Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) Bachelor of International Studies

Note

This course information relates to students commencing a combined degree with the Bachelor of International Studies in 2022. Students who commenced a combined degree with the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies prior to 2022 should refer to the Handbook for the year they commenced their degree.

The Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) at UTS is designed for those passionate about influencing key areas of public policy like climate change, human rights or issues facing Indigenous Australians and migrants. In the course, students explore current social issues, investigate society and analyse the implications of change in Australian and global communities. In this practice-led course, students work with experienced practitioners to develop their skills as researchers, analysts, critical thinkers, effective communicators and advocates, and bring key policy issues to life with their interpersonal and public communication skills.

This degree combines a professional degree with language and culture studies, enhancing professional training and career options by providing students with the opportunity to undertake studies at an overseas University.

The Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) will provide students with a theoretical framework rooted in historical and philosophical perspectives on how societies function, bolstering this with applied learning in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to tackle key social issues and make a real difference through research and communication, contributing to new and ongoing debates. They graduate with a multifaceted skillset to bring to diverse organisations striving for social change.

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Innovation and Transdisciplinary program

Transdisciplinarity and Innovation at UTS

All UTS students have the opportunity to develop distinctive capabilities around transdisciplinary thinking and innovation through the TD School. Transdisciplinary education at UTS brings together great minds from different disciplines to explore ideas that improve the way we live and work in the world. These offerings are unique to UTS and directly translate to many existing and emerging roles and careers.

Diploma in Innovation

The Diploma in Innovation (C20060) teaches innovation, supports personal transformation and provides the hard skills needed to support the inventors and inventions of the future. Students come out of the Diploma in Innovation, with the hard skills to create and support sectoral and societal transformation. Graduates are able to fluently integrate ideas, across professional disciplines and are inventors of the future.

All UTS undergraduate students (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation) can apply for the Diploma in Innovation upon admission in their chosen undergraduate degree. It is a complete degree program that runs in parallel to any undergraduate degree. The course is offered on a three-year, part-time basis, with subjects running in 3-week long intensive blocks in July, December and February sessions. More information including a link to apply is available at https://dipinn.uts.edu.au.

Transdisciplinary electives program

Transdisciplinary electives broaden students' horizons and supercharge their problem-solving skills, helping them to learn outside, beyond and across their degrees. Students enrolled in an undergraduate course that includes electives can choose to take a transdisciplinary subject (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation). More information about the TD Electives program is available here.

Study plan

The typical course program is shown below for students commencing in Autumn session with the German Language and Culture major, and completing the Language, Culture & the Professional World pathway or the International Honours pathway.

All students choose a second major stream when enrolling in their first session. This 18-credit-point stream consists of three major subjects from another major. Students can choose any second major (excluding Media Arts and Production).

Students who choose not to continue with their second major choice can continue in their course by choosing 30 credit points of electives (i.e. five subjects). Students wishing to complete 30 credit point of electives should request this via erequest.

It is recommended that students who elect to complete the Language, Culture & Global Exchange pathway complete 999781 International Research Methods in Year 3 Autumn, so that they can undertake their Exchange session during Year 4 Autumn.

First year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Citizenship and Communication 54000 8
Self and Society 52670 6
Histories of the Present 52671 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Stream choice cbk92065 18
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Digital Literacies 54001 8
Comparing Indigenous Histories and Politics 52672 6
Select 12 credit points from the following: 12
Stream choice cbk92065 18
December session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Intercultural Communication 99218 8

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Political Ideas and Change 52673 6
German Language and Culture 1 97601 8
Contemporary Germany 976421 8
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Global Economies 52674 6
Investigating Urban Change 52675 6
German Language and Culture 2 97602 8
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Second Major Choice cbk92063 48
Electives cbk92066 30

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Communicating Difference 54002 8
German Language and Culture 3 97603 8
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Second Major Choice cbk92063 48
Electives cbk92066 30
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
German Language and Culture 4 97604 8
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Second Major Choice cbk92063 48
Electives cbk92066 30
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Elective Choice cbk92062 24

Fourth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
International Research Methods 999781 8
Select 16 credit points from the following: 16
Pathway Options (Germany) cbk92076 40
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Select 24 credit points from the following: 24
Pathway Options (Germany) cbk92076 40

Fifth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Policy and Advocacy 52676 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Second Major Choice cbk92063 48
Electives cbk92066 30
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Elective Choice cbk92062 24
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Professional Placement 52677 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Second Major Choice cbk92063 48
Electives cbk92066 30
Select 8 credit points from the following: 8
Elective Choice cbk92062 24

Honours

The Bachelor of Communication (Honours) (C09047) is available with an additional year of full-time study for eligible students.

Students who complete the subjects in the International Honours pathway are eligible for transfer into the Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) exit course on completion of all coursework. This transfer is managed by the Student Centre and occurs just prior to graduation.

First year

Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Digital Literacies 54001 8
Histories of the Present 52671 6
Comparing Indigenous Histories and Politics 52672 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Stream choice cbk92087 18
December session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Intercultural Communication 99218 8

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Self and Society 52670 6
German Language and Culture 1 97601 8
Contemporary Germany 976421 8
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Stream choice cbk92087 18
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Global Economies 52674 6
German Language and Culture 2 97602 8
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Stream choice cbk92087 18

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Citizenship and Communication 54000 8
German Language and Culture 3 97603 8
Political Ideas and Change 52673 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Investigating Urban Change 52675 6
German Language and Culture 4 97604 8
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Second Major Choice cbk92081 48
Electives cbk92066 30

Fourth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
International Research Methods 999781 8
Select 16 credit points from the following: 16
Pathway Options (Germany) cbk92076 40
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Select 24 credit points from the following: 24
Pathway Options (Germany) cbk92076 40

Fifth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Communicating Difference 54002 8
Policy and Advocacy 52676 6
Select 12 credit points from the following: 12
Second Major Choice cbk92081 48
Electives cbk92066 30
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
The Agency 52667 6
Select 12 credit points from the following: 12
Elective Choice cbk92062 24
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Second Major Choice cbk92081 48
Electives cbk92066 30

Sixth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Second Major Choice cbk92081 48
Electives cbk92066 30
Select 12 credit points from the following: 12
Elective Choice cbk92062 24

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

All students at UTS pay tuition fees to contribute towards the cost of their studies.

In 2024 all offers made to domestic undergraduate students will be for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), which means that the Australian government makes a substantial contribution towards the cost of your education, and you pay the balance through student contributions.

The amount you pay depends on your area of study and the number of credit points (cp) in which you enrol. At UTS 48 credit points is considered to be one Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL).

The table to the right shows the amount a student can expect to pay for one year of full-time study (1.0 EFTSL).

Students can choose to pay their student contribution upfront, or if eligible, can defer their fees through HECS-HELP.

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional cost.

You can calculate your student contribution as a percentage of the amounts shown on the table. Fee rates are divided into four bands covering broad discipline areas.  It is important to note that a particular subject within a course may fall within a different band.

For example, if you are enrolled in a 6-credit point Architecture subject, your contribution would be 6/48 x $9,314 = $1,164.

Student contribution amounts for 2025 commencing students

2025 student contribution - Area of StudyAmount for 48 cp
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications and Society and Culture$16,992
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science$13,241
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual & Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science and Pathology$9,314
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing or Foreign Languages and Agriculture$4,627

International student

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students can be found using tuition fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

For this course, the cost per credit point for 2025 is $876. The total credit points are 240.


All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.

Careers

To increase career flexibility, students can add a second major from five of the other majors offered in the Bachelor of Communication, and build further skills and portfolios that equip them for a range of work options in media and communication. These courses give students practical and transferrable skills for the expanding media industries.

Career options include research in think tanks and academia, policy research, analysis and program management in government and private organisations, management of social services and welfare organisations, and advocacy in a variety of fields, such as environmental, Indigenous affairs, human rights, overseas development, and trade unions.

Course structure

Course structure explained

Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) (144 credit points)

  • Core subjects (24 credit points)
  • Major subjects (48 credit points)
  • Second Major or Electives (48 credit points)
  • Electives (24 credit points)

International Studies (96 credit points). Students select the language they will study at the time of enrolment, and either the Language, Culture and the Professional World pathway or the Language, Culture and Global Exchange pathway. Information relating to entry into the International Honours pathway can be found in the Information for Students section.

Overseas study

In the International studies component students have the following options:

  1. Language, Culture & the Professional World: includes an internship and option of a short study abroad experience (2-6 weeks) overseas.
  2. Language, Culture & Global Exchange: includes an internship and a 6-month global exchange at any UTS partner university
  3. International Honours: includes a full year at a relevant partner university where students complete an honours level research project.
Industrial training/professional practice

All subjects provide students with practical research skills that are applied in real-world settings. The final three subjects are project-based, allowing students to work on topical issues and be placed with a community, corporate or government organisation, or within NSW Parliament.

Students can also elect to undertake a professional internship in industry.

Course completion requirements
Requirement Credit Points
STM91104 Communication core 24
MAJ09476 Social and Political Sciences 48
CBK92062 Elective Choice 24
CBK92061 Second Major/ Electives 48
CBK92057 Country and Language choice 96
Total 240

Additional information

Course duration

This course is offered on a five-year, full-time basis.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Check to see if there are additional admission requirements for this course.

Additional information relating to this course, including the ATAR profile of domestic students who commenced this course in Autumn 2022, is located under UTS' admissions requirements, alongside information relating to the commencing student cohort who were enrolled in this course past the Autumn 2022 census date.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for this course, there may be alternative pathways to help you gain admission.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Communication Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

For course specific information see the Bachelor of International Studies Diploma in Languages Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

ATAR and selection ranks

To find out further information regarding ATAR and selection ranks from previous applicants who received an offer to this course, please visit our Admissions Stats Tool

Assumed knowledge

There are no prior language requirements for the international studies program. During their first year of study students complete a language survey to ensure they commence their language and culture study at the appropriate level.

Year 12 adjustment factor scheme

To see a list of courses where HSC subjects provide adjustment factors, please refer to the Year 12 adjustment factors page.

Scholarships and prizes

Scholarships

For Communication and International Studies - 2 students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication and International Studies - 2 students

Download a course guide

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Course Guides

UTS: Handbook

See the Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) Bachelor of International Studies in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

Information for international students

Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.

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Domestic students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

How to apply

Domestic applicants can apply via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (opens an external site)

UAC code(s): 609345 (Autumn session)

Make a note of the relevant UAC code before starting the UAC application.

Intake

Autumn Session 2025
Spring Session 2025

Important dates

NOVEMBER 2024
1
Closing date for change of preferences (November Round 1)
8
UAC offers released (November Round 1)
14
Closing date for change of preferences (November Round 2)
21
UAC offers released (November Round 2)
28
Closing date for change of preferences (December Round 1)
DECEMBER 2024
5
UAC offers released (December Round 1)
18
UTS Info Day
18
Closing date for change of preferences (December Round 2)
23
UAC offers released (December Round 2)
JANUARY 2025
2
Closing date for change of preferences (January Round 1)
9
UAC offers released (January Round 1)
16
Closing date for change of preferences (January Round 2)
23
UAC offers released (January Round 2)
30
Closing date for change of preferences (February Round 1)
FEBRUARY 2025
3 - 14
Autumn session orientation
6
UAC offers released (February Round 1)
7
Closing date for change of preferences (February Round 2)
13
UAC offers released (February Round 2)
17
Autumn session commences (main calendar)
27
Closing date for change of preferences (March Round 1)
MARCH 2025
3
Last day to enrol for Autumn session
6
UAC offers released (March Round 1)
20
Autumn census date – last day to withdraw from subjects or apply for leave of absence

Need more information?

Ask UTS

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Communication and International Studies - 2 students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication and International Studies - 2 students

International students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

You can meet an international student advisor at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.

Important dates

Visit the UTS Handbook for full academic dates. Visit essential information for international students for the application closing dates.

How to apply

International applicants can apply to study through UTS International.

International applicants who are currently doing:

  • an Australian Year 12 qualification in or outside Australia
  • an International Baccalaureate, or
  • a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3

can apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (opens external site).

Intake

Autumn Session 2025
Spring Session 2025

Apply online

Download an application form

Need more information?

Ask a question

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Communication and International Studies - 2 students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Communication and International Studies - 2 students

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.