Overview

Explore social and economic policy from Canberra’s unique viewpoint

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 National Centre for Socio-Economic Modelling (NATSEM) is one of the University’s most renowned multidisciplinary research centres and 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.

Career opportunities

• Researcher
• Research fellow
• Policy officer
• Public affairs consultant
• Policy adviser
• Program manager
• Campaign manager
• Youth worker
• Multicultural affairs liaison
• Community project officer
• Electoral officer
• Human rights officer
• Social and political researcher
•   Survey and market researcher

Course-specific information

A clear pathway exists between this course and the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) degree.