Program Overview

If you have a keen social conscience and would like to spend your career investigating society’s key challenges, then the Bachelor of Social and Economic Policy (Sociology) lets you explore how social, economic and political factors help shape human actions in modern society. You’ll develop a solid grounding in the social sciences, which will help you gain skills to analyse social and economic issues in the real world. The course will see you investigate social policy reform matters from a distinctive perspective thanks to Canberra’s location as the centre of federal and ACT government socio-economic policy design, implementation and evaluation.

The course’s flexibility allows for a variety of subject areas and disciplines to be explored, including international relations and political science, as well as business, management, law and commerce. On top of analytical and critical thinking skills, you’ll gain experience in research and data analysis, providing you with practical abilities for a contemporary policy and analysis career. Upon graduation, you’ll be ready for a range of roles which may include working within the government, private, not-for-profit or community sectors. Or if further learning is your preferred next-step, you’ll be well-prepared to engage in study for a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) degree.

Study a Bachelor of Social and Economic Policy (Sociology) at UC and you will:

• Analyse the complexities of contemporary policy environments, identifying key sociological issues and developing corresponding solutions
• Evaluate a range of social and cultural theories and apply them to contemporary social problems and scenarios
• Critique popular explanations of contemporary social life through the application of rigorous methods of enquiry
• Examine the dynamics of power, cultural meanings and social inequities
• Recognise, analyse and evaluate the relationships between the scarcity of resources, the nature of values, and the design of social and economic policy in local and global contexts.

Work Integrated Learning

The structure and content of this degree has been informed by the needs of employers and industry specialists, making it relevant to successful employment and career outcomes. It includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities in the form of internships, professional practice units, capstone projects, networking and Study Abroad opportunities. The School of Politics, Economics and Society (SchoPES) employs renown economics and sociology scholars so you’ll have opportunities to become involved in high-profile socio-economic research if you’re keen to explore a research-led route.

Given the broad employment prospects associated with the degree, student WIL placements can occur across a range of fields, including with state and federal government departments, regulatory agencies, not-for-profit and community organisations, consulting firms, peak body associations and the private sector.

Specialist Major: Sociology

The sociology major aims to give students a wide-ranging exposure to applied social science and help them develop the knowledge and skills to analyse and develop solutions to social issues in real world settings. The major prepares students for work in government, for-profit and not-for-profit social sector organisations, and the community sector. Students studying sociology will be introduced to concepts and ideas that assist them to develop foundational knowledge of social change in order to understand contemporary social life. The sociology major examines how social groups help shape human actions in society. The major prepares graduates to be effective professionals with communication, critical, and analytical skills as well as providing a strong basis for understanding sociological issues and social policy.