Social sciences

Personalised by

Use this icon to personalise the page to your pathway, preferred campus and study level.

Personalisation is not available through private browsing.

Nearly half of world leaders hold a social science degree*

Social Science explores big world issues, social change and lasting solutions. You'll study and debate some of society's most compelling challenges, along with the techniques to understand, analyse and solve them. It’s built around a tailored employability framework, so you’ll have the tools and experience to start building a successful and meaningful social science career, well before you graduate. You'll develop specialist knowledge in high-demand fields, selecting two majors from: social justice; global security threats; environmental sustainability; politics in Asia; economics; and media, communication and social change.

You’ll develop a deep understanding of society and be prepared to lead big changes.

*Academy of Social Science in Australia, 2017

Skip to degrees

Flexible study options

Learn how we can help make University work for you.

Find out more about Flexibility

Study social science at Griffith

Unlock both sides of your brain

Most careers use one side of your brain. Logic or creativity. Analysis or insight. Reason or imagination. But our Bachelor of Social Science taps your whole potential and unlocks both kinds of smarts, so you can really help shape the future. You'll be prepared to meet the global demand for social scientists who can understand and help solve the biggest problems facing our modern, high-tech societies. If you’re fascinated by human behaviour but don’t want to be a psychologist, or are intrigued by science and how things work, but aren't interested in lab work, a career in social science could be for you.

Social science is the perfect intersection between the scientific and the social and offers a fulfilling and financially rewarding career across a wide range of industries.

Start building a successful, meaningful career from your first year

From the second week of study, you’ll focus on your future employability, developing an e-portfolio and a career action plan and be assisted into internships by a dedicated Placement Officer. There are also opportunities to join a global study tour. You can customise your degree with two majors and free choice electives, and you can study full time or part time across our Nathan and Gold Coast campuses. At Griffith, you get the opportunity to quench your thirst for knowledge and make a real difference by influencing and leading public policy and helping individuals, communities and society.

Career outcomes

Find lasting solutions to social issues

The Bachelor of Social Science is a flexible, versatile and practical degree that can position graduates for many different career opportunities.

44% of world leaders and 67% of CEOs of ASX200 companies hold a social science degree (Academy of Social Science in Australia, 2017) and numerous private sector and government agencies employ social science graduates, drawing on their skills in policy development, data analysis, communications, social research and advocacy. As a graduate, your expertise will be sought in many different settings, from the public service to community agencies, advocacy and lobbying organisations, social activism and international aid organisations. You'll embark on your career with the solid foundation required to work across various rewarding professions, including jobs in:

Social policy development
Politics
Environmental sustainability
International aid
Foreign affairs and trade
Education and training
Economic analysis

Media and communications
Information management
Non-government organisations
Social enterprise
Corporate strategy
Security intelligence

Lia Ribeiro De Noronha

“Not everyone gets to say that within the first five minutes of almost every class they are completely immersed, fascinated and empowered. The Bachelor of Social Science was described to me as a degree that would hone both my left and right brain skills; it provides me the opportunity to do just that as I study both STEM and humanities and arts symbiotically. People often forget that skills such as creativity, critical thinking and collaboration are required across the board and this degree is providing me with learning opportunities to develop all of these.”

2017 School Captain, Indooroopilly State High

Study options

{"executionContext":"Public","query":null,"originalQuery":null,"collection":{"id":"gu-study-programs","profiles":{"_default":{"id":"_default","facetedNavConfConfig":{"facetDefinitions":[],"metadataFieldsUsed":[]},"padreOpts":null}},"facetedNavigationConfConfig":null,"facetedNavigationLiveConfig":null,"metaComponents":[],"type":"local"},"profile":"_default","clive":null,"form":"simple","cnClickedCluster":null,"cnPreviousClusters":[],"metaParameters":["+discipline:0090|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"systemMetaParameters":[],"additionalParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"origin":["-33.861496,151.2055"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"sort":["title"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0090%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"location":[""]},"environmentVariables":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0090%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"},"dynamicQueryProcessorOptions":["-qlog_file=/opt/funnelback/data/gu-study-programs/live/log/queries-griff-search01.log"],"userKeys":[],"selectedFacets":[],"selectedCategoryValues":{},"facetsQueryConstraints":[],"facetCollectionConstraints":null,"facetsGScopeConstraints":null,"impersonated":false,"requestId":"43.245.40.214","logQuery":null,"rawInputParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0090|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0090%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"]},"inputParameterMap":{"REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0090%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on","city":"","fmo":"on","personalise":"yes","sort":"title","collection":"gu-study-programs","query_and":"discipline:0090|T:Single|B:|W:|J:","location":"","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","num_ranks":"1000"},"questionType":"SEARCH","locale":"en_US","location":{"areaCode":0,"city":"Sydney","countryCode":"AU","countryName":"Australia","dmaCode":0,"latitude":-33.861496,"longitude":151.2055,"metroCode":0,"postalCode":"1001","region":"02"},"hostname":null,"funnelbackVersion":{"major":15,"minor":20,"revision":0},"customData":{},"queryStringMapCopy":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0090|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"]},"extraSearch":false}

Degrees	Campus	OP
Bachelor of Arts	Online
Bachelor of Arts	Nathan	15
Bachelor of Arts	Gold Coast	15
Bachelor of Asian Studies	Nathan	15
Bachelor of Communication (Honours)	Gold Coast Nathan
Bachelor of Government and International Relations	Gold Coast Nathan	15
Bachelor of Government and International Relations (Honours)	Nathan
Bachelor of Social Science	Gold Coast Nathan	12
Graduate Certificate in International Relations	Nathan
Master of International Relations	Nathan

{"executionContext":"Public","query":null,"originalQuery":null,"collection":{"id":"gu-study-programs","profiles":{"_default":{"id":"_default","facetedNavConfConfig":{"facetDefinitions":[],"metadataFieldsUsed":[]},"padreOpts":null}},"facetedNavigationConfConfig":null,"facetedNavigationLiveConfig":null,"metaComponents":[],"type":"local"},"profile":"_default","clive":null,"form":"simple","cnClickedCluster":null,"cnPreviousClusters":[],"metaParameters":["+discipline:0090|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"systemMetaParameters":[],"additionalParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"origin":["-33.861496,151.2055"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"sort":["title"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0090%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"location":[""]},"environmentVariables":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0090%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"},"dynamicQueryProcessorOptions":["-qlog_file=/opt/funnelback/data/gu-study-programs/live/log/queries-griff-search01.log"],"userKeys":[],"selectedFacets":[],"selectedCategoryValues":{},"facetsQueryConstraints":[],"facetCollectionConstraints":null,"facetsGScopeConstraints":null,"impersonated":false,"requestId":"43.245.40.214","logQuery":null,"rawInputParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0090|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0090%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"]},"inputParameterMap":{"city":"","fmo":"on","personalise":"yes","sort":"title","collection":"gu-study-programs","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0090%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on","location":"","query_and":"discipline:0090|T:Double|B:|W:|J:","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","num_ranks":"1000"},"questionType":"SEARCH","locale":"en_US","location":{"areaCode":0,"city":"Sydney","countryCode":"AU","countryName":"Australia","dmaCode":0,"latitude":-33.861496,"longitude":151.2055,"metroCode":0,"postalCode":"1001","region":"02"},"hostname":null,"funnelbackVersion":{"major":15,"minor":20,"revision":0},"customData":{},"queryStringMapCopy":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0090|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"]},"extraSearch":false}

Expand your qualifications and your career options with our range of double degrees. As a double degree graduate, you’ll have a special skill set that will help you stand out with future employers.

Double Degrees	Campus	OP
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business	Nathan	15
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business	Gold Coast	15
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Asian Studies	Nathan	15
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Asian Studies	Nathan	15
Bachelor of Government and International Relations/Bachelor of Asian Studies	Nathan	15
Bachelor of International Business/Bachelor of Government and International Relations	Nathan	15
Bachelor of International Business/Bachelor of Government and International Relations	Gold Coast	15
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Government and International Relations	Gold Coast Nathan

It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.

Scholarships

Over 600 Scholarships available.

Find out more about Scholarships

Career outcomes

Develop skills and strategies to find solutions to social issues

Social science is a flexible, versatile and practical degree that can position graduates for many different career opportunities

Numerous private sector and government agencies employ social science graduates, drawing on their skills in problem-solving, critical analysis, social research and advocacy. As a Griffith graduate, your expertise will be sought in many different settings, from the public service to community agencies, advocacy and lobbying organisations, social activism and international aid organisations. You'll embark on your career with the solid foundation required to work across various rewarding professions, including jobs in:

Advertising
Aid work
Education
Government
Media
Social policy analysis
Information management

Create a personalised study guide

Explore what Griffith has to offer

Get started

Life at Griffith

You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.

Learn more about life at Griffith University

News

View all news articles

25 Sep 2019

Griffith research nationally recognised

06 Sep 2019

Our Outstanding Alumni Award winners

Key dates

View all key dates

Monday 21 October — Friday 25 October

Trimester 3: Orientation

Get the right start and find out everything you need to know about starting at Griffith.

Find out more.

Tuesday 29 October — Thursday 31 October

Application Support Nights

Need help with your university application? Receive personalised advice and assistance from one of our expert study advisers to start and/or complete your university application.

Find out more.

Monday 16 December — Thursday 19 December

Explore your options

If your OP or ATAR result changes your direction, chat online with our expert study advisers to explore your study options. Find out about admissions pathways, entry requirements and changing your preferences.

Find out more.