Program Overview

Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make important contributions which benefit individuals and communities.

Throughout the degree, you will build on prior study of the individual and society, and further develop your interest in social justice, human rights and social development, to earn a professionally accredited social work qualification.

UOW social work graduates enter the workforce with practical experience earned through supervised professional placements. Your UOW degree will ensure you’re ready to promote social change and development and will help you make a difference to the lives of marginalised and disadvantaged individuals, families and communities.

This course balances practical skills, concepts and theory, as well as hands-on experience in professional practice, equipping you will strong communication and community engagement skills, developing your understanding of social work methods, and honing your social research and policy development abilities.

Overview

• The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is a professionally accredited social work qualification.
• The course balances practical skills, concepts and theory, as well as hands-on experience in professional practice.
• Graduates will be equipped with strong communication and community engagement skills, and will have developed their understanding of social work methods and social research and policy development abilities.

Careers

• Access and Equity Advisor
  • Aged and Disability Officer
  • Case Manager
  • Community Development Officer
  • Disability Services Manager
  • Domestic Violence Advocacy Worker
  • Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
  • Family Relationship Coordinator
  • Social Worker
  • Welfare Officer

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

• The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is fully accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• It is an entry qualification into the social work profession and has been determined to meet the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).
• Graduates of this course are eligible for membership of the AASW, which is required by many employers.

Admissions Information

• A range of admission options are available for future students.
• The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.
• For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

Entry Requirements

• A recognised bachelor's degree in social sciences, psychology, public health, education, nursing, or a related undergraduate qualification with at least one year of Social Science content (i.e., studies of the individual and society), completed in the last 10 years.
• If qualifications are older than 10 years, applicants may still be considered if they have current relevant work experience.

English Language Requirements

• The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
  • English Test | Overall Score | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
  • IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0
  • TOEFL (Internet-based) | 94 | 24 | 27 | 24 | 23
  • UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 75 in Academic Reading and Writing (ARW) and 75 in Academic Listening and Speaking (ALS))

Compulsory Work-Based Placement

• This course contains a total of 1000 hours of compulsory work-based placements, completed over 104 weeks (at 10 hours per week) throughout the degree, and may also include mandatory online components.

Workload

• Full-Time Study Load: As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

Record Check

• NSW Health Requirements: The NSW Health Department requires all students undertaking clinical placements at NSW Health hospitals and facilities to:
  • undergo a national criminal record check; and
  • comply with NSW Health's immunisation requirements
• Child Protection: Under the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012, and the Child Protection (Working with Children) Regulation 2013, students enrolled in UOW degrees where their studies require them to engage in activities that involve children or young people, may be required to complete a Volunteer/Student Declaration and/or undergo a Working With Children Check (WWCC).

Credit for Prior Learning

• If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.
• Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

Fees

• International Course fees table:
  • Campus | Delivery method | Session fee | Course fee
  • Wollongong | Flexible | $18,672 (2025) | $74,688 (2025)
• Additional Fees: In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

Key Dates

• Autumn Session, 2025 at UOW:
  • Application Deadline: See important dates for more information
  • Orientation: Check your campus details
  • Session: 03 March - 27 June 2025
• Autumn Session, 2026 at UOW:
  • Application Deadline: Applications must include all required documents to be considered complete. If submitted late, your application may be reviewed for a future session if a decision cannot be made in time for your preferred session.
  • Session Details: For more detailed information like enrolment cutoffs and exam periods, see key dates.
    • Date
    • Orientation: Check your campus details
    • Session start: 2 March, 2026
    • Census date: 31 March, 2026
    • Mid-session recess: 20-24 April, 2026
    • Session end: 25 June, 2026

More Detail

• For more information about this course, please refer to the UOW Handbook.
• The course duration is 2 years full-time, or part-time equivalent.
• The course code is CRICOS: E, UOW: 459.