Course Overview

The four-year degree is recognised by the New Zealand Social Workers' Registration Board, and gives you the competency, professional skills and training you need to become a registered social worker.

You learn how to work towards positive health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals and families as you develop your knowledge of social policy, social issues and social justice.

Our course is bicultural in its approach and respects the ‘Ako’ methodology of teaching and learning from each other. Through research projects, critical analysis of issues, case study discussion and collaborative work, you deepen your understanding of te reo Māori, ethical and cultural safety, and mātauranga Māori approaches to wellbeing.

Practical work placements in years 3 and 4 give you a chance to apply your knowledge to real social work situations and prepare you for professional social work practice.

Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:

• Bachelor of Social Work

General Eligibility

To gain entry to the Bachelor of Social Work you must be:

• 17 years of age or over

• a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have the requisite visa for study purposes

• able to demonstrate adequate literacy and/or numeracy skills to enable you to meet all academic and health and safety requirements of the course.

Academic Entry Criteria

If you are a domestic applicants under 20 years old you must have:

• University Entrance as per New Zealand Qualification Authority specifications, OR

• evidence of recent study at Level 4 or higher on the NZQF.

If you are a domestic applicant 20 years old and over you must have demonstrated academic ability (at NZQA Level 4 or equivalent) to undertake the Bachelor of Social Work and have the ability to succeed through personal attributes, work and life experience.

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 or completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 4 with the Academic Endorsement or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined by NZQA.