Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Behavioural Studies

Course highlights:

1. Psychological Fundamentals: How do our minds function? Learn about intelligence, emotions, personalities, and other aspects of human behaviour from a psychological perspective.
2. Core Human Characteristics: Explore what drives people’s choices, from their strengths and values to the decisions they make every day.
3. Applying Intervention Strategies: Learn how social and positive psychology can be used to create meaningful interventions which could be applied in a range of professional settings such as support work.
4. Making Sense of Society: Develop a new way of seeing the world around you. Learn key sociological concepts which give insight into how social structures shape people in a contemporary world.

What is the Bachelor of Social Science – Behavioural Studies?

The Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Behavioural Studies with Swinburne Online is an undergraduate degree that gives you a practical understanding of why people think, act, and respond the way they do.

Taught by experts with experience in therapy, counselling, or psychology, you’ll learn to interpret human behaviour using insights from behavioural science and sociology.

This course is designed for people who want to support others and make a positive impact through careers in research, youth work, mental health support, and other people-focused fields.

How you’ll study

• The Bachelor of Social Science – Behavioural Studies runs across three Teaching Periods per year.
• Expected study load is between 8-10 hours per week per unit.
• Set your own study pace by taking one or more units per Teaching Period.
• Learning is delivered through interactive materials, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams, and written content.
• 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards, and learning content.

Recommended study pattern

To be awarded the Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Behavioural Studies you must complete 23 units in total made up of:

Course Units

Learning and Communicating Online (COM10003)

Sociological Foundations (SOC10004)

Introduction to Research Methods (PSY10005)

Core Unit Options

You must complete one (1) of the following units:

Australian Politics (POL10001)

Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences (INS10001)

Behavioural Studies Major Units

Brain and Behaviour (PSY10007)

Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY10008)

Crime, Deviance, and Conformity (CRI20003)

Theories of Counselling (PSY20001)

Psychology of Infancy and Early Childhood (PSY20008)

Applied Social Psychology (PSY30014)

Psychology of Well-being (Double unit) (PSY30011)

Electives

Complete twelve (12) electives to round out your degree. Tailor your course to suit your strengths, interests, and career goals by choosing elective units.

Here’s what our Swinburne Online academic staff recommend for this course: 

Fundamentals of Criminology (CRI10002)

Youth Justice and Crime (CRI30010)

Policing: Systems and Practice (CRI20001)

Introduction to Forensic Psychology (FOR10001)

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Social Science, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

• Two (2) Core units of study and two (2) Core units of study based on selected major discipline area (50cps).
• Eight (8) units of study from a Social Science discipline major in one of the following areas: Behavioural Studies, Criminology, Security and International Relations, or Security and Counter Terrorism (100 credit points).
• Twelve (12) units of study (150 credit points) comprising a co-major, advanced minor, minor and/or electives.

Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Students studying Security and International Relations Major cannot also study Security and Counter Terrorism Major due to the similarity of units.

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $52,197

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Study on your own terms with this forward-thinking university.

It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

Learn more about Swinburne University of Technology

Explore Swinburne University of Technology courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

15

Applicants are required to meet one of the following minimum entry requirements:

• A completed or partially completed tertiary qualification (e.g. relevant Certificate IVs, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, incomplete or complete Bachelor’s degree); or
• 4+ years of relevant work experience; or
• Recent Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent completion, with the required English study score.

International students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency before enrolling into a Swinburne Online degree by undertaking one of the following English language tests; The International English Language Test Score (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have completed recent prior studies, you may be eligible to request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your priors studies related to your chosen subjects.

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, where every applicant is assessed individually.