Bachelor of Social Work – BSW
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is highly sought-after and recognised by other English-speaking countries, subject to their registration regulations. It will offer you a life-long career that can take you across Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.
- More than 90% of Massey social work graduates find employment within 6 months of earning their degree.
- Massey University is committed to being Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led and this is reflected in the School of Social Work and in your learning.
- The degree is recognised by the Social Work Registration Board.
- Massey graduates make up the largest number of qualified social workers in the country.
- Social work is a growth industry, with more than 10,000 registered social workers.
- You will get vital hands-on experience in the workplace in your third and fourth year of study where you will be supported to undertake placements.
- You will be equipped with both theory and practice, and taught by highly qualified staff – all experts in their fields.
- The BSW is a distance qualification where you mainly study from the comfort of your home, however the practice-focussed courses are supported by compulsory in-person contact workshops. You can attend these on the Manawatū or Auckland campus.
Our degree equips you with knowledge and skills needed to understand and work alongside people and communities in the modern world.
Want to work towards a role that has a positive impact on individuals, families, whānau, groups and communities? Want to enjoy a fulfilling career that can give you great employment opportunities and further career development pathways? Open to personal and professional development and keen to work with diverse communities? Join us today on a journey of self-discovery and success.
Further study
You may wish to progress to the Master of Social Work when you successfully complete this qualification.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
The Bachelor of Social Work is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.
To enter the Bachelor of Social Work qualification you will:
- meet the requirements set down by the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 for registration as a social worker in Aotearoa New Zealand in terms of being “fit and proper persons to practise social work”.
- provide a curriculum vitae which includes your academic and work history over the last 10 years (including things like parental or caregiving leaves)
- provide a personal statement explaining why you wish to enter the social work qualification and profession
- provide details of 2 character referees - these must not be family or friends
- if you are transferring into the BSW from another social work qualification, please provide a referee from that social work qualification as an additional referee
- provide details of any convictions or charges pending in Aotearoa New Zealand and/or overseas, Please note that the Criminal Records 'Clean Slate' Act 2004 does not apply to all qualifications and disclosure of any previous convictions is required.
- complete the vetting service request and consent form for an Aotearoa New Zealand Police check
- provide a current police certificate from any overseas countries you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
- undertake an interview (if required).
Application closing date
Applications close on 31 January (Semester One) and 10 June (Semester Two).
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey's English language competency requirements.
If English, Māori or New Zealand sign language is not your first language, you will need to provide official evidence of your English language competency in the form of:
- an IELTS test with an overall academic score of at least 6.5, with no band score less than 6.5, taken within the preceding 2 years; or
- a TOEFL internet-based test (IBT) score of 85 or higher with a writing score of 22; or at least 2 years of successful study in a New Zealand secondary school, with at least 10 Level 2 NCEA credits in Literacy (5 reading and 5 writing); or equivalent.
Massey University English language requirements
About referees
We require 2 people who can act as referees for you. A referee should be someone who has known you for 1 year or more in the capacity of employer, educator, work colleague or person of community standing, e.g. kaumātua, minister or similar. Your referee should not be a friend, flatmate, relative or someone who has not known you for at least a year. The information your referee supplies is confidential to those involved in the selection process.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete some undergraduate and all postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
If you complete this qualification within the stated time limit, you will normally be able to graduate with a class of Honours.
Look for further information under ‘Student Progression’ in the regulations for this qualification.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
If you are returning to the Bachelor of Social Work at Massey after a break of 2 years or more, you must apply for re-entry to the qualification.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
*This course is not available to international students.
About the provider
Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa is a leading New Zealand university, world-renowned for unique practical qualifications, ground-breaking research, and online courses.
Each year over 5,000 international students from more than 100 countries find a warm welcome at Massey. We are ranked in the top 250 universities in the world by QS World Rankings and have a well-established reputation for academic leadership, research excellence and innovative teaching.