The Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) will challenge your thinking about the world and the people who live in it. The degree focuses on contemporary social issues, the ways in which humans interact with these issues and how such actions can be monitored and modified. Bachelor of Social Sciences with the Faculty of Social Sciences Composed largely as a research-orientated degree, the BSocSc covers contemporary and relevant areas of study such as employment relations, social policy and environmental planning. You'll develop invaluable research capabilities and skills in information gathering, analysis, reporting and informed decision making under the expert guidance of our world-recognised researchers. We offer a range of exciting subjects and specialisations to choose from. Two of our major subjects – Geography and Sociology – are ranked among the top 250 in the world (QS Rankings). Environmental Planning Environmental Planning at Waikato develops your knowledge of how human behaviour affects the environment. We'll inspire you to understand how social, economic and cultural aspects, and the physical environment contribute to problems and provide solutions. During your Environmental Planning studies, we'll involve you in a variety of other academic pursuits that enable you to understand the interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues. You'll take papers in the social and natural sciences and make direct connections between human behaviour, politics and the natural environment. Learning isn't all in the classroom, either. We take frequent field trips to explore first-hand the impact humans have on the local environment. You'll do practical group research projects such as investigate urban regeneration of the Central Business District and study policy options to manage human impact on coastal dune systems. If you study Environmental Planning under the Bachelor of Environmental Planning (BEP) then you will gain an internationally recognised qualification that is professionally accredited by the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI). This means our students gain employment in their area of interest and after graduation start jobs as planners, consultants, environmental protection officers, or policy analysts, and work for companies like Fonterra and Genesis Energy. It's a vocational programme, which means you'll have the professional qualification, skills and expertise that will enable you to make a positive impact on the places you love and the places you live. Career opportunities Compliance Officer Environmental Planner Policy Analyst Private Consultant Project Manager Researcher