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 (Applied)
- 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 (Applied)
- Master of Social Work
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
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 with Honours (BSW(Hons)) at UC is Aotearoa New Zealand’s most established Social Work programme. The BSW(Hons) 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.
- Recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board.
- Internationally recognised qualification.
- The BSW(Hons) has a strong practical component, leading up to 80% fieldwork in your fourth and final year.
- Field placements see students working within social service agencies and the community.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
Students with English as an additional language are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
Entry to the first year of the BSW(Hons) is open to all students 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.
Typical degree structure for Bachelor of Social Work with Honours
-
Compulsory courses
-
Courses chosen from ANTH, CRJU, EDUC, MAOR, POLS, PSYC, SOCI, TREO, or WRIT 101
-
Optional course
(1) Choose from CULT 202, HIST 243, HSRV 208, HSRV 210, MAOR 270, MAOR 285, COMS 207, POLS 206, POLS 212, or SOCI 218.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points (or more).
Students who began a Bachelor of Social Work before 2019 will follow a different structure.
The BSW(Hons) requires a total of 480 points:
- 405 points of compulsory courses from Schedule A
- 75 points at 100 or 200-level, from a list of optional courses in Schedule B.
The degree takes 4 years full-time to complete. Part-time study is also available and must be completed in up to 8 years.
Students who started their BSW before 2019 will follow a different structure - see the UC Calendar Archive or contact a College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata Student Advisor.
Second year and beyond
Entry to Social Work courses at 200-level and above is competitive. Students applying for entry into the second year of the BSW(Hons) 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), students 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. Students must have completed SOWK 301 and SOWK 308, 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.
For more information on the entry process for each year of the BSW(Hons), see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours or contact a College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata Student Advisor.
Completed courses can be credited to a Bachelor of Arts if you are unable to, or choose not to, continue with a BSW(Hons).
Students who started their BSW before 2019 will follow a different structure - see the UC Calendar Archive or contact a College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata Student Advisor.
First year courses
Students in the first year of the BSW(Hons) will complete:
- HSRV 103 Violence in Society
- SOWK 101 Introduction to Social Welfare Policy and Human Services
- SOWK 102 Human Services in Aotearoa
- SOWK 104 Youth Realities
- MAOR 108 Aotearoa: Introduction to New Zealand Treaty Society or MAOR 165 He Tīmatanga: Engaging with Māori
Plus a choice of three 100-level courses selected from:
Second year courses
Students will need to complete first year SOWK courses, and an application, for entry into 200-level SOWK courses.
- HSRV 204 Culture, Indigeneity and Citizenship: Critical Debates for the Human Services
- HSRV 206 Family Violence
- MAOR 212 Māori and Indigenous Development
- SOWK 201 Communication in the Human Services
- SOWK 202 Human Behaviour and Human Systems
- SOWK 203 Policy Debates in the Social Services
- SOWK 205 Social Work and Community Engagement
Plus one of:
- CULT 202 Cultural Politics/Cultural Activism
- HIST 243 Kiwi Culture
- HSRV 208 Gender Sensitivity and the Human Services
- HSRV 210 Women Offending and Victimisation Perspectives
- MAOR 270 Te Ao Hauora Tangata: Māori Health Perspectives
- MAOR 285 Oral Traditions and Modern Histories of Ngāi Tahu
- COMS 207 Social Media and Public Life
- POLS 206 Introduction to Public Policy
- POLS 212 Global and International Political Economy
- SOCI 218 Crime and Justice
Third year courses
An application and approval from the programme is required for entry to the third year of the BSW(Hons).
Fourth year courses
Completion of SOWK 301 and SOWK 308, and an application for entry to the fourth year of the BSW(Hons), will need to be made by 30 September in the previous year of study.
- Master of Social Work (research thesis)
- Master of Social Work (Applied) (coursework only)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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 wellbeing.
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) |
| 2019 | 480 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,091 per 120 points |
| 2020 | 480 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,213 per 120 points |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2019 | 480 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $27,125 (first 120 points) |
| 2020 | 480 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $28,750 (first 120 points) |
Contact us
For assistance with planning your programme of study contact the Liaison Office (new students), or a College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata Student Advisor (advancing students).
For more general information email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).
For the full degree requirements see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours. For more information on facilities, resources, and staff see the College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata.