PGDipSW - Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work

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

The PGDipSW is equivalent to the first year of the Master of Social Work. This qualification will enhance your professional learning and development, and it prepares you for advanced professional responsibility in social work. Through taught courses, you will learn advanced approaches and interventions in social work practice.

You will learn advanced approaches and interventions in social work practice and examine current research in social work. This programme is delivered through face-to-face block-courses supported by online study guides and resources.

Requirement

120 points from a range of recommended courses in Education Professional Studies, Education, Professional Counselling, Professional Supervision, Social Work Child and Family Practice, Social Work Health Practice, Social Work, and Social Work Youth Practice

Note: a Research Methods course is a prerequisite for enrolment in a thesis or research portfolio for the Master of Social Work from the PGDipSW. You may enrol in either Research Methodologies (EDUCSW 700) or Māori and Indigenous Research (EDUC 787)

If you complete the PGDipSW with a GPA of 5 or higher, you can choose to progress to the second year of the Master of Social Work (MSW) to complete the masters qualification. You will need to have included a research methods course (EDUCSW 700 Research Methodologies or EDUC 787 Māori and Indigenous Research) in your PGDipSW in order to do this.

Social worker in a range of settings and services
Leadership and management roles in social work

MSW - Master of Social Work

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

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Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.

University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

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.

Taught (120 point) - 3.0 Grade Point Average

Bachelor of Social Work

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

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

You must have completed a Bachelor of Social Work from this University with a GPA of 3.0 in at least 60 points above Stage II.

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.

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.

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.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	08 December 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026
2026 Semester Two	08 June 2026	20 July 2026	16 November 2026

1 - 2

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

The regulations for this postgraduate diploma 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 postgraduate diploma, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work from this University with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

b completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work from this University with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.

2 Equivalence 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.

4 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.

5 The total enrolment for this postgraduate diploma must not exceed 160 points.

6 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must pass 120 points in courses as listed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Schedule.

7 The programme for each student requires the approval of the Programme Director prior to enrolment.

8 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.

9 This postgraduate diploma may be awarded with Distinction or Merit as specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.

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.

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

The programme for each student requires the approval of the Programme Director prior to enrolment.

Complete 120 points comprising:

120 points from Elective Courses, and
1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Elective Courses

Complete exactly 120 points from the following:

EDPROFST 743 - Family Counselling (15 points)

EDPROFST 744 - Pastoral Care and Counselling in Schools (15 points)

EDUC 731 - Special Topic (30 points)

EDUC 737 - Special Topic: Arts in Communities (30 points)

EDUC 767 - Childhood Studies (30 points)

EDUC 787 - Māori and Indigenous Research (30 points)

EDUC 787A - Māori and Indigenous Research (15 points)

EDUC 787B - Māori and Indigenous Research (15 points)

EDUCSW 700 - Research Methodologies (30 points)

EDUCSW 701 - Special Study (30 points)

PROFSUPV 700 - The Practice of Professional Supervision (30 points)

PROFSUPV 701 - Advanced Approaches in Professional Supervision (30 points)

PROFSUPV 710 - Stress and Trauma in Health and Human Services (30 points)

PROFSUPV 712 - Critical Approaches in Reflective Supervision (30 points)

PROFSUPV 714 - Managing and Developing People in Human Services (30 points)

PROFSUPV 715 - Practice Teaching and Learning (30 points)

PROFSUPV 716 - Group Supervision (30 points)

PROFSUPV 718 - Special Topic (30 points)

SOCCHFAM 700 - Domestic Violence: Challenges and Responses (30 points)

SOCCHFAM 731 - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Issues (15 points)

SOCCHFAM 734 - Issues in Child Welfare and Protection (30 points)

SOCCHFAM 735 - Intimate Partner Violence (15 points)

SOCCHFAM 736 - Special Topic (15 points)

SOCHLTH 700 - Health, Social Justice and Social Work (30 points)

SOCHLTH 732 - Working with Grief and Loss (15 points)

SOCHLTH 756 - Special Topic (30 points)

SOCHLTH 756A - Special Topic (15 points)

SOCHLTH 756B - Special Topic (15 points)

SOCHLTH 757 - Special Study (30 points)

SOCWORK 700 - Clinical Social Work (30 points)

SOCWORK 702 - Social Work with Older People (30 points)

SOCWORK 713 - The Social Work Discourse (15 points)

SOCWORK 719 - Special Study (30 points)

SOCWORK 757 - Policy Appraisal and Innovation in Human Services (30 points)

SOCWORK 758 - Special Topic (30 points)

SOCWORK 759 - Special Topic (15 points)

SOCYOUTH 736 - Special Topic (15 points)

Note: A student wishing to enrol in a thesis or research portfolio for the Master of Social Work following the award of this postgraduate qualification should note that EDUC 787, EDUCSW 700 or 701 (or an equivalent 30 points in a research methods course approved by the Academic Head) is a prerequisite for enrolment.

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

ACADINT A01 - Academic Integrity Course (0 points)

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Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work

Contents

Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

Programme Structure

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

Jobs related to this programme

Further Study Options

Student career planning services

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Postgraduate Requirements

Other Pathways to Study

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Scholarships

Loans and Allowances

Cost of Living

Key Dates

Application Advice

Key Dates

Other Important Dates

Regulations

Preamble

Admission

Duration and Total Points Value

Structure and Content

Distinction

Variations

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

Schedule

Schedule Notes

Programme Schedules

Elective Courses

Complete exactly 120 points from the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

Programme Capabilities

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

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