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Faculties and schools_
School of Social and Political Sciences
Confronting the enduring and emerging challenges of our time
Concentrating on five research themes: health, markets, governance, inequality and environment, our work interprets and makes sense of societies, nation states and people.
The School of Social and Political Sciences is a leading centre of excellence, uniting disciplines such as Criminology, Sociology, Political Economy, Government and International Relations and Anthropology. Our diverse range of single, undergraduate, joint and post graduate programmes are ranked highly both nationally and internationally. We excel in research with global relevance, addressing real-world challenges and employing innovative teaching methods in the social sciences.
Focusing on five core research themes: health, markets, governance, inequality and environment, we analyse societies, geo-political conflicts, social injustice, nation-states, and individual experiences.
Through extensive multidisciplinary networks and research centres, our academics maintain strong international connections, enriching public policy debates.
Notable initiatives like the Ted Wheelwright Lecture draw over 600 participants, while Social Sciences Week hosts uniting researchers, activists and policymakers in the pursuit of equity and accountable governance.
These efforts showcase our commitment to advancing knowledge in the field, making the complex issues of our time more accessible and engaging.
Our disciplines
Our study offerings
Undergraduate courses
Government and International Relations
Majors and minors
These are available to all students studying the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Visual Arts, as well as all combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees, and as a second major for students from other faculties.
Anthropology
Government and International Relations
Political Economy
Sociology and Criminology
- Sociology major
- Sociology minor
- Criminology major
- Criminology minor
- Socio-Legal Studies major
- Socio-Legal Studies minor
- Social Policy minor
Honours
Anthropology
- Master of Social Justice (Development Studies)
- Graduate Diploma in Social Justice (Development Studies)
- Graduate Certificate in Social Justice
Government and International Relations
- Master of International Security
- Graduate Certificate in International Security
- Graduate Diploma in International Security
- Master of International Relations
- Graduate Certificate in International Relations
- Graduate Diploma in International Relations
- Master of Public Policy
- Graduate Certificate in Public Policy
- Graduate Diploma in Public Policy
Political Economy
- Master of Political Economy
- Graduate Certificate in Political Economy
- Graduate Diploma in Political Economy
Sociology and Criminology
- Master of Social Justice (Human Rights)
- Graduate Diploma in Social Justice (Human Rights)
- Graduate Certificate in Social Justice
- Master of Social Justice (Peace and Conflict Studies)
- Graduate Diploma in Social Justice (Peace and Conflict Studies)
- Graduate Certificate in Social Justice
- Master of Social Justice (Development Studies)
- Graduate Diploma in Social Justice (Development Studies)
- Graduate Certificate in Social Justice
We offer three research degrees across all disciplines. You will need to have a substantial background in your preferred discipline to be eligible to enrol.
Placements
Our placement program offers students the opportunity to consolidate their academic studies and become job-ready in a rapidly evolving market through work-integrated learning and skills-development. Students can engage in specialised placement projects with some of the most highly sought after government and private sector organisations, local and global NGOs, think tanks and research companies across Australia and overseas. Learn more about our internships and placements.
Study Social Justice at Sydney - Uncle Jimmy's walking tour of the University of Sydney
Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
Scholarships
A $12,500 postgraduate scholarship to support the research of the role of women in societies from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age. Learn more
A $45,000 per annum postgraduate scholarship to support research students to undertake research in the field of anthropology. Learn more
A $10,000 postgraduate coursework scholarship to support full time students commencing the Master of Social Justice at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Learn more
An honours and postgraduate research scholarship funding up to $20,000 to assist students who are undertaking a research project in anthropology to conduct fieldwork. Learn more
Research expertise
Our people
School Operations
- Kevin Doan, School Manager: kevin.doan@sydney.edu.au
- Tom Westley, Executive Officer: tom.westley@sydney.edu.au
- Emma Macintosh, Executive Assistant: ssps.ea@sydney.edu.au
- Max Goring, Administration Assistant: ssps.admin@sydney.edu.au
Teaching and Curriculum: ssps.tcc@sydney.edu.au
- Cait McCarthy, Teaching and Curriculum Coordinator
- Eva Karolyova, School Administration Officer - Teaching and Curriculum
- Terri Drage, School Administration Assistant - Teaching and Curriculum
Student Placements: ssps.studentplacements@sydney.edu.au
- Kashmira Aspar, Student Placement Officer
Communications and Events: ssps.communications@sydney.edu.au, ssps.events@sydney.edu.au
- Janet Bunn, Communications and Events Officer
- Catherine Hines, School Administration Assistant - Communications and Events
Research Support: ssps.researchsupport@sydney.edu.au
- Imogen Kavanagh, Research Support Officer