisation, popular culture and social movements.

You will have opportunities to engage with community and industry partners through placements and mentoring conversations as part of your studies through the Professional Directions Program.
There are also opportunities to study a portion of your degree overseas, as part of the Global Experience study tours..

You could continue your studies with a Master of Teaching with one major and one minor Learning Area. If this interests you, please read How Do I Become a Teacher before selecting your courses.
You may also choose to further your studies through a Master of Social Work. Students must ensure they are aware of the entry requirements of this postgraduate program before selecting courses in the Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree.

Real-world connections

As part of this degree, you will have opportunities to engage with community, build industry connections and gain valuable work experience. Such opportunities include:

Placements in over 100 organisations though the Professional Directions Program in second year.
Attending regular University-wide employee master classes, career development planning, employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

This could be you

UniSA’s Bachelor of Arts is taught by world-class educators and researchers and enables you to pursue two areas of academic interest at once. Hear from UniSA student Luke Heathorn and Program Support Coordinator Louis Everuss on what it's like studying our Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Career outcomes

Your career

Your knowledge of social life, social change and social problems, combined with strong analytical and research skills, can lead to further study or a career in such diverse fields as:

government, diplomacy and trade
defence, intelligence and security
migrant, refugee, and multicultural services
community and social services
health, wellbeing and aged care
policy and research
education.

This program helps you develop many transferable skills which are highly regarded by employers including:
critical analysis

real-world, contemporary research strategies
cultural awareness
sophisticated communication

Further study and career options include:

Policy developer and analyst
Youth worker
Research.

Further career pathways are available depending on your combination of majors.

You may also choose to further your studies through a Master of Social Work. Students must ensure they are across the entry requirements of this postgraduate program before selecting courses in the Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree.

UniStart - your 100% online pathway to a degree

Just starting out on your university journey, don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree, or want to refresh your study skills? Set yourself up for success and pave the way to a degree with UniStart, UniSA Online’s six-month pathway program launching in 2025.

Apply now

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

UniSA College Diploma in Social Sciences
UniSA College Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies (Social Sciences)
SAIBT Diploma of Arts

International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

SAIBT Diploma of Arts

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

As an Arts student you will have access to:

The on-campus Multimedia Languages Lab, where you can connect in real-time with native speakers from around the world.
A diverse range of community and industry partner organisations who host student placements and offer mentoring conversations off campus so you can engage and explore real-world connections between your studies and future work in the Professional Directions Program.

Your program director

I am Director of the Bachelor of Arts Programs, Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, and Fellow of the Advanced Higher Education Academy, UK.

My academic background is in Languages and Applied Linguistics (BA Hons, PhD), following extensive experience in clinical practice across a range of health and medical domains in Australia. My work places a strong focus on developing reciprocal, trusting relationships in my teaching, mentoring and engagement with students, and in my research in partnership with colleagues, community and industry. My teaching and research inform each other. I coordinate and teach core courses in the Bachelor of Arts, and my research focuses on language and communication in professions and organisations in various contexts. These include state and nationally funded projects in health care, aged care, education, counselling, and policing.

The upshot is that our Bachelor of Arts program develops each student’s interests, strengths and aspirations, enabling each student to explore and prepare for a wide range of career and life goals. The unique double major structure combines theory and practice with real-world experience to develop strong interdisciplinary skills that are highly valued by industry, government and community.

Dr Fiona O'Neill

Program Director

Enquire

Dr Fiona O'Neill

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate

The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

Postgraduate

Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.

More FAQs

What others are saying

The Bachelor of Arts program is creatively designed to be suitable for diverse needs. The degree has enabled me to gain deeper knowledge about global and national politics, as well as classical and contemporary social theories. My writing, analytical and critical skills have significantly improved since commencing my studies. I believe this program encourages students to think deeper about political and social issues in today’s climate.

Muzafar Ali

Bachelor of Arts Double Major in Sociology & Law, Policy and Politics