Bachelor of Arts (Public and Social Policy)

This major introduces you to the key ideas and practices that shape social justice and public policy in contemporary Australia. 

You will explore how justice operates across government, community organisations and public institutions, and examine how political systems, public debate and civic participation influence social change. Your studies will also consider how people and movements create change through advocacy, activism and collective action. 

You will develop an understanding of how policy is formed, from early ideas through to planning and decision-making, while building skills in critical analysis, evidence-based thinking and ethical practice. Throughout the core units, you will examine Australian society through themes such as inequality, identity, power and social change, and consider how policy responses shape lived experience across communities. 

With the flexibility of this course, you have the option to choose to specialise your major in one of two areas to suit your career goals:  

Practice-based careers 

You can choose a specialisation if you wish to focus on professional practice in areas such as public health, community work or social services, building skills to work directly with people and organisations.  

Justice - policy and advocacy 

The policy and advocacy pathway that develops advanced skills in policy making, critical analysis and social justice advocacy, preparing you for roles in government, NGOs, research, campaigning or policy advisory work. 

With careful curation of your complimentary studies, you can tailor your degree to roles in policy, media, education, design and cultural organisations by examining how technology, communication, education and design shape society and social change. 

Double degrees

Combine your Bachelor of Arts major with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and graduate with two qualifications in just 5.5 years.  

This powerful combination is ideal if you want to pair your disciplinary expertise with legal knowledge to prepare you to advocate for reform, influence policy development and contribute to more just and equitable systems. 

• Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 

Careers and outcomes

Graduates from this major are prepared for diverse roles across government, industry, NGOs and community organisations. You’ll graduate with adaptable skills in research, communication, ethical judgement and applied problem-solving.