Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Change lives for the better.

Help change lives by solving problems in human relationships, promoting social change and enhancing the wellbeing of others

Faculty

Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Award

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Commencing Terms

Term 1, Term 2

Duration (Full Time)

4 Year(s)

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) is a four-year, full-time degree with an integrated honours component. As a social worker, you’ll change lives by solving problems in human relationships, promoting social change and enhancing the wellbeing of others.

Our Social Work degree emphasises practical skills, with guidance from social workers and industry professionals. You’ll gain expertise in a variety of areas, including mental health, social work counselling, community work, sociology, psychology and working with Indigenous communities.

Key features

Learn the foundations

In your first year of study, you’ll complete an introduction to social work where you’ll learn the foundations of social work practice in a diverse and changing field. You’ll be guided throughout the program by social workers who are experienced in teaching, practice, research and policy.

Field education and a professional portfolio

You’lll gain hands-on experience in the field, completing two diverse placements, in metropolitan and rural Australia or overseas in our partnering countries.

Specialise in an area you’re passionate about

As a social work student, you can focus on particular contexts or methods of practice, by specialising in areas including community health, child welfare, or clinical social work. You also have the chance to gain expertise in a variety of practice areas, as well as in research in social work theory and policy studies from dynamic teachers who are experts in their field.

Research component

This degree will help you develop research skills, including research design and methodology. As part of the Honours requirement, in your final year, you’ll complete either a piece of independent research in the form of a thesis or an advanced practice portfolio.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community
Our program is accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Learn through research-informed teaching
Prioritise career success – UNSW won the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable Students Award in 2020.
Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
Access world class alumni connections
Join a global top 50 university (QS World University Rankings, 2021)

Program Code

4033

CRICOS Code

000831E

Campus

Kensington

UAC Code

422400

Total Units of Credit (UOC)

192

Indicative Enrolments

295

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2021 Lowest Selection Rank

2021 A levels

2021 IB Diploma

2021 Lowest ATAR

70.05

2021 Lowest Selection Rank
The 2021 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2021.

2021 A levels
The 2021 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.

2021 IB Diploma
The 2021 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2021. It is to be used as a guide only.

2021 Lowest ATAR
The 2021 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.

Alternative entry pathways

If you’ve studied the relevant diplomas under the TAFE Community Services Training Package, you’ll receive TAFE Credit Transfer for up to 48 units of credit (UOC), which is equivalent to one-year, full-time study.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.

International direct entry

I studied in:

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Pathway programs

UNSW Global has university pathway programs that provide seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. Learn more.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) consists of 30 courses and an honours thesis. It can be completed in four-years full-time.

The program includes:

24 Core courses
4 Electives/General education courses
2 Professional placements
1 Honours thesis

Full program structure

Each university year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period.

Some courses need to be studied in your first and second year, so you’re prepared for courses that can only be studied in later years. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.

Below is an example of what you could study in a standard four-year, full-time study plan in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours).

First year

7 Social Work/Arts & Social Sciences core courses
1 Free elective/general education course

Second year

6 Social Work/Arts & Social Sciences core courses
2 Free elective/general education courses

Third year

4 Social Work/Arts & Social Sciences core courses
2 Professional placements

Fourth year

6 Social Work core courses
1 Honours thesis

Explore your options further through a sample program. For your full course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.

Download Sample Program

Go to the handbook

UNSW Bachelor of Social Work is one of the most highly regarded social work programs in Australia. Our graduates go on to diverse careers that have a real, positive impact on people’s lives and society through, mental health support, child protection, social justice, human rights advocacy, community development, and more.

Potential careers

Policy analyst and adviser
Research officer
Project manager
Social worker

Accreditation

Graduates with the degree of Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from UNSW are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Our double degrees enable you to broaden your opportunities and study different areas simultaneously.

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to apply?

Apply now

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.

Ready to apply?

Apply now

2021 Indicative First Year Fee

$7,950*

Commonwealth Supported Place, Student Contribution Band 4

*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.

The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included.

2021 Indicative First Year Fee

$38,310*

2021 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree

$157,270*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed below.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships

Our scholarships can help you achieve your potential and enhance the university experience. Scholarships reward academic achievements and encourage international mobility, diversity and equity.

Top 50

Worldwide

QS World University Rankings, 2022.
Most

Employable Graduates

AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
Leading

Innovation

#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

"I really liked that the UNSW degree was so practical. I was really excited about the way UNSW structured their degree and the diversity of topics."

Tahlia Trijbetz

Social Work Alum

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