Arts and social sciences

With a broad and rich understanding of ancient times, we can better understand who we are today and where we are going in the future.

Macquarie’s world-leading ancient history courses let you immerse yourself in Mediterranean and Near Eastern culture and language, both on campus and at archaeological dig sites overseas.

Potential careers

• Archivist
• Collections officer
• Conservation consultant
• Cultural heritage specialist
• Gallery or museum curator
• Government adviser
• Historian
• Museum education officer
• Policy officer
• Researcher

Anthropology is the comparative study of societies and human diversity.

Our applied anthropology focus at Macquarie will ensure you have the practical skills – along with the theoretical knowledge – you need to understand the issues concerning diverse peoples of this planet.

Potential careers

• Business and government consultant
• Community outreach coordinator
• Community planner
• Cultural adviser
• Diversity consultant
• Human resources manager
• Multicultural liaison officer
• NGO evaluator or administrator
• Policy developer
• Public health official

Archaeology reconstructs cultures from the things that we – and our predecessors – have used and then left behind, from dwellings to jewellery and tombs.

Study archaeology at Macquarie and you can learn with our amazing facilities on-campus as well as dig sites overseas, with the opportunity to integrate both arts and science knowledge.

Potential careers

• Archaeological surveyor
• Curator
• Education officer
• Field director
• Field technician
• Heritage consultant
• Historian
• Librarian
• Researcher
• Tourism officer

From art to social media, environmental activism to social taboos, our cultural practices reveal how we make meaning, how we organise our social and political relationships and how we identify ourselves.

At Macquarie you’ll explore political, ethical and social interactions and their consequences for cultural practice and communications. Designed for those who aspire to lead social change, you'll learn creative ways to tackle the global challenges facing cultures and communities.

Potential careers

• Advocacy officer
• Arts administrator
• Cultural affairs consultant
• Development officer
• Diplomat
• Diversity officer
• International businessperson
• Media relations specialist
• Policy analyst
• Researcher

Studying English develops many essential skills – including communication, evaluation, flexibility, and independence of judgement.

At Macquarie you’ll build advanced skills in reading, analysis, interpretation and communication as you deal with texts and their functions within particular cultures.

Potential careers

• Advertising and marketing executive
• Communications coordinator
• Copywriter
• Editor and publisher
• Government and public service adviser
• Literary agent
• Media adviser
• Public relations specialist
• Social media coordinator

Environment and society examines the complex relationships between people and their environments from geographical and social perspectives, with a focus on social justice, equity and sustainability.

You’ll address the most important global and urban environmental issues of our time, such as corporate responsibility, resource security and climate change, and seek to improve quality of life for future generations.

Potential careers

• Educator
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental officer
• Legal officer
• National parks ranger
• Policy adviser
• Researcher
• Sustainability officer

Geographers strive to understand how the Earth works, and how humans interact with it and each other at a range of geographical scales.

At Macquarie you’ll prepare for a range of careers in development, planning, government, and science by combining topics like population studies with integrated practical skills like research methodology.

Potential careers

• Ecologically sustainable development officer
• Educator
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental officer
• Forecaster/meteorologist
• Insurance analyst
• Resource planner
• River care officer
• Soil surveyor
• Water policy adviser

Learn to think critically about the world we live in, and develop a deeper understanding of the issues impacting Indigenous communities.

Indigenous studies at Macquarie is a diverse, interdisciplinary area of study, where you’ll explore the everyday social, cultural and political world of Indigenous peoples locally and globally.

Potential careers

• Aboriginal access worker
• Case worker
• Community liaison officer
• Health worker
• Indigenous advocate
• Indigenous rights officer
• Journalist
• Project officer
• Public policy officer
• Youth adviser

The study of international relations focuses on the global system – how it originated and how it functions today.

At Macquarie you’ll deepen your understanding of how the world works and how you fit into it by examining the political, economic, cultural, legal and institutional forces influencing strategy and policy.

Potential careers

• Aid and development adviser
• Cross-cultural worker
• Diplomat
• Human rights officer
• Immigration consultant
• International trade specialist
• Policy analyst
• World Bank consultant
• World food program officer

Studying modern history gives you a rich perspective on the evolution of today’s complex and rapidly evolving world.

At Macquarie you’ll gain crucial transferable skills in research, critical analysis and synthesis, reasoning, argument, inquiry, ethical problem-solving and effective communication.

Potential careers

• Business administrator
• Diplomat
• Gallery and museum curator
• Media officer
• Ministerial liaison officer
• Political affairs officer
• Public sector adviser
• Researcher
• Union official
• Writer

What is the mind? Do we have free will? What is race and does it matter? Philosophy explores fundamental questions about human life.

At Macquarie you’ll develop critical thinking and reasoning skills in one of the top philosophy departments in Australasia. Philosophical knowledge and skills prepare you for a wide range of careers.

Potential careers

• Business administrator
• Communications assistant
• Entrepreneur
• Journalist
• Lobbyist
• Mediator
• Policy consultant
• Recruiter
• Researcher
• Social media coordinator

Politics is concerned with how societies are structured, the distribution of power, and collective decision making.

At Macquarie you’ll explore the processes of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation; current political ideas; debates covering world issues; and relations between states and institutions.

Potential careers

• Advocate and lobbyist
• Campaign officer/manager
• Diplomat
• Foreign affairs adviser
• Journalist
• Politician
• Press secretary
• Public policy adviser
• Researcher
• Trade union representative

We live in an increasingly dynamic world with patterned gender differences and divisions between rich and poor, citizens and refugees, East and West.

These divisions structure the web of our social relationships. You'll explore them, and learn skills in research methods and analysis to enable social change through effective policy and planning.

Potential careers

• Community education officer
• Equal opportunity officer
• Human resources specialist
• International aid worker
• Journalist
• Market/social researcher
• Media producer
• Policy analyst
• Social planner
• Social services coordinator

Urban and regional planning is a profession that shapes the places where people live, work and play. Planners aim to improve the social, spatial and environmental fabric of cities by creating vibrant, healthy and equitable communities, and by facilitating sustainable transport, infrastructure and growth.

You'll be taught by leading planning professionals and experts in urban studies, planning theory and practice, environmental management, social justice, and sustainability in urban settings.

Potential careers

• Development assessor
• Environmental planner
• Heritage planner
• Housing officer
• Local government planner
• Place-maker/place planner
• Policy analyst
• Social/community planner
• Social or environmental consultant
• Strategic planner
• Sustainability consultant
• Urbanist
• Urban/town planner