Studying Humanities and Social Sciences in Australia and New Zealand

What humanities and social sciences include

Humanities and social sciences cover a wide range of disciplines: history, philosophy, languages and literature, politics and international relations, sociology, anthropology, geography, economics, criminology, and more. At Australian and New Zealand universities these are usually delivered through a flexible Bachelor of Arts (BA), and sometimes a Bachelor of Social Science.

The defining feature is flexibility. Rather than a fixed curriculum, the BA is built around majors and minors you select, letting you combine fields — for example pairing politics with a language, or sociology with criminology.

This guide explains how the structure works so you can plan a coherent degree rather than a scattered set of subjects.

Majors, minors and how the BA is structured

A Bachelor of Arts is typically organised around a major (your main area of depth) plus a minor or a second major, with elective subjects giving breadth. You choose these within the rules of the specific degree, so the same BA can look very different from one student to the next.

Plan your major early, since some majors have prerequisite sequences (you must take introductory subjects before advanced ones). Read the degree structure on the university's site to see how many subjects make up a major and which combinations are allowed.

Choosing complementary majors and minors — rather than unrelated ones — usually produces a more coherent, career-ready degree.

• Major — your main area of depth (e.g. history, politics, sociology)
• Minor or second major — a complementary secondary area
• Electives — breadth subjects to round out the degree
• Check prerequisite sequences before choosing advanced subjects

Double degrees

A popular option in Australia and New Zealand is the double (combined) degree, which pairs a BA with another bachelor's — such as Arts/Law, Arts/Commerce, or Arts/Science — usually over a longer period than a single degree.

Double degrees let you combine the analytical and communication strengths of the humanities with a professional or technical qualification. They are demanding and longer, so weigh the extra time against the breadth they offer, and check the combined-degree rules for international students.

The honours year

Many Australian and New Zealand universities offer an honours year — an additional year of advanced, research-focused study after the bachelor's (or an embedded honours stream within it). Honours typically involves a research thesis and is often the gateway to postgraduate research such as a Master's by research or a PhD.

If you are considering research or academia, an honours year is worth planning for, as entry is usually based on strong results in your major. Check each university's honours entry requirements and how international students apply.

Transferable skills and careers

Humanities and social sciences degrees are valued for transferable skills: critical thinking, research, writing and communication, analysis of evidence and argument, and cultural and social understanding. These apply across many sectors.

Graduates work in areas such as public policy, government, communications and media, research, education, the not-for-profit sector, international relations, and business roles that reward strong writing and analysis. No degree guarantees a particular job, but the breadth of a humanities degree keeps options open.

To strengthen employability, pair your degree with internships, a relevant minor or double degree, and clear evidence of your written and analytical skills.