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The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Bachelor of Behavioural Science

  • Bachelor

Do you wish to work with marginalised people to help them achieve social justice? The University of Notre Dame Australia's Bachelor of Behavioural Science is a three-year degree.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 years full-time
Course Code
3034, 040261C
Study Mode
In person

About this course

School of Arts & Sciences

Do you wish to work with marginalised people to help them achieve social justice? The University of Notre Dame Australia's Bachelor of Behavioural Science is a three-year degree. As part of your degree, you will explore and analyse different socio-economic groups and communities within society and see how they cope with their various government, social, and legal pressures. You will also receive training that allows you to work compassionately with marginalised people and help them achieve social justice. Get in touch today to start your learning journey.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

* Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section*.

OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Study locations

Fremantle

What you will learn

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science is a unique program that combines elements of psychology, political science, cultural studies and sociology. Integrating specialised knowledge developed in these social science disciplines and with a strong focus on critical psychology, the program forges a connection between traditional psychology and social work.

During this program, you will understand your place and role in society and respect social and cultural diversity. Embedded within the degree is a specific emphasis on the assumptions and practices that promote substantive reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

As a graduate, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to work with those who may be experiencing marginalisation or disadvantage. Depending on your particular specialisations and choice of subjects, employment opportunities will be available in various industries and fields, including advertising, community development, social impact assessment and more.

Work Integrated Learning: The Behavioural Science Internship forms a vital part of this degree and offers you the chance to apply the theoretical knowledge of your degree in a professional environment.

The Internship requires that you complete a minimum of 80 hours within an organisation to gain valuable practical and professional skills as part of your Behavioural Science degree. You may undertake specific projects or tasks, engage in directed research, facilitate groups, write reports and develop projects or program initiatives as part of your internship. There is also an option to do a report-based Professional Project.

Career pathways

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; the following careers are open to graduates: community development, youth work, policy development, corporate liaison, advertising, social impact assessment and more.

Course structure

For a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, you will complete 24 courses.
Note: If you are a double-degree student taking Behavioural Science as your second degree, you will complete only the Twelve (12) required Behavioural Science courses listed below.

Twelve Behavioural Science courses are completed and you may choose to use nine elective courses to study a Major in another discipline or six elective courses to study a Minor, or you can use your elective courses to study more Behavioural Science courses.

Required Communications course (1 course)

All students in the Bachelor of Arts complete this course.

  • ARTS1000 Academic Writing, Communication and Research

Twelve (12) required Behavioural Science courses

  • Introductory
    • ABOR1000 Aboriginal People
    • PSYCH1030 Introduction to Psychology A
    • BESC2260 Contemporary Family Issues
    • BESC1050 Social Science Research
  • Intermediate
    • BESC2240 Discourse, Power and Politics
    • BESC2140 Organisational Behaviour
    • BESC2250 Culture and Society
    • BESC2160 Psychological Perspectives on Health
  • Advanced
    • BESC3930 Community: Policy and Development
    • BESC3150 Professional Practice in Behavioural Science
    • BESC3110 Qualitative Research Methods and Practice
    • ARTS3002 Internship / Professional Project

Nine (9) elective courses

You can choose from a range of elective courses from the Faculty of Arts, Science, Business and Law to fill your degree (e.g., in Social Justice, Counselling, Communications & Media, Management, Psychology, Human Resource Management, etc). You can also complete extra Behavioural Science courses. Courses from the list of disciplines below may be used to form an 8-course Major or a 6-course Minor.

  • Archaeology
  • Biology (Major only)
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Management
  • History
  • Human Resource Management
  • Journalism
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Social Justice
  • Theology

Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

Full details of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.