Course details

Summary

This highly-regarded interdisciplinary degree will engage you in both theory and practice, equipping you for a wide range of people-related work.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at UC is New Zealand's most established Social Work programme and its graduates are in high demand. The programme is ideal for those with a commitment to working with others in overcoming personal and institutional barriers to well-being and promoting the full potential of people.

Recommended preparation

Entry to the first year of the BSW is open to all students with entry to the University. While no particular school subjects are required, a background in subjects promoting communication skills such as English, history, geography or te reo Maori is useful. Volunteer work in the community is also good preparation.

Statistics is useful for the further study of Social Work.

Qualification structure and duration

The BSW requires a total of 480 points:

390 points comprising compulsory Social Work and Human Services courses

one course (15 points) from 100-level Maori and Indigenous Studies or Te Reo Maori courses

75 points from one of the four elective streams.

BSW elective streams

Social Work students choose an elective stream that suits their academic interests and career objectives. In addition to Social Work, this allows you to specialise in another subject area, selected from:

• Human Services
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Maori and Indigenous Studies / Te Reo Maori.

Further study

Postgraduate qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Social Work
• Master of Social Work (by thesis)
• Master of Social Work (Applied)
• Doctor of Philosophy

Career opportunities

Students develop a strong academic and practice foundation in the social sciences and social work at UC, which prepares them to be social workers, policy analysts and researchers in both statutory and non-government sectors.

Graduates are highly employable overseas, particularly in the UK and Australia.

Social Work graduates are employed in a wide variety of fields including family welfare, child protection, justice, education, community development, and all areas of health and well-being.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.