Bachelor of Social Work
Become a registered social worker with Massey’s Bachelor of Social Work. As a social worker, you can advocate for structural change, engage in community development and help people overcome challenges to enhance individual and wh?nau wellbeing.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is highly sought-after and internationally recognised. It will offer you a lifelong career that can take you across New Zealand and around the world.
- More than 90% of Massey social work graduates find employment within six months of earning their degree.
- Massey University is committed to being Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led and this is reflected in the School of Social Work and in your learning.
- The degree is recognised by the NZ Social Work Registration Board.
- Massey graduates make up the largest number of qualified social workers in the country.
- Social work is a growth industry, with about 7000 registered social workers in NZ.
- Massey is the leading university in New Zealand where you can study for your degree through distance learning.
- You will get vital hands-on experience in the workplace in your third and fourth year of study where you will be supported to undertake placements.
- We combine both theory and practice, taught by well-qualified staff.
Our degree equips you with all the skills needed to understand and work alongside people and communities in the modern world.
Want to work towards a role that has a positive impact on individuals, families, groups and communities? Want to enjoy a fulfilling career that can give you great employment opportunities and further career development pathways? Open to personal and professional development and keen to work with diverse communities? Join us today on a journey of self-discovery and success.
Campus Information
Auckland campus
Massey University’s innovative Auckland / Oteha campus is located on the North Shore of New Zealand’s largest city – Auckland. The campus grounds are peaceful with many native trees and plants, yet it’s only a five minute walk to the expansive Westfield shopping centre with its movie theatres, shops, restaurants and numerous fast food outlets. If you want to travel further, there are buses running regular routes around the North Shore region and into Auckland city.
Manawatu campus (Palmerston North)
The Manawatu campus is Massey's original campus. With lovely heritage buildings and park-like grounds located near Palmerston North city, it is one of the best places in the country to experience the real student lifestyle. With a huge portion of the population under 25 it is the perfect place for learning and living. The large campus is beautiful year-round with 11,500 different varieties of plants and trees in the form of manicured gardens, green fields, woodlands and bush.
Intakes
- Feb
- July
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
A social work degree means you can work in many different areas. Social workers work across all age groups and you will have opportunities to work in many different areas, in non-government or statutory organisations, for example:
- child protection
- community work and community development
- diversity specific services (eg Chinese, Korean, S?moan, Rainbow, Spiritually-based)
- hospitals and primary health care
- housing
- iwi and marae-based social services
- management and supervision
- mental health and addictions
- offenders
- policy development
- refugees and migrants
- residential care
- schools
- tertiary education
- women
- youth justice.
PSW Opportunity
Level 7 (Bachelor’s degree)
- Duration: Equal to length of study (typically up to 3 years)
- Requirement: minimum 30 weeks full time study in NZ
Level 7 (Graduate Diploma)
Eligible for PSWV
Conditions:
- Must also hold a Bachelor’s degree (NZ or overseas)
- Duration: Up to length of study (typically 1 year)
Level 8 (Postgraduate Diploma)
- Duration: Equal to length of study, OR
- Up to 3 years in some cases (if part of higher qualification pathway)
Level 9 and 10 (Master’s degree and Doctoral degree)
- Duration: 3 years
- Condition: Must study at least 30 weeks in New Zealand
- Most eligible international students can work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled breaks, only if their student visa includes work rights.
- Foundation, pathway and short courses have different rules.
- Not allowed for part time students.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
- All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC) or Indian School Certificate (ISC) Year 12 with an overall average of 75% and a minimum of 60% in English
- For most undergraduate level programmes, the minimum academic entry requirement is successful completion of a qualification equivalent to the New Zealand Year 13 - NCEA Level 3 University Entrance. International students need to check the equivalency of their secondary school qualification by reviewing the list of Academic Admission Requirements by Country/Region.
- International students who have previously studied at a New Zealand secondary school should refer to the secondary school requirements section.
- International students who have completed 3 x B at level 5 or 6 passes in the New Zealand Diploma of Business may apply for entry into a Bachelor's programme.
- An NZQA transcript as formal evidence of the NZDipBus results is required before credit will be assessed and only papers with a minimum grade of B will be assessed for credit.
- The English language requirements can be met by:
- A minimum IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) used to gain entry to the NZDipBus or,
- A recent IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 04 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
109320 NZD
Average Cost of Living: 20000 NZD /year
Application Fee: N/A

