In order to study Social Work at advanced levels, our students go through an additional application process as well as enrolling via MyUC. Choose the level that you are enrolling at below in order to find out how to apply for our limited entry programmes. (Please note: BSW(Hons) 1st year entry is open to all students eligible to enrol at UC).
Bachelor of Social Work with Honours | BSW(Hons)
The Bachelor of Social Work with Honours 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.
This four-year qualification is intended for those without a prior degree. If you already have a degree you might want to consider the two-year Master of Social Work (Applied) instead.
Progression beyond Year 1 of the BSW (Hons) is dependent on students meeting the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) entry criteria which includes an assessment of fitness for registration. This means that the person must be a ‘fit and proper person to practise as a social worker’ as stated in S.6(b) of the Social Workers Registration Act, 2003). Please read the SWRB Fit and Proper Policy.
For students who intend to continue into their 2nd year of the BSW (Hons) Programme.
Complete your application using myUC, by selecting your Qualification (BSW Hons 2-4).
Applications for admission to 200-level and 300-level SOWK courses shall be made in the previous year by 30 September.
You will be required to:
- Complete this form: BSW Limited Entry Application form, and upload to myUC
- Provide 1 referee
- Complete all other required information on myUC
- A student for whom English or Māori and New Zealand Sign is not their first language, must provide evidence of their English language ability by providing an IELTS certificate with no individual score below 6.5 OR TOEFL equivalent OR at least 2 years of successful study in a New Zealand secondary school, with at least ten level 2 NCEA credits in Literacy or equivalent.
Please read the SWRB Fit and Proper Policy.
Next steps
- Once you have made your application, it will be reviewed by the selection panel
- If your application is successful you will be sent a conditional offer, which is based on your results in the prerequisite courses, meeting the SWRB fit and proper person requirements and reference (your referee's report).
- You will be contacted when your enrolment agreement is available
- Read more about about the enrolment process
Applications for admission to 200-level and 300-level SOWK courses shall be made in the previous year by 30 September.
For students who intend to continue into their 3rd year of the BSW (Hons) Programme, entry is not automatic and you need to apply as follows:
- Complete this form: BSW Limited Entry Application form, and upload to myUC
- Provide 2 referees
- Complete a Personal Statement and upload to myUC
- Upload your CV to myUC, including relevant employment and voluntary work
- Complete a New Zealand Police Vetting Service Request and Consent form and upload to myUC (exception: if you completed a Police vetting for entry to 200 level in 2024 for the Social Work programme at University of Canterbury)
- We require 2 forms of ID as part of the Police Vetting, if in person verification is not possible we will arrange an online verification
- Complete all other required information on myUC
- Attend an interview: Interviews will take place in person or online and are 30 minutes long. You will receive a link to make a booking and including full details of what to expect on the day.
Next steps
- If your application is successful you will be sent a conditional offer, which is based on your results in the prerequistite courses, meeting the SWRB fit and proper person requirements, police vetting results, and references (your referee’s reports).
- You will be contacted when your enrolment agreement is available
- Read more about the enrolment process
Note: It is a requirement of the Social Work Registration Board that all applicants undertake a Police vetting process. This is in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014.
Master of Social Work (Applied) | MSW (Applied)
The Master of Social Work (Applied) is an innovative programme that provides the opportunity to people with a relevant undergraduate degree to gain an internationally recognised first professional qualification in social work. The degree can be full-time for two years or a combination of part-time and full-time study. Part One of the degree can be completed part-time over two years. Part Two of the degree must be completed full-time.
Entry into the MSW (App) is dependent on students meeting the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) entry criteria which includes an assessment of fitness for registration. This means that the person must be a ‘fit and proper person to practise as a social worker’ as stated in S.6(b) of the Social Workers Registration Act, 2003). Please read the SWRB Fit and Proper Policy prior to applying to this programme.
1. Apply to enrol at the University of Canterbury via myUC.
- Upload all required UC enrolment documents
- Provide names and email address of two referees
- Referees will receive an email requesting they complete an online referee report, so an accurate email is essential.
- Referees must not be family members, friends, or flatmates
2. Apply to the Master of Social Work (Applied) programme
Upload the following to the Documents Library in myUC.
- MSW Application form - MSW (Applied) Limited Entry Application form
- A CV, résumé, or statement of previous experience, including volunteer roles
- Evidence of English Language ability (where applicable)
Note: A student for whom English, Māori or New Zealand Sign is not their first language, must provide evidence of English language ability as follows:- IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with no individual score below 6.5. Preference will be given to students with a score of 7;
- An alternative English language assessment, approved by the Amo Matua, Te Kaupeka Oranga | Executive Dean of Health or delegate; OR
- At least 2 years of successful study in a New Zealand secondary school, with at least ten level 2 NCEA credits in Literacy (five reading and five writing) or equivalent.
3. Interview
- Once you have completed all application and documentation requirements, your application will be reviewed by the selection panel. Short-listed applicants will be notified and invited to attend an interview.
Note: Interviews will not be conducted prior to August each year
4. Proof of identity
- You are required to present two Accepted forms of identity evidence at your interview. One of these must be a photo ID (such as your passport).
- If identity evidence is not provided at the time of interview, applicants will be required to upload two certified forms of identification to myUC.
More information regarding certified documents can be found here
Note: the identity requirements for the student safety check differ to the identification requirement for University Admission to complete your enrolment. More information about enrolment identification can be found here.
5. Police Vetting
It is a requirement of the Social Work Registration Board that all applicants undertake a NZ Police background (Police vetting) check and identity verification. This is in accordance with the Children’s Act 2014.
- All applicants will be sent a New Zealand Police Vetting Service Request and Consent Form. Following applicants consent UC will request this report on the applicants behalf from the New Zealand Police.
- Overseas Police Checks (as applicable):
- If you have lived overseas for 12 months or more, over the age of 16 during the previous 10 years then applicants must upload Police checks from all relevant countries to myUC Document Library. This requirement applies to domestic and international applicants.
Note: Police checks should be no older than 12 months at commencement of study
- If you have lived overseas for 12 months or more, over the age of 16 during the previous 10 years then applicants must upload Police checks from all relevant countries to myUC Document Library. This requirement applies to domestic and international applicants.
Next steps
- If your application is successful you will be sent an offer of place in the degree. Conditional offers may include following:
- Evidence of degree completion or qualifying programme of study meeting the required GPA,
- Evidence of English Language ability (as applicable)
- Police Vetting Reports - NZ and International (as applicable)
- Referee Reports
- Once all conditions have been met, you may receive an unconditional enrolment agreement.
- Read more about the enrolment process here
It is important to submit all documentation promptly, as your application will be held up if we have not received all required materials.
