Bachelor of Social Science for 2013

At a glance

Major study areas  
2013 Handbook entry 

Career opportunities

Job market growth in the health, local government, and workplace and education sectors continues unabated. There is a strong demand for multi-skilled programme managers and for prevention promotion workers, particularly to work with vulnerable groups and ageing populations. Government directions for health programmes in most African countries are now geared for jobs in community settings rather than hospitals, to deal with rising rates of chronic conditions and disease, as the shift from hospital to community based programmes continues. Government and non-government organisations are constantly in need of health policy analysts and policy makers especially as health, social and other policy sectors are expected to develop partnerships and cross-sector partnerships and policies (i.e. transport and health, environments and health).

Careers in the public, private, or non-profit sectors might include:

  • Accident, illness and disease prevention and control
  • Biostatistics
  • Community health work
  • Education and teaching
  • Epidemiology
  • Health administration
  • Health awareness, policy and promotion
  • Nutrition, dietetics and exercise
  • Psychology
  • Public health management
  • Research

Professional recognitions

International

At Monash South Africa the Bachelor of Social Science with a major in psychology (ten units) is accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA).

Why study Bachelor of Social Science?

Employers seek flexible, well-informed graduates who are sophisticated communicators and analytical thinkers. The Bachelor of Social Science is designed to instill such qualities into students.

The world of work is changing rapidly and students will need to take a global outlook and be adaptable in order to succeed. This course prodives a rich basis of skills and knowledge for graduates to build on through Honours and postgraduate programs and training in the workplace.

With the skills and knowledge developed through their degree, graduates will be equipped to apply for positions in a diverse range of fields. These include journalism and publishing, business research and analysis, public relations and marketing, human resources, training and development, administrative positions, public or civil services, diplomacy, public policy makers, social and community services, counselling, social welfare and psychological services.

Entry requirements

View entry requirements and applications for domestic students

Duration

3 years full-time
6 years part-time

Fees for 2013

Fees are subject to change annually.

Fee information not presently available.

From 1 January 2012 all students pay a Student Services and Amenities fee each calendar year.

Note: Fees for courses offered in Malaysia and South Africa will differ from those shown here.

Intakes

First Semester (March), Second Semester (July)

Attendances

  • On-campus at South Africa: full-time, part-time

Note: attendances for courses offered in Malaysia and South Africa will differ from those shown here.

Faculty

Faculty of Arts

Course code: 4086

CRICOS code:

Find out more

Enquire now   Apply now   Entry requirements   South Africa Student Inquiries
Telephone: +27 11 950 4009
Email: inquiries@monash.ac.za

Entry requirements

View entry requirements and applications for international students

Duration

3 years full-time

Fees for 2013

Fees are subject to change annually.

Fee information not presently available.

From 1 January 2012 all students pay a Student Services and Amenities fee each calendar year.

Note: Fees for courses offered in Malaysia and South Africa will differ from those shown here.

Intakes

First Semester (March), Second Semester (July)

Attendances

  • On-campus at South Africa: full-time

Note: attendances for courses offered in Malaysia and South Africa will differ from those shown here.

Faculty

Faculty of Arts

Course code: 4086

CRICOS code:

Find out more

Enquire now   Apply now   Entry requirements  

South Africa Student Enquiries

Telephone: +27 11 950 4009
Email: inquiries@monash.ac.za

Admissions information for domestic students

Entry requirements

Minimum entrance requirements

You must be at least 17 years old when you enrol (applications may be made while you are 16).

Our classes are taught and assessed in English. View the English language requirements.

Entrance scores are indicative only and subject to change annually.

COURSE LEVEL ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

South African National Senior Certificate (NSC)

  • Minimum score: 32
  • Subject prerequisites: English (4)

South African Senior School Certificate (SAFCERT) prior to 2008

  • Minimum entry score into Bachelor of Social Science: 38

Minimum entrance requirements for non-school-leavers

If you don't meet the entry requirements for direct entry to the bachelor degree you'd like to study, the Foundation programme (MSAFP) can get you there. The programme bridges the gap between your highest qualification and the academic qualifications accepted by Monash South Africa.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Applications

More information can be found by visiting How to apply

Semester one (March)

Applicants for the South Africa campus should apply directly to the campus. More information can be found by visiting the campus website.

Semester two (July)

Applicants for the South Africa campus should apply directly to the campus. More information can be found by visiting the campus website.

Admissions information for international students

Entry requirements

International entry requirements

2013 international qualification entry requirements and scores for this course are available from the Undergraduate Qualifications Database.

You must be at least 17 years old when you enrol (applications may be made while you are 16).

Our classes are taught and assessed in English. View the English language requirements.

Entrance scores are indicative only and subject to change annually.

COURSE LEVEL ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

GCE A levels

  • Minimum score: 7
  • Subject prerequisites: Total score of a maximum of three A Level subjects taken in one academic year. Two AS level subjects can be counted in place of one A level subject, provided that the subject has not been taken at A level, and there is at least one A level subject in the calculation. Score A Level grades as follows: A* or A=5, B= 4, C=3, D=2, E=1. Score AS Level grades as follows: A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5. English (C in GSCE (O levels)).

International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma

  • Minimum score: 25
  • Subject prerequisites: English SL (4) or English HL (3)

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

  • Minimum score: 7
  • Subject prerequisites: Average score for the best seven grades (including English, Kiswahili and Mathematics) from 2009 onwards. Prior to 2009 average score for the best eight grades. Score grades as follows: A=12, A- =11, B+=10, B=9, B- =8, C+=7, C=6, C- =5, D+=4, D=3, D- =2, E=1. English (B).

Mauritius Higher School Certificate

  • inimum score: 7
  • Subject prerequisites: Total score of a maximum of three A Level subjects taken in one academic year. Two AS level subjects can be counted in place of one A level subject, provided that the subject has not been taken at A level, and there is at least one A level subject in the calculation. Score A Levels grades as follows: A=5, B= 4, C=3, D=2, E=1. Score AS Level grades as follows: A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5. English (C in O level or General Paper).

Namibia Higher Senior Secondary School Certificate

  • Minimum score: 18
  • Subject prerequisites: Total of all scores achieved in one academic year from six subjects. Score grades as follows: 1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Satisfactory, 4= Poor. English (3).

Nigeria Senior School Certificate

  • Minimum score: 6
  • Subject prerequisites: Average score from a maximum of nine subjects and a minimum of eight subjects. If average ends in decimal point then score should be rounded down. For example, an average of 4.9 should be rounded down to 4. Maximum score indicated left. Score grades as follows: A1=1, B2=2, B3=3, C4=4, C5=5, C6=6, D7=7, D8=8, F9=0. (S is a sub-pass). English (C).

SAT

  • Minimum score: 1710
  • Subject prerequisites: High School Diploma (Grade 12) and combined SAT scores of Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing.

Tanzania Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education

  • Minimum score: 7
  • Subject prerequisites: Total score of a maximum of three A Level subjects taken in one academic year. Two AS level subjects can be counted in place of one A level subject, provided that the subject has not been taken at A level, and there is at least one A level subject in the calculation. Score A Levels grades as follows: A=5, B= 4, C=3, D=2, E=1. Score AS Level grades as follows: A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5. English (C in CSE O levels).

Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education

  • Minimum score: 7
  • Subject prerequisites: Total score of a maximum of three A Level subjects taken in one academic year. Two AS level subjects can be counted in place of one A level subject, provided that the subject has not been taken at A level, and there is at least one A level subject in the calculation. Score A Levels grades as follows: A=5, B= 4, C=3, D=2, E=1. Score AS Level grades as follows: A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5. English (C in O levels) or English (General Paper 6 - 1).

Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level)

  • Minimum score: 7
  • Subject prerequisites: Total score of a maximum of three A Level subjects taken in one academic year. Two AS level subjects can be counted in place of one A level subject, provided that the subject has not been taken at A level, and there is at least one A level subject in the calculation. Score A Levels grades as follows: A=5, B= 4, C=3, D=2, E=1. Score AS Level grades as follows: A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5. English (C in O level)

For other qualifications contact the School of Social Science .

Minimum entrance requirements for non-school-leavers

If you don't meet the entry requirements for direct entry to the bachelor degree you'd like to study, the Foundation programme (MSAFP) can get you there. The programme bridges the gap between your highest qualification and the academic qualifications accepted by Monash South Africa.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Entry scores

2013 international qualification entry requirements and scores for this course are available from the Undergraduate Qualifications Database.

Qualification South Africa
A Level GCE (Click on the Undergraduate Qualifications Database link above for details on how the A-Level score is calculated.) 7

Applications

More information can be found by visiting How to apply

Semester one (March)

Applicants for the South Africa campus should apply directly to the campus. More information can be found by visiting the campus website.

Semester two (July)

Applicants for the South Africa campus should apply directly to the campus. More information can be found by visiting the campus website.

Major study areas

AFRICAN STUDIES

This interdisciplinary major aims to enhance students' knowledge and understanding of the African continent in areas such as literature, culture, geography and politics.

CHILD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Poor early life experience of children and adolescents - leading to harmful outcomes like underachievement, behaviour problems and crime - is a major focus in the study of child and youth development.

This major empowers you in assessing the needs of at-risk children and youth, teaches you how to design and implement programmes - for use in settings like early child care, education, the community, parent education, school, support and juvenile justice - and integrate tools and positive behaviour into the everyday life of children and youth, as well as what to do when an intervention is needed on someone's behalf.

COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES

Communications and media studies are concerned with the organisation, processes and effects of traditional and new communications technologies. You will learn to critically analyse the media, about the structure of communications industries and the relations between the media, culture and power.

CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

When you consider it away from the glamour of books, movies, television programmes and sensational media coverage, crime is revealed to be both a fascinating and incredibly complex subject.

If you have an interest in deviance, conflict, crime, victimisation, society and the need for creating and maintaining safety then studying a major in criminology and criminal justice is for you.

You'll learn that all forms of crime can have a significant negative impact on society, the economy and the environment. You'll graduate knowing how to deal effectively with crime, conflict and victimisation and also how to promote a democratic and just society with a human rights perspective.

GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Geography and environmental science is concerned with natural environments, societies, communities, economies, human environment relations and environmental management.

Physical geography emphasises the systematic study of environmental processes, climate, soils, land use, and landscapes. Human geography focuses on development, cities and communities, economic processes and cultural studies.

With this major you'll graduate with an analytical and critical perception of the current state of the global environment as well as challenges we face like global warming and climate change, and sustainable development concepts using state-of-the-art research methods and techniques.

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

International studies criss-crosses history, politics, international relations, sociology and economics.

As the world globalises and nations and economies become more integrated, understanding our world and the ideas and beliefs of our neighbours and trading partners is vital. It allows us to compete in the international marketplace of products, ideas and knowledge.

We begin by examining the history of the 20th century before moving on to issues facing the world as it moves into the 21st century and the issues and events that have shaped, and continue to shape, our world.

JOURNALISM

This major equips students with knowledge of the principles, methods, craft and practice of journalism in the printed, electronic, online and video media. Particular attention is paid to the skills of lawful and responsible reporting in the economic, investigative, sporting and cultural fields.

Your 'real life' journalistic responses will require you to think strategically and logically about your intended audience, and professional standards are expected.

LITERARY AND CULTURAL STUDIES

This minor introduces students to a range of literary and cultural texts drawn from different historical periods and parts of the world, and aims to enhance students learning of analytical and critical skills.

PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy raises questions about the basic assumptions of every form of human inquiry - and attempts to find answers. Philosophy at Monash focuses on two key areas - ethics and political philosophy - and aims to develop open-mindedness and various skills of critical appraisal that can help you gain a better understanding of both yourself and your culture.

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is concerned with a wide range of phenomena including remembering and forgetting, thinking, problem-solving, learning, and the acquisition of skills, language, seeing and hearing, decision-making, verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and emotions. It is also concerned with the practical and ethical applications of psychology research to the profession.

While the major focus is on people, animals are also studied because they are of interest in their own right. Monash undergraduate psychology embraces all of these topics at each of the campuses.

PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICE

Public relations practice prodives students with both an understanding and the application of relevant competencies and skills to meet the challenges of contributing to organisational effectiveness, and can prepare them for careers in managing the strategic corporate communication and public relations functions of an organisation.

An emphasis is placed on skills development in the utilisation of both traditional and new media, publicity and media relations, stakeholder mapping and profiling, integrated strategic planning and the interfaces between marketing, advertising and corporate communication.

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is the study of the processes of social organisation and change and their consequences in human life. Sociologists look to things like social class, gender, ethnicity, power and culture to understand and explain the differences in how people, live, think and feel.

Sociology also involves the study of social policy in an attempt to apply what is learned through research to the major issues confronting societies.

We examine how differences in the ways societies are organised both limit and make possible other features of social life. We focus on the structures, cultures and change in industrial and post-industrial societies in a local, national and global context, and seek to describe and explain patterns of social change.