Study area
Humanities and Social Sciences
By studying Humanities and Social Sciences, you’ll gain a critical understanding of how society shapes, and is shaped by, culture, politics, geography, economics, media, history, language, the environment and more. You will develop the knowledge and skills to define complex problems, and identify and design solutions, while being supported in your passion to drive and implement change.
With our collaborations across industry, government and community, you’ll apply knowledge and expertise to respond to major societal opportunities, challenges and injustices, such as achieving sustainable development, addressing climate change, eliminating poverty, strengthening global communications and improving the mental health of communities.
Within the humanities, through the study of culture, language, literature, history and philosophy, you'll examine the human experience and gain a deep understanding of the connections that tie us all together.
Within the social sciences, which bridges the social, physical and environmental sciences, you'll use a scientific approach to define and understand the development and operations of contemporary and past societies and their influence on the world.
Top five reasons to study Humanities and Social Sciences at UWA
1. Be part of our vibrant student community by joining one of our many Humanities and Social Sciences student clubs including the Arts Union of UWA, Archaeological Society of UWA, UWA French Club, UWA Undergraduate Philosophy Society and more
2. Get practical training through internships, hands-on learning with industry and business partners, and overseas study opportunities.
3. 86% for teaching quality and 86% for learning resources satisfaction rate for undergraduate Humanities and Social Sciences (Good Universities Guide 2024)
4. #1 in WA for Arts and Humanities, English Language and Literature, Modern Languages, Psychology, and Social Sciences and Management (QS WUR by Subject 2024)
5. WA’s largest language hub with four European languages, four Asian languages and two Classical languages taught
Where our graduates go
Bachelor of Human Rights
UWA's Bachelor of Human Rights is a unique, interdisciplinary program of study that equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage with real-world issues in human rights, and related areas such as social justice.
Preparing you for a successful career
Connecting you with industry
Gain a critical edge with our global research collaborations and strong links with industry leaders.
Our established network of connections spans the creative and public sectors, including Perth Fashion Festival, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, City of Perth, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Department of Commerce.
Our corporate supporters ensure you stay at the forefront of industry trends by providing guest lectures, case studies, mentoring and a suite of scholarships and prizes to help you achieve at the highest level.
Skills for the future
Graduates are now required to hold a bank of transferable skills. These skills can never be automated or replicated by artificial intelligence, ensuring you’re well equipped for the jobs of the future.
Emerging skills:
- Creativity, originality and initiative
- Analytical thinking
- Complex problem-solving
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Leadership and social influence
- Emotional intelligence
Source: Australian Government, Department of Jobs and Small Business, Australian Jobs 2019
Industry snapshot
Study in this area will provide you with a range of skills you can use in different careers locally, nationally and internationally. You could apply your expertise to sectors and industries such as government, nongovernment, higher education, media and communications organisations, advertising or arts and cultural organisations.
Potential jobs
- Arts administrator/manager
- Business administration manager
- Communications adviser
- Editor or journalist
- Foreign affairs and trade officer
- Historian
- Intelligence analyst
- Media producer
- Parliamentarian
- Policy manager/adviser
- Public relations manager
- Translator or interpreter
Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
The Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability provides a unique blend of social sciences, humanities, environmental studies, and policy. You'll delve into the latest research and best practices in sustainability, hear from community and industry leaders and gain hands-on experience in tackling complex social and environmental challenges.
Undergraduate courses
To find out more about our range of undergraduate courses, visit Our courses explained.
- Majors
-
- Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing
- Anthropology
- Applied Human Geography
- Archaeology
- Asian Studies
- Chinese Studies
- Classics and Ancient History
- Communication and Media Studies
- Criminology
- English and Literary Studies
- Fine Arts
- French Studies
- Gender Studies
- German Studies
- History
- History of Art
- Humanities in Health and Medicine
- Human Rights (Extended Major)
- Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage
- Indonesian Studies
- International Relations (Extended Major)
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Korean Studies
- Law and Society
- Linguistics
- Music: Electronic Music and Sound Design
- Music: General Studies
- Music: Music Studies
- Philosophy
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Extended Major)
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychological and Behavioural Sciences
- Science and Technology in Society
- Social and Environmental Sustainability (Extended Major)
- Spanish Studies
- Work and Employment Relations
- Minors
-
- Active Citizenship
- Chinese Language and Culture
- Creative Writing Studies
- Cross Cultural Communication
- Digital Citizenship
- French
- German
- Indonesian Language and Culture
- Italian
- Japanese Language and Culture
- Korean Language and Culture
- Ocean Innovation
- Spanish
- Science and Policy: Climate Change, Environmental Planning and Urban Environments
- Bachelor's degrees
-
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Human Rights
- Bachelor of International Relations
- Bachelor of Media and Communication
- Bachelor of Modern Languages
- Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
- Combined bachelor’s degrees
-
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Art History and Curatorial Studies and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Modern Languages
- Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Human Rights and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Human Rights and Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of International Relations and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Mathematics and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Media and Communication and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Media and Communication and Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Modern Languages and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Modern Languages and Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Bachelor of Modern Languages and Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Modern Languages and Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Modern Languages and Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) and Bachelor of Modern Languages
- Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability and Bachelor of Arts
- Combined bachelor's and master's degrees
-
- Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching (Secondary)
- Integrated honours
- Honours
Postgraduate courses
- Graduate certificates
- Graduate diplomas
-
- Master's degrees
-
- Commerce and Translation Studies
- Forensic Anthropology
- International Development
- International Law and International Relations
- International Relations
- Public Policy
- Science Communication
- Social Work
- Strategic Communication
- Translation Studies
- Research degrees
Articles you might like
- New courses to help you make a global impact
- Get practical with an arts degree
- Why you should take a language as your second major or minor
- What is the difference between urban design and regional planning and environmental planning?
- How you can navigate global challenges
- Cultivating empathy for career success
Have a question? Get in touch with us
- Domestic students
- Online enquiry
131 UWA (131 892)
8.30am–5.00pm (AWST), Monday to Friday - International students
- Online enquiry
+61 8 6488 1000
8.30am–5.00pm (AWST), Monday to Friday - Online consultation
- Book a virtual consultation