What are the social sciences about?
The social sciences are about how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens. You will learn about the past, present, and future and about places within and beyond New Zealand.
Why study the social sciences?
Through the social sciences, you will develop the knowledge and skills to better understand, participate in, and contribute to the local, national, and global communities where you live; you will think critically about social, historical and geographical issues and the possible effects these have on the future.
Where can the Social Sciences take you? Examples from a few past students
Endorsement from a student who studied both Geography and History at school and, then at university
"Both history and geography as subjects are very useful in understanding how and why the world is shaped the way it is. I'd also add that the skills you learn at high school level history and geography are built upon at a tertiary level. Speaking for geography with the field being so diverse at a tertiary level I've learnt so much about areas such as emergency management, urban geography, developmental geographies and policy. From this I've learnt and have applied a range of practical skills such as research and data analysis, report writing and critical thinking, however I've also developed skills in problem solving and how to facilitate workshops and conduct interviews which were very applicable when I was undertaking my internship at the Department of Corrections with their emergency management team over the summer. I'm just starting my new job as a Graduate Policy Advisor at Land Information NZ".
The social sciences are about how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens. You will learn about the past, present, and future and about places within and beyond New Zealand.
Why study the social sciences?
Through the social sciences, you will develop the knowledge and skills to better understand, participate in, and contribute to the local, national, and global communities where you live; you will think critically about social, historical and geographical issues and the possible effects these have on the future.
Where can the Social Sciences take you? Examples from a few past students
- Nileema, Graduate Policy Advisor at Land Information NZ
- Max, PSSP at Auckland District Health Board
- Ramona, Completed BA HR/ER & Business now completing her Masters
- Jebel, Lawyer admitted to the Bar 2019
- Adrienne, Teacher
- Elizabeth, Pasifika Early Childhood
- Christine, Logistics Admin
- Mata, Mentoring program coordinator
- Sharma, TVNZ
Endorsement from a student who studied both Geography and History at school and, then at university
"Both history and geography as subjects are very useful in understanding how and why the world is shaped the way it is. I'd also add that the skills you learn at high school level history and geography are built upon at a tertiary level. Speaking for geography with the field being so diverse at a tertiary level I've learnt so much about areas such as emergency management, urban geography, developmental geographies and policy. From this I've learnt and have applied a range of practical skills such as research and data analysis, report writing and critical thinking, however I've also developed skills in problem solving and how to facilitate workshops and conduct interviews which were very applicable when I was undertaking my internship at the Department of Corrections with their emergency management team over the summer. I'm just starting my new job as a Graduate Policy Advisor at Land Information NZ".