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Master's degree

Master of Social Work

MSW
03 October 2023

UC's Master of Social Work (MSW) is ideal for practitioners with specialist practice, supervisory, management, or policy analysis and development responsibilities. Learn more about studying an MSW through Te Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health at the University of Canterbury.

START

Master of Social Work

Degree Structure - Start In
First day of any month

POINTS

120

DURATION

Master of Social Work

Degree Structure - Duration
1 year full-time

Currently closed to international enrolments

This degree is currently not open to international enrolments. Contact Tauwhiro Hapori | Department of Social Work for updates.

Overview


Master of Social Work

Introduction

The Master of Social Work degree requires candidates to complete a thesis on a full or part-time basis. The MSW is particularly aimed at practitioners with specialist practice, supervisory, management, or policy analysis and development responsibilities.

The programme of study and research can be designed to meet your professional needs and interests.

The degree may be awarded with Distinction or Merit.

UC also offers the Master of Social Work (Applied) involving taught coursework.

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Master of Social Work

Entry requirements

Note: the MSW is currently not open to international enrolments.

The MSW is accessible only to those who have obtained a professional qualification in Social Work and have completed fieldwork requirements. For more details, contact Tauwhiro Hapori | Department of Social Work. Those who do not have a professional qualification in Social Work may instead consider the Master of Social Work (Applied).

To enrol in the MSW, you must have completed one of the following:

  • a Bachelor of Social Work with First Class or Second Class Honours Division I
  • any bachelor’s degree and the Graduate Diploma in Social Work
  • any bachelor's degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work with a B+ Grade Point Average or above (or equivalent)
  • completed an approved qualifying course to the standard to the prerequisite courses.

If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.

For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Social Work or use the admission requirements checker.

How to apply

You can apply online at myUC.

See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

Master of Social Work

How do I plan my degree?

The MSW degree requires you to complete SOWK695 MSW Thesis on a full or part-time basis.

It will take 1 year full-time, or up to 3 years part-time. You can begin your thesis at the beginning of any month.

For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Social Work.

Domestic students

2024 tuition fee estimate: $7,627 (120 points)
2025 tuition fee estimate: $8,085 (120 points)

International students

2024 Special Programme Fee: $30,900 (120 points)
2025 Special Programme Fee: $32,400 (120 points)

Master of Social Work

Career opportunities

Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement, and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.

Useful information:

Brochures

Postgraduate Prospectus 2024

Whakatairanga Tāura

Download (application/pdf, 6 MB)
Download

International Prospectus 2024/2025

Download (application/pdf, 6 MB)
Download
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