Sociologist (NSW/ACT)

State/Territory Specific Information

Education and Training:

To become a sociologist you usually have to complete an arts, humanities or social science degree at university with a major in sociology. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Applicants may be required to attend an interview. Most universities in Australia offer degrees in arts, humanities or social sciences with a major in sociology. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact Open Universities Australia or the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

  1. Diploma of Liberal Studies
  2. Diploma of Social Science
  3. Advanced Diploma of Arts
  4. Bachelor of Art Theory / Bachelor of Arts
  5. Bachelor of Arts *
  6. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Advertising and Marketing Communication
  7. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Studies
  8. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Business *
  9. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Commerce *
  10. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies
  11. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Digital Arts
  12. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Economics
  13. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Education - Primary
  14. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Global Studies
  15. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Information Technology *
  16. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of International Studies
  17. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Journalism
  18. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws *
  19. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Management
  20. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Media Arts and Production
  21. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Music
  22. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Public Relations
  23. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science *
  24. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science - Psychology *
  25. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Social Work *
  26. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Speech Pathology
  27. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Teaching *
  28. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Teaching - Secondary
  29. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Visual Arts
  30. Bachelor of Arts / Diploma in Education
  31. Bachelor of Arts / Master of Nursing
  32. Bachelor of Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws
  33. Bachelor of Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science
  34. Bachelor of Business Administration / Bachelor of Arts *
  35. Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Arts *
  36. Bachelor of Community Welfare
  37. Bachelor of Creative Arts / Bachelor of Arts
  38. Bachelor of Creative Arts / Bachelor of International studies
  39. Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice / Bachelor of Laws
  40. Bachelor of Development Studies *
  41. Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Arts
  42. Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Arts
  43. Bachelor of Engineering - Computer or Electrical or Telecommunications / Bachelor of Arts
  44. Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Arts *
  45. Bachelor of Environmental Science / Bachelor of Arts
  46. Bachelor of Indigenous Studies
  47. Bachelor of Indigenous Studies / Bachelor of Laws
  48. Bachelor of Information Technology / Bachelor of Arts
  49. Bachelor of International and Global Studies / Bachelor of Laws
  50. Bachelor of International Studies *
  51. Bachelor of Journalism / Bachelor of Arts
  52. Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science
  53. Bachelor of Management - Events and Leisure
  54. Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Arts *
  55. Bachelor of Music Studies / Bachelor of Arts
  56. Bachelor of Pacific Studies
  57. Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Science / Bachelor of Laws
  58. Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences
  59. Bachelor of Science - Advanced Mathematics / Bachelor of Arts
  60. Bachelor of Science - Advanced Science / Bachelor of Arts
  61. Bachelor of Science - Advanced Science / Bachelor of Social Science
  62. Bachelor of Science - Computer Science / Bachelor of Arts
  63. Bachelor of Science - Physics / Bachelor of Arts
  64. Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts *
  65. Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Social Science
  66. Bachelor of Social Science *
  67. Bachelor of Social Science / Bachelor of Laws *
  68. Bachelor of Social Work / Bachelor of Social Science
  69. Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours)
  70. Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Honours) / Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery
  71. Bachelor of Philosophy - Arts and Social Sciences (Honours)

Employment Opportunities:

Sociologists are usually employed as academics and consultants. They may also work as independent authors of both academic and mainstream articles and books. Sociology graduates find employment in a number of related fields of social research, planning and policy development and evaluation. Private enterprise is increasingly employing sociologists in the areas of survey research, consultancy, equal opportunity and human resources.

Sociology is relevant to a career in social work, ethnic and social justice affairs, health sciences and correctional and other community services.

Students who wish to pursue an academic career should aim to achieve good results in an honours degree, followed by a higher degree by research.

Social problems such as unemployment and juvenile crime create demand for sociologists' skills. Demand is also affected by government funding in the public service, education and scientific research areas.

For Further Information:

The Australian Sociological Association (TASA)

(03) 9214 5283

Information for other states and territories: