Bachelor (Honours)
Take your passions, purpose and potential to new heights with an advanced double degree at a global top 20 university*.
Take your passions, purpose and potential to new heights with an advanced double degree at a global top 20 university*. You'll benefit from a broad and flexible education with hands-on learning experiences, cutting-edge facilities and learn from world-leading academics to prepare you for the jobs of tomorrow.
The Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers. From earth science to psychology, mathematics to biotech, no matter what you choose, you will gain in-demand transferable skills that you can apply to almost any industry.
In the Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, you'll explore various political, international, social, environmental and economic challenges. You'll gain the knowledge and skills you need to inform public debate and shape the policies that affect society.
With expertise across two highly relevant disciplines, this double degree will broaden your skill set and expand your career possibilities.
*QS World University Rankings 2024
Flexibility and variety to customise your career path
At UNSW, you'll be encouraged to explore a wide range of focus areas and career paths so you can shape your degree to suit your passions, purpose and potential. In Advanced Science (Honours), choose from 24 majors across the physical, natural and human sciences. In Social Sciences, you'll have 16 specialisations on offer, including policy, environment, sociology, media and international studies. With so many options, you'll be well-equipped to find the path suited to your goals.
Strengthen your skills with a supervised research project
Your honours year is an integral part of your degree. It involves a supervised research project and, in some cases, advanced coursework. You'll conduct original scientific investigations and analyses while developing critical and integrative thinking skills.
Multiply your opportunities with a specialised double degree
Employers are always looking for candidates who stand out from the crowd. Graduating with a competitive double degree demonstrates dedication and specialised expertise, giving you a competitive advantage in the job market.
Explore your career possibilities through research and work integrated learning
Bridge the gap between study and employment with our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and Research Integrated Learning (RIL) opportunities. These experiences allow you to explore different career paths and apply your skills professionally while being guided by world-leading academics.
During your studies, you'll collaborate with students from a range of disciplines to tackle real-world problems in project-based learning initiatives. This multidisciplinary educational approach allows you to develop essential technical and professional skills, so you thrive in your future career.
As one of the world's top 20 universities*, we're guiding the future leaders of science and economics in Australia and overseas.
UNSW Science has eight study areas ranked in the top 50 globally**, including psychology (#30), environmental sciences (#33) and earth and marine sciences (#33). We're ranked 1st in Australia for research output in chemistry and physical sciences and 2nd in Australia for research output in earth and environmental sciences.^
*QS World University Rankings 2024
**QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
^Nature Index Institution Outputs, 1 Dec 2019 - 30 Nov 2020
With over $450 million invested in our state-of-the-art facilities, UNSW Science is well-equipped to help you launch your science career. You'll learn in world-class laboratories, clinics, simulators and biological imaging facilities. Our research centres are helping to advance science in renewable energy, human health and environmental sustainability.
You'll join a diverse and inclusive community of students, academics and professionals who are transforming ideas into impact. From peer mentoring and student support services to the 300+ clubs and societies across UNSW, you'll connect with open-minded students whose perspectives will expand your worldview.
You'll build up your professional identity through SciConnect - an innovative online system that helps you settle into university, track your professional development and showcase your skills to future employers. Plus, you'll have the chance to take your studies abroad through International Student Exchange.
At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 (depending on chosen area of study) plus one or more of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics.
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
Entry into the Honours program in Science is subject to academic performance and progression requirements. Students may exit the Advanced Science (Honours) program with a B Science award if they are unsuccessful in applying for entry into Honours.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
| Qualifications | Direct entry requirement |
|---|---|
|
International ATAR
|
88
|
| UNSW Foundation Studies GPA |
7.7
|
|
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
|
12
All applicants must present a minimum of two Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry Scores are calculated from the best two, three, or four A2 Level subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2 and E=1. |
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
|
33
Results based on scores required for entry into UNSW in 2019 and are only applicable if the Diploma has been completed. Students currently attempting the IB can apply directly to UNSW or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). For more details, visit www.uac.edu.au |
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
|
1240
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) based on the total of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematical test scores. Must be provided in conjunction with evidence of successful completion of senior secondary studies. |
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
Entry into the Honours program in Science is subject to academic performance and progression requirements. Students may exit the Advanced Science (Honours) program with a B Science award if they are unsuccessful in applying for entry into Honours.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Studying at UNSW gives you the optimal balance of theoretical and hands-on learning to prepare you for tomorrow's workforce. You'll develop vital transferable skills that you can apply to almost any industry. What's more, you'll gain a solid foundation in logical, analytical and critical thinking, as well as vital skills in teamwork and communication.
A double degree will double your career possibilities as you'll have valuable expertise across two (or more) fields. You'll have a wide variety of majors and specialisations to choose from in both degrees, allowing you to carve your education to your own career goals.
Explore our study areas below to discover the range of potential career paths available across the fields of science and social sciences.
Psychologist
Pilot
Environmental scientist
Data scientist
Materials scientist
Clinical coder
Biotechnologist
Teacher
Neuroscientist
Genetic counsellor
Mathematician
Medical technician
Biologist
Food scientist
Laboratory technician
Campaign manager
Advocate
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade official
International business consultant
Local government official
Non-government organisation official
Policy analyst
Political adviser
Political journalist
Project officer
Program manager
Research consultant
Research officer
Tourism and trade adviser
United Nations official