Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1 & 2
- Duration
- 4 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- UAC code 422400
- Program code 4033
- CRICOS code 000831E
-
ATAR/2025 lowest selection rank
- 80.0 View all admission criteria
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $16,500*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $67,500*
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $48,000*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $203,000*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
-
Field experience
-
AASW accreditation
-
Fourth-year thesis
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Careers in social work
- Double degrees
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) is a four-year degree when studied full time, with an integrated honours component.
Becoming a social worker is a genuinely transformative experience. Not only will you be able to significantly change and enhance others’ lives, but you’ll also be actively shaping happier, healthier relationships and communities.
This internationally recognised degree focuses on the very real and very important outcomes of social work – giving you the practical skills to make a difference, with direct guidance from industry professionals and current social workers. You’ll gain experience across diverse human services such as mental health, social work counselling, community work, sociology, psychology, and working with Indigenous communities. This degree will set you up for a successful and rewarding career that is projected to grow by 23.2% by 2026 (Labour Market Insights).
Key features
A solid foundation
In your first year of study, you’ll begin building the stability to adapt within a diverse field that is constantly changing. Discover new interests and contexts while developing the foundations of your future social work practice. You’ll have guidance throughout the program from social workers experienced in teaching, practice, research, and policy.
Field education
Work experience is essential to learning and experiencing the world beyond the classroom. This degree includes two work placements to develop your insights, confidence, and essential practical skills. You’ll gain distinct experience working in metropolitan and rural Australia or in one of our partnering countries overseas.
Fuel your passion
Dive deeper into the area where you’re driven to have the most impact. You’ll be able to focus your efforts and interpersonal skills in fields such as community health, child welfare, or clinical social work. You’ll also have opportunities to gain expertise in various areas of practice and in research fields such as social work theory and policy studies.
Research for your future
Social work careers evolve with society’s changing needs. With advanced research and analysis skills, your professional development can adapt to future changes with confidence. In your final year, you’ll produce a thesis or advanced professional portfolio based on your independent research.
Accreditation
Empower yourself with an education that meets formal accreditation standards. Upon graduation, you’ll meet the benchmarks set by the Australian Association of Social Workers (the professional body for social workers) and be eligible for their membership.
Why study at UNSW?
- We're ranked #1 in Australia and =#23 globally for social sciences and management (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).
- Prioritise career success – UNSW has been awarded Most Employable students for six years in a row (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025)
- Accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community
- Learn through research-informed teaching
- Practical classes and two work placements
- Benefit from strong social work industry connections
- Increased employability with an honour’s qualification
- Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026)
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
Entry requirements
-
- The 2025 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025.
- The 2025 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. 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.
- The 2025 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2025 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.
*The Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made, for this program, is based on a UNSW Gateway Early Conditional Offer.
-
At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Domestic students are eligible to apply for the following volume of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits towards their UNSW degree that belong in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture:
- 1-year Diploma: 48 UoC (equivalent to first year)
- 1.5-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 72 UoC (equivalent to first year and a half)
- 2-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 96 UoC (equivalent to two years)
Considering your previous qualifications and their relevance to the chosen program at UNSW, the type and amount of credit you can apply for, as well as the duration of your remaining program, will then be determined.
Assessment by the Program Director is required for RPL applications toward Professional Accredited programs. Please note that eligibility for the full volume of RPL may be subject to accreditation requirements.
Portfolio Entry
At UNSW ADA, you will find the freedom and support to design the future you want. An ADA Portfolio Entry submission will demonstrate your passions alongside your best work, to boost your chances of admission to a bachelor’s degree of your choice. For more information and to see specific guidelines for portfolio submissions visit UNSW Portfolio Entry.
Adjustment Factors
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Admission pathways
TAFE Pathways Program
This degree is eligible for the TAFE Pathways Program. If you've completed a qualification under a relevant TAFE Training Package, you may be eligible for credit transfer. For more details, including this program's TAFE Pathway study plan, visit UNSW TAFE Pathways Program.
UNSW Prep Program
If you want to study at UNSW but faced challenges in year 11 and 12 that make you eligible for the UNSW ACCESS Scheme, but you don't meet the cut-off for degree entry, consider UNSW Prep.
UNSW Prep is a one-year (18 months for Engineering) pathway to a UNSW degree place. You'll study subjects that allow you to develop your academic skills, including maths skills if needed, so that you can achieve your best results. You also study degree level courses from week one, to give you a realistic introduction to university level study. If you do well in these courses you can earn course credit towards your degree.
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
A year 12 or equivalent secondary school level qualification or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to AQF Level 7 Degree courses in Australia OR An overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 7.0 in each component, listening, reading, writing, and speaking, or the equivalent level in a comparable English language test.
International direct entry
Information for applicants with CBSE, HKDSE or Singapore A Levels Qualification
Calculating your CBSE Score:
Awarded by CBSE, average percentage marks across English or Hindi, and your best four remaining subjects. Where marks are given as a range, the mid-point for that range is used e.g. 75 to 80 = 77.5.
Calculating your HKDSE Score:
Due to changes in the HKDSE curriculum, UNSW assessment is currently under review.
Calculating your Singapore A Levels:
Due to significant changes to the GCE A-Level Curriculum and University Admissions Score (UAS) calculation effective 2026, UNSW assessment is currently under review.
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.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Typically, international students are eligible to apply for the following volume of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits towards their UNSW degree that belong in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture:
- 1-year Diploma: Up to 48 UoC
- 1.5-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 72 UoC
- 2-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 96 UoC
Generally, International students must ensure that their prior qualifications are assessed and deemed relevant to the program they intend to pursue. Additionally, they are required to maintain a full-time study load as part of the conditions for their Confirmation of Enrolment.
Admission pathways
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. 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 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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
English Language Proficiency Requirement
A year 12 or equivalent secondary school level qualification or higher qualification in the English language consistent with the requirements for admission to AQF Level 7 Degree courses in Australia OR An overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 7.0 in each component, listening, reading, writing, and speaking, or the equivalent level in a comparable English language test.
What will I study?
UNSW is introducing a new academic calendar from 2028.
We are moving to a new flex-semester calendar. What does this mean for your studies?
Program structure
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
For your full course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.
Future careers
From much-needed mental health support to child protection, case management, social justice, human rights advocacy and community development – the potential for true change and impact as a social worker is limitless.
Upon successful completion of this degree, you’ll launch your career with expertise, experience and skills that can’t be found elsewhere. Our Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) is one of the most highly regarded social work programs in the country, enabling passionate and insightful people like you to positively impact the lives of others through diverse and well-established careers.
Potential careers
- Caseworker
- Counsellor
- Policy analyst
- Research officer
- Project manager
- Special care worker
- Social policy adviser
- Social research officer
- Social worker
- Welfare worker
- Youth worker
To help you choose if social work is the right path for you, find out how to become a social worker in Australia, the qualifications you need and where your career might take you.
Our alumni
"Everything I learnt in my degrees has been beneficial. From theoretical knowledge to classroom tutorials and role plays. I think something that was unexpected that I learned was the importance of interpersonal skills in connecting with people, so skills like active listening and being empathetic to build trust and relationships with others."
Sofia Moysiadis
Domestic and Family Violence Caseworker
The Benevolent Society
Accreditation
Australian Association of Social Workers, Graduates with the degree of Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from UNSW are eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Double degrees
Combine your interests for a unique career that is connected to your talents and passions. In a double degree you focus on two areas of expertise to graduate with more knowledge, skills, and career options. And because you only study the core courses, a double degree is less work and faster than studying two full degrees.
How to apply
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 start your application?
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 details, visit the international admissions 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. For details, visit the under 18 international students page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
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.
*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 here.
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
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025
Highest number of startups and spinouts from university-developed tech (SCOPR report, 2024)
"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."
