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Humanities and Social Sciences at CDU
Study with CDU

Humanities and Social Sciences

We need your critical thinking to help build a better world.

Join us to study a humanities and social sciences course online or on campus.

You make CDU.

Forge a better future

Study a humanities and social science course with subjects in philosophy, sociology and social science, culture, politics, public policy, history, Indigenous perspectives, war and terror, and more.

Choose CDU for humanities and social science courses

  • 100% flexible study that suits you

    Choose to study online or on campus, part-time or full-time

  • #4 in Australia for humanities and social services employment outcomes

    According to the Good Universities Guide 2024

  • Focus on unique Indigenous and Asia Pacific perspectives

    Learn from cultural experts and benefit from strong links to Northern Australia and South East Asia

Top humanities and social science courses

  • Students in a lecture theatre or classroom taking a selfie

    Bachelor of Arts (Global Humanities in a Digital Age)

    Examine the impact of today's digital environment on politics, public policy and government decision making in Australia and South-East Asia.

    See course structure
  • CDU student Nancy Soliman in the library choosing a book.

    Diploma of Arts (Society and Culture)

    Ideal for anyone who wants a taste of studying society and culture, but may not be ready to commit to a full degree.

    See course structure
  • Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management

    Bachelor of Humanitarian Aid and Development

    Develop your knowledge in culture studies, sociology, ethics, Indigenous knowledge, community development, international humanitarian assistance and development, project management, and language studies.

    See course structure
Need some help finding the right course or career path?
Academy arts NAIDOC 2021

The Pedagogy of Indigenous Knowledge Sharing through Creative and Cultural Practices

Understand Indigenous artmaking as knowledge sharing to reflect on your professional practice and engage learners in innovative ways.

Find more

Why study a humanities and social science degree?

Students studying in library

From Wikipedia founder Larry Sanger's philosophy degree to US president Joe Biden’s history and political science degree, the list of world leaders, influential entrepreneurs and changemakers with degrees in the humanities is long. Closer to home, two thirds of businesses listed on the ASX200 have CEOs with humanities degrees according to the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

Why? A degree in the humanities and social sciences at CDU offers a timeless and versatile skillset that will see you through your life and career, regardless of the role or field. Whether you choose to study history, politics, languages, literature or philosophy, you'll be gaining so much more. You will develop sought-after skills in critical and strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, communicating with influence, research, analysis, and more.

Beyond these valuable workplace skills, the humanities create empathetic, culturally competent global citizens. Develop an understanding of others through their cultures, traditions, languages and history while understanding your own place in the world.

Study humanities and social sciences online

Arts student studying from a cafe

Your degree in the humanities and social sciences can be studied as it suits you. Our humanities courses are available online, on campus, part-time or full-time.

We’ve been offering online degrees for decades, and our lecturers are committed to offering the same support to online students as their on-campus classmates. 

Our online learning platform, Learnline, is where you can find your recorded lectures, tutorials, learning materials and communication tools so you can engage with your teachers and peers. 

Degrees in the humanities and social sciences at CDU are flexible so you can fit your learning around your lifestyle. 

Learn more about CDU’s online study experience.

Your career in the humanities and social sciences

Students walking together in business/court attire

A recent Oxford University study shows university graduates with humanities degrees are better able to prepare for an unpredictable job market.

As our world becomes increasingly automated and technological developments are rapidly introduced, graduates need skills that can be applied to all sorts of work environments, like critical thinking, relationship building, effective communication, creative problem-solving and collaboration. 

Strong analytical skills are sought after in journalism and finance, history and politics can provide helpful context for law, research and strategic skills are a must for public policy, creative problem-solving is highly valued in tech and business, and effective communication is just as valuable for a copywriter as it is for a patient-facing health professional. Whatever workforce your find yourself in, a humanities degree at CDU will give you skills to last a lifetime.

Inside CDU's humanities and social science courses and research

  • CDU Dr Izabela Pereira Watts at work with small children in a war zone

    Are peace and democracy worth dying for?

    We have all seen the images of war on our television screens. What happens when, inevitably, the guns fall silent and the blades are returned to their sheaths? When the red mist recedes, and some form of non-violent rationality raises its weary head above the bloodied parapets.

    Read more
  • Hannah Taino smiling with colleagues

    Hannah is researching military vets who attend uni

    At first, Australian Air Force veteran Hannah Taino-Spick didn’t think she was eligible to do a research degree. Thanks to a supportive professor at Charles Darwin University, however, Hannah is now pursuing a PhD via a Higher Degree by Research (HDR). 

    Read more
  • indigenous-flag

    Why an Arts degree is worth studying

    Is an arts degree worth it? It’s a question you might be asking yourself as the Australian Government proposes to re-direct funding from Arts degrees to degrees in health, education, science and technology. It absolutely is, says Pro Vice-Chancellor Ruth Wallace. 

    Read more
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