Four students sitting at a table smiling at someone sitting on a laptop out of shot.
MJRU-ANTSO

Anthropology and Sociology

Undergraduate major

Understand what it means to be human and how societies function.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Minimum ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Anthropology and Sociology Major (BA)
  • Credit

    Credit

    200
Course outline

Select your preferred degree

This course belongs to multiple degrees. Select the single degree or double degree below to see the application deadlines.

Course outline

Overview

Overview

In our world of increasing globalisation and cultural shifts, many employers need the expertise of those with a deeper understanding of human behaviours.

Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human through the lens of cultural diversity. Sociology examines how human actions are shaped by social groups and wider economic, political and social pressures. Both disciplines explore the comparative study of human societies in all their historical and contemporary visions.

This major draws on the strengths of the two interlinked fields. You will focus on local and global contexts to explore how cultural practices, institutions, social groups and everyday lives are being transformed within the context of globalised communication, economic, political and environmental change.

You’ll study contemporary issues related to identity, family life, gender relations, language use, sustainability and development, social justice and human rights. You will also develop the conceptual skills to respond to these local and global changes, and learn how to do research in the social sciences.

This major is offered as part of the Bachelor of Arts. You can enhance your studies with a second major or choose from a range of elective units that support your career goals.

You can study this major as part of a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce double degree.

What jobs can the Anthropology and Sociology course lead to?

Careers

  • Anthropologist
  • Sociologist
  • Heritage specialist.

Industries

  • Allied health
  • Consultancy
  • Education
  • Heritage
  • IT
  • Journalism
  • Government
  • Media and creative arts
  • Public relations
  • Urban planning.

What you'll learn

  • demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the social sciences
  • demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively and reflectively within a social science discipline and across disciplinary boundaries
  • demonstrate the ability to locate relevant information from a range of sources and to make decisions about the significance of this information in the development of a disciplined analysis of social life
  • demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through a variety of written, oral and other formats to diverse audiences in ways appropriate in the two disciplines
  • demonstrate the ability to use a variety of technologies and the ability to decide on their applications appropriately
  • show sustained intellectual curiosity by taking responsibility for one's own learning and intellectual development through the recognition of a range of learning strategies
  • demonstrate the capacity to understand social life in a range of local and global contexts
  • embrace the importance of cultural diversity and of human rights in the making of knowledge in the social sciences
  • understand the importance of appropriate theories and methods for undertaking social research that is both ethical and principled

Why study Anthropology and Sociology at Curtin?

Five star

Curtin ranks in the top 1% of universities in the world.

Academic World Ranking of Universities, 2023

Broad career options

You can combine studies in this course with other areas such as journalism, international relations, public relations, history, Asian languages, marketing, public health and health promotion.

Get the Curtin edge

Our staff are research-active and have made positive contributions in the fields of migration, cultural and linguistic diversity, Korean studies, family studies and sustainability.

Sharleah Ramirez

I thought I should do something I’m passionate about ... something that doesn’t restrict me. Curtin gave me the chance to develop my skills analytically, socially and verbally. The biggest thing is the support – I love that people are willing to assist you in any sort of way.

Sharleah Ramirez

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either verbal or quantitative

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’

‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either verbal or quantitative

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    • AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required; or
    • AQF Diploma; or
    • AQF Advanced Diploma.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either verbal or quantitative

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to Curtin course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to other higher education course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Applicants are required to choose one of the Bachelor of Arts majors when applying. If you with to study a double major, you elect the second major once you have been accepted into the course.

 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Please view the Bachelor of Arts degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Apply now
  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: MJRU-ANTSO
  • Last updated on: 29 December 2024

Got a question? We’re here to help.

Call 1300 222 888 Send us an email Ask us a question Book an appointment

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Specialisations

Bachelor of Commerce Specialisations

Bachelor of Innovation Specialisations

Learn more about Commerce

Apply for Anthropology and Sociology Major (BA)