MSW(Prof) - Master of Social Work (Professional)

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule/Programme Rules
Graduate Profile

Build on your existing qualification and prepare for a career as a professional social worker. This programme is designed for graduates from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about human well-being, social justice and social change. You will develop advanced knowledge and skills for bicultural social work practice, partnership, and forward-looking social sector leadership, across a range of settings and systems.

This hands-on programme qualifies graduates to register and practise as a social worker as it meets the requirements of the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Act 2003, plus international professional requirements. It also provides a potential pathway to doctoral study.

The two-year programme includes lectures, discussion, student presentations, skills laboratories, group work, individual research and investigation, practicum placements and self-directed study.

The strong practical focus of this programme involves 120 days of supervised practicum work in the community.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

This programme is designed to lead you into a career as a registered social worker. For those who already have work experience in the field and a related undergraduate degree, but do not hold a formal social work qualification, this is an effective pathway to increase your salary and career opportunities.

Social worker
Case worker for Child Youth and Family
Youth worker
Community development officer
Probation officer
Policy adviser
Social worker for a District Health Board

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

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

button for easy access to information about study this qualification

Watch Dr Ian Hyslop and Lecturer Kendra Cox discuss the Master of Social Work Professional.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

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 and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

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

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

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	08 December 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026
2027 Semester One	08 December 2026	01 March 2027	28 June 2027
2028 Semester One	08 December 2027	28 February 2028	27 June 2028

1 - 3

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

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.

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 in the University Calendar and the related Programme and Course Limitations and selection criteria.

University of Auckland Qualification

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

5.0 - Grade Point Average

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

You must have completed a bachelors degree in a relevant subject. Relevant subjects may include anthropology, education, gender studies, history, politics, public policy, international relations, human geography, law, community development, planning, Māori studies, Pacific studies, nursing, population health, health sciences, psychology or sociology. Students with Science, Communications, Arts degrees (including English) or Creative Arts degrees may be eligible depending upon their degree programme and other relevant experience.

You will need a GPA of 5.0 or higher in at least 60 points above Stage II.

Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

If you are a domestic applicant, you will generally be considered proficient in English.

6.5 - IELTS Academic score required

No bands less than - 6.0

See alternative English language requirements

For more information about the requirements and English proficiency tests, please see Postgraduate English language requirements.

Qualification from another tertiary institution

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

5.0 - Grade Point Equivalent

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

You must have completed a bachelors degree in a relevant subject at a recognised university (or equivalent tertiary institution).

Relevant subjects may include anthropology, education, gender studies, history, politics, public policy, international relations, human geography, law, community development, planning, Māori studies, Pacific studies, nursing, population health, health sciences, psychology or sociology. Students with Science, Communications, Arts degrees (including English) or Creative Arts degrees may be eligible depending upon their degree programme and other relevant experience.

You will need a GPA of 5.0 or higher in at least 60 points in above Stage II.

Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports.

Transfer of Credit - You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information see External transfer of credit.

If you have completed study at another New Zealand University, get an estimate of the transfer credit you may be eligible for, using our Transfer Credit Calculator.

If you have not met the requirement you can still gain entry if you have attained an equivalent and relevant, practical, professional or scholarly experience.

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

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant must have:

a (i) completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant subject with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

(ii) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II

(iii) passed 60 points towards a relevant postgraduate certificate or diploma (or 60 points of relevant 700 level courses) with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, provided that the postgraduate certificate or the postgraduate diploma has not been awarded

and

b demonstrated in accordance with the approved selection criteria determined by the Faculty of Education and Social Work the qualities necessary for a person seeking to be a social worker. This will normally require letters of reference and an interview.

2 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Notes:

(i) Relevant subjects may include anthropology, education, gender studies, history, politics, public policy, international relations, human geography, law, community development, planning, Māori studies, Pacific studies, nursing, population health, health sciences, psychology or sociology. Students with Science, Communications, Arts degrees (including English) or Creative Arts degrees may be eligible depending upon their degree programme and other relevant experience.

(ii) Applicants will be required to consent to a Police check to ensure they meet the requirements of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003.

(iii) Applicants will be required to undergo safety checks required by the Children’s Act 2014.

(iv) This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Education and Social Work.

4 A student enrolled for this degree must:

a pass courses with a total value of 240 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees

and

c not exceed 280 points for the total enrolment for this degree.

5 a A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Social Work (Professional) Schedule.

b A student will not normally be permitted to enrol for Part II unless Part I has been completed, except for elective courses without prerequisites.

6 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

7 a At the discretion of the Programme Director, a student who does not pass required courses for Part I may be declined permission to re-enrol in this degree.

b Re-enrolment in any of SOCWORK 721, 722, 725 after failing that course requires the permission of the Programme Director.

c A student must continue to meet the requirements of being a fit and proper person for registration by the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board throughout the duration of enrolment in the programme as outlined in the programme handbook.

8 a If the behaviour of a student in a practice environment is found, after due and fair inquiry, to be 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.

9 This degree may be awarded with Honours as specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

10 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.