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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) programme provides an opportunity for high-achieving Bachelor of Social Work students to complete their study in social work at postgraduate level while still completing their degree in four years.

Students who have completed the third year of the four-year BSW programme with a high GPA are eligible for entry.

By completing your programme with honours, you will develop an advanced level of critical and analytical ability and gain a particular strength in developing evidence-led approaches and interventions in social work practice.

Note: If a GPA of 5 is not maintained during the year, honours will not be awarded.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

This programme will qualify you to work as a social worker and equip you with range of transferable skills for a variety of careers. By completing your Bachelor of Social Work with honours, you will hold a postgraduate qualification, which will increase your career opportunities and salary potential. It also counts towards the first year of a Master of Social Work, meaning you will only need to complete another year to obtain a masters degree.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Social worker
  • Mental health and addiction support worker
  • Child protection manager
  • Refugee and migrant case manager
  • Community development coordinator
  • Youth worker
  • Disability support worker
  • Probation officer

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

Graduate story

Graduate Amiria Goodenough shares her experience of the BSW(Hons) programme.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Overseas qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained outside New Zealand, view our international entry requirements


New Zealand qualifications

 In order to be admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), you will need to:

  • achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in your third year of study in the Bachelor of Social Work

and

  • have completed the following courses: Applied Social Research (SOCWORK 312), Mental Health in Social Practice (SOCHLTH 313), Child Protection Practice (SOCCHFAM 314) and Effective Social Work in Health and Disability Services (SOCHLTH 334) or Working with Children and Families (SOCCHFAM 332) or Working with Challenging Behaviours (SOCYOUTH 333).


This is not a standalone honours programme and you must have completed year three of the Bachelor of Social Work with the University of Auckland before you are eligible to apply. If you have previously completed a Bachelor of Social Work you will not be eligible for this programme.  

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 a No student on whom the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work has already been conferred may enrol for this degree.

b In order to be admitted to this degree, a student must have:

(i) passed 360 points towards the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II

and

(ii) been recommended for admission by the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work.

c Where the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work approves enrolment for the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) the courses previously passed for the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work will be reassigned to the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work (Honours).

Duration and Total Points Value

2 A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of eight full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 480 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

Structure and Content

3 Of the 480 points required for this degree, a student must pass:

a 330 points from the Bachelor of Social Work Schedule

and

b (i) 30 points from courses offered in either the General Education Open Schedule or the General Education Faculty Schedule approved for this degree or from a combination of these schedules

(ii) in order to complete the requirements for General Education students must pass the Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar

and

c 120 points from courses listed in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) Schedule.

4 The programme for each student requires the approval of the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work.

General Education Exemptions

5 a A student is exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules who has:

either

(i) completed an undergraduate degree at a tertiary institution

or

(ii) been admitted to this degree having completed 240 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution.

b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute 30 points from courses approved by the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work.

c A student admitted to this degree, who has completed between 120 and 235 points inclusive of degree-level study at another tertiary institution, or who has completed a minimum of 50 points of study towards this degree in one semester at an overseas institution, either through an overseas exchange programme or through prior approval under the Credit Regulations, must pass:

(i) 15 points from courses offered in the General Education Schedules

and

(ii) a further 15 points from courses available for this degree.

d A student who has been fully or partially exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules is nonetheless required to complete the Academic Integrity course.

Practical Professional and Practicum Requirements

6 a At the discretion of Senate or its representative, a student who does not pass a required Professional Practice course (SOCWORK 317, 715) may be declined permission to re-enrol in this degree.

b Re-enrolment in any of SOCWORK 317, 411 or 715 after failing that course requires the permission of the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work.

c A student must continue to meet the requirements for registration throughout the duration of enrolment in the programme as outlined in the programme handbook.

Research Component

7 a The research project is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor/s appointed by Senate or its representative, on the recommendation of the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work.

b The research project topic must be approved by the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work prior to enrolment.

c A student enrolled must complete the research project by the last day of the final semester of enrolment in the research project.

d In exceptional circumstances beyond the student’s control, Senate or its representative, acting upon the recommendation of the Head of Department, may approve a limited extension of time, not exceeding two months.

Suspension or Termination of Enrolment

8 a If the behaviour of a student in a learning or practice environment is found, after due and fair inquiry, to be offensive, disruptive or likely to give rise to a risk of harm to the welfare of any person, the enrolment of the student in the programme may be terminated by Senate or its representative and any application to re-enrol may likewise be declined.

b A student who is subject to any such inquiry may be suspended by Senate or its representative from lectures, classes and any practice placement pending the outcome of the inquiry.

c A student whose enrolment is terminated under Regulation 8a may appeal that decision to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education or the duly appointed delegate.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

9 A student may apply to reassign the courses passed to the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work.

Distinction

10 a This degree will be awarded with Honours in one of three classes: First Class Honours, Second Class Honours, or Third Class Honours. Second Class Honours are awarded in either First Division or Second Division.

b The class of Honours is determined by the student’s overall grade in 120 points of 700 level courses as follows:

7.0 to 9.0 – First Class Honours

5.5 to 6.9 – Second Class Honours First Division

4.0 to 5.4 – Second Class Honours Second Division

3.9 and below – Third Class Honours.

Variations

11 In exceptional circumstances Senate or its representative may approve a personal programme which does not conform to these regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

12 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

The programme for each student requires the approval of the Dean of Faculty of Education and Social Work.

Programme Schedules

Complete 480 points comprising:

  • 330 points for Bachelor of Social Work Schedule, and
  • 30 points from General Education Courses, and
  • 120 points for Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) Schedule, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Bachelor of Social Work Schedule

Complete 330 points comprising:

  • 90 points from Stage I Courses, and
  • 120 points from Stage II Courses, and
  • 105 points for all Stage III Compulsory Courses, and
  • 15 points from Stage III Elective Courses

Stage III Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from the following:

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) Schedule

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 90 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • Either:
  • 30 points for all Research Project - 1 Semester, or
  • 30 points for all Research Project - 2 Semesters

Research Project - 1 Semester

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

Research Project - 2 Semesters

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism