Bachelor of Social Work with Honours
BSW(Hons)
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Social Work
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Social Work
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
The Bachelor of Social Work with Honours (BSW(Hons)) at UC is Aotearoa New Zealand’s most established Social Work programme. This highly regarded interdisciplinary degree will engage you in both theory and practice, preparing you for a wide range of people-related work.
The BSW(Hons) is ideal for those with a commitment to working with others in overcoming personal and institutional barriers to wellbeing, and promoting the full potential of people.
- Follow your interests in topics such as mental health, child welfare, criminal justice, ageing, violence and abuse, and gender and sexuality.
- In fourth year, 75% of your study is made up of fieldwork placements in social service agencies.
- Small class sizes allow you to work closely with staff and other students.
- This degree sets you up to work in the social work field in Aotearoa or overseas, particularly in the UK and Australia where there is a Mutual Recognition Agreement between the NZSWRB and the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Vaccines required
The government has announced new vaccination requirements for the health and education sectors. This qualification requires students to undertake placements in the community, including in schools/kura, community and social services, and/or health/medical facilities.
For this qualification, you will be required to be vaccinated in line with the NZ Government regulations, and supply evidence of your vaccination status.
Recommended preparation
Entry to the first year of the BSW(Hons) is open to everyone with entry to the University.
While no particular secondary school subjects are required, a background in subjects promoting communication skills such as English, history, geography, or te reo Māori is useful. Volunteer work in the community is also good preparation.
Bachelor of Social Work with Honours – example degree structure
-
Compulsory courses
-
Elective courses
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours.
The BSW(Hons) requires a total of 480 points:
- 405 points of compulsory Social Work courses
- 75 points of elective courses.
It is highly recommended that you begin your BSW(Hons) degree in February. Those wanting to begin in July will need to contact the BSW(Hons) Coordinator to organise their programme schedule.
The degree takes 4 years full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 8 years.
Limited entry into second year and beyond
Entry to Social Work courses at 200-level and above is competitive. To apply for entry into the second year of the BSW(Hons), you will need to meet criteria identified through an application process and satisfactory Police vetting. Students with English as a second language will also need to provide evidence of their English language ability.
For entry into the third year of the BSW(Hons), you must have completed 240 points from the 100 and 200-level requirements of the degree, and have approval from the programme to continue with the degree.
Applications into the fourth year of the BSW(Hons) must be made by 30 September during the third year. You will need to have completed SOWK301 and SOWK308, provide attestations of character and suitability for practice, and agree to observe the Code of Ethics of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (Inc.) and the Code of Conduct of the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board.
See how to apply for each year of the BSW(Hons).
Completed courses can be credited to a Bachelor of Arts if you are unable to, or choose not to, continue with a BSW(Hons).
The Bachelor of Social Work with Honours follows a closely prescribed structure, with courses on social services in Aotearoa New Zealand, social work internship placements, and a variety of optional courses.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- HSRV103 Violence in Society
- SOWK101 Introduction to Social Policy
- SOWK102 Social Services in Aotearoa
- SOWK104 Youth Realities
- MAOR108 Te Patu a Maui: The Treaty of Waitangi — facing and overcoming colonisation OR MAOR165 Tuakiri: Culture and Identity
- Three courses selected from these options
Year 2
You will need to complete an application for entry into 200-level SOWK courses.
- HSRV204 Culture, Indigeneity and Citizenship: Critical Debates for the Human Services
- MAOR212 Māori and Indigenous Development
- SOWK202 Human Behaviour and Human Systems
- SOWK203 Policy Debates in the Social Services
- SOWK205 Social Work and Community Engagement
- SOWK206 Communication for Practice
- SOWK212 Family Violence
- One course selected from these options
Year 3
An application is required for entry to the third year of the BSW(Hons).
- SOWK301 Theory, Methods and Integration
- SOWK303 Mental Health
- SOWK304 Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake in Practice
- SOWK308 Social Work Principles and Skills
- SOWK340 Practice Research for Social Work
Year 4
Completion of SOWK301 and SOWK308, and an application for entry to the fourth year will need to be made by 30 September in the previous year of study.
UC offers postgraduate programmes in advanced Social Work practice and research:
- Master of Social Work
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work
Other students with any undergraduate degree can choose to study our Master of Social Work (Applied) to become qualified as a social worker.
- Gain practical experience through the two fieldwork placements in the fourth year of your degree.
- The combination of theory and practice sets you up with the values, knowledge, and skills needed to work in the social work profession.
- Graduates are working as community development workers, counsellors, social workers, youth workers, policy analysts, educators, and more.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2024 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,846 |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,660 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2024 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $32,313 |
| 2023 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $30,738 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).