Hamilton City Information Session
Explore study options at our Hamilton City Campus available for Semester 1 2025! This whānau-friendly event is a great opportunity to ask any pātai (questions) you may have and get your enrolment sorted.
Bachelor of Social Work
HS0114
Course details
-
Feb 2025
- Four years
- Full-time or Part-time
- $7,780* per year
- You may qualify for fee-free study under Fees Free Policy
- Level 7
- Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
Summary
This programme is for those passionate about social justice who want to support and empower individuals, families, whānau, and communities. Students will gain the skills to provide advice and support and learn how to advocate for individuals and groups. They will help their communities realise their full potential to function independently and positively in society.
This four-year programme combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning. You will gain the knowledge base, skills, and attributes required to practice in a variety of social work fields and environments such as schools, hospitals, community groups, or government organisations.
Students will develop the skills to:
- Promote the principles of human rights and social justice and promote social change.
- Work collaboratively with other professionals in multi-disciplinary teams, organisations, and communities.
- Work with individuals, families, or whānau, and communities from diverse ethnic, cultural, and indigenous backgrounds.
- Undertake practice according to the ethical, legislative, and professional boundaries.
- Work confidently in a bi-cultural context integrating the Treaty of Waitangi into their practice.
- Work autonomously and make independent judgments from a well–informed social work position based on knowledge of human behaviour and social systems theories.
- Critically reflect on their own social work practice through supervision, peer review, and self-evaluation.
- Establish and maintain working relationships with different user groups.
- Provide or facilitate social services in fields such as healthcare, schools, government, and non-government agencies.
- Undertake their practice according to the ethical and legislative boundaries.
- Incorporate the Treaty of Waitangi into their practice.
- Increase their social and political awareness, and think critically about the structures, behaviours, and processes that disadvantage and oppress people.
The Bachelor of Social Work programme will prepare graduates to enter the social work workforce at a beginning practitioner level with provisional registration with the Social Workers Registration Board.
Students take advantage of our flexible course delivery. Short on-campus learning blocks in Hamilton are combined with study that students can do online at home in their community. We provide a supportive study environment with qualified professionals who are here to guide students to success.
Wintec offers a blended delivery approach to the Bachelor of Social Work programmes. Full-time study expectations are 30-35 hours per week. This is made up of a combination of face-to-face sessions, online classes, online directed activities, and video conferencing (Zoom).
What you will learn
The Bachelor of Social Work is a four year, 480-credit bachelor level qualification. There are 16 compulsory modules comprising 450 credits and two 15-credit electives. Graduates will be able to enter the social work workforce at a beginning practitioner level.
This is an applied programme with practice at the centre. In Year 1, students will be introduced to service users in the classroom. In Year 2, they will undertake 40 hours of voluntary work in a social service agency. Field placement is a significant element in the programme. In Years 3 and Year 4, students will undertake a 60-day supervised placement.
View programme modules
Group A: Compulsory modules
| Module code | Module title | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSSW504 | Introduction to Professional Practice | 15 | ||
| HSSW506 | Introduction to Social Work Skills | 15 | ||
| HSSW507 | Introduction to Social Work Fields of Practice | 15 | ||
| HSIP501 | Te Pū | 15 | ||
| HSIP503 | Te Ahurea/Cultural Identity | 15 | ||
| HSIP504 | Te Hapori/Sociology | 15 | ||
| HSIP502 | Te Whanaketanga/Human Development | 15 | ||
| HSIP505 | Te Hinengaro/Psychology | 15 | ||
| HSSW601 | Applied Social Policy | 15 | ||
| HSSW602 | Introduction to Social Research | 15 | ||
| HSSW603 | Applied Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities | 15 | ||
| HSSW604 | Applied Social Work Practice with Individuals, Family and Whānau | 30 | ||
| HSSW605 | Applied Professional Practice | 30 | ||
| HSIP601 | Te Weu | 15 | ||
| HSSW701 | Applied Social Research | 15 | HSSW602 | |
| HSSW702 | Advanced Social Work Practice | 30 | HSSW604 HSSW603 | |
| HSSW703 | Advanced Professional Practice
| 60 | ||
| HSSW704 | Te More | 15 | HSIP601 | |
| HSSW705 | Advanced Social Policy and Community Development
| 30 | HSSW601 | |
| HSSW706 | Integrated Professional Practice
| 60 | HSSW703 |
Group B: Social Work specialist practice – electives
| Module code | Module title | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSSW708 | Rural Social Work | 15 | ||
| HSSW707 | Social Work with Children and Youth | 15 | ||
| HSSW708 | Health Social Work | 15 | ||
| HSSW709 | Family and Whānau Violence | 15 | ||
| HSSW710 | Specialist Social Work Practice Directed Study | 15 | ||
| HSIP705 | Assessing Addiction Issues and Co-existing | 15 | ||
| Any other approved 15 credit module (level 5, 6 or 7) relevant to the Social Work field or practice | 15 | |||
| Any other approved 30 credit module (level 5, 6 or 7) relevant to the Social Work field or practice |
Design Factory NZ
In their third year of study, students can apply to study the 30 credit Design Factory NZ module. This experience teaches a range of problem-solving methodologies, which students will apply to a real-world challenge provided by an industry partner. Students will work in a multi-disciplinary team alongside students from engineering, business, IT, sport and exercise science, media arts, and more.
Joining Design Factory NZ will provide students with the opportunity to learn and work in new ways, prototype solutions to complex problems, and develop their soft skills of creativity, empathy and communication - all in high-demand for the workplace of the future.
Read more about Design Factory NZ here.
Career/further opportunities
Graduates will be able to enter the social work workforce in a variety of fields such as schools, hospitals, community groups, or government organisations, at a beginning practitioner level with provisional registration with the Social Workers Registration Board.
Application process
Covid-19 vaccination information
In light of the pandemic, it is highly recommended that you are vaccinated against Covid-19 if you want to apply for this programme.
- Apply online or download and complete an Application to Enrol Form.
- Complete the online Self-Disclosure Form. If you have applied in hard copy, you will also need to complete a Self-Disclosure Form, if you have applied online this form is included as part of the online application process.
- A referee will need to complete and submit the online referee questionnaire. Please be aware that two references are required for this programme.
- If applying in hard copy, and if you are unsure that you meet the entry criteria, complete the Additional Information Form. This will enable us to assess your application further. If applying online, and if you are unsure that you meet the entry criteria, select discretionary entrance and this form is then included as part of the online application process.
- If you have them, provide certified copies of your prior academic transcripts. Find out more about supporting material for enrolment here.
- We may also need to verify your identity (your legal name and date of birth) as well as your residency status. If you are a domestic student, we may be able to do this through your National Student Number (NSN), if we can not access your NSN number, you will need to provide evidence of this by supplying verified copies of your birth certificate or passport.
Once you have submitted your application:
- We will email you to confirm we have received it and let you know if there is anything more we need from you.
- We will assess your application, and if you are eligible to proceed, we will invite you to attend a selection interview.
The selection interview process involves:
- You will be invited to attend a selection interview that includes both a group session, an individual interview, and a written exercise:
- At the group session participants share the motivations that have led them to the social work programme of study – the social work tutors facilitate this.
- Individual interviews are conducted one-on-one with a social work tutor - this is an opportunity to review your study plans and discuss study opportunities.
- The written exercise is an opportunity to demonstrate your writing and comprehension skills.
- You will be informed of the outcome of your interview session within the week following.
After your interview:
- If you are accepted to study, we will send you an enrolment offer letter – you will need to accept this to confirm your place on the programme. Click here to find out more about enrolment and accepting your offer.
After you have accepted your offer:
- During your induction, you will be required to complete several safety checks to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014.
- More about the safety check process and the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 can be found here.
Events
Disclaimers
Entry criteria
Candidates are required to have gained:
- NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher, including:
- 14 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects; and
- Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and
- Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above made up of specified achievement standards or a package of three specified unit standards); or
- A relevant qualification at Level 4 on the NZQF; or
- Equivalent.
Candidates aged 20 or over who do not meet these entry requirements may be considered for special admission. In such cases, entry will be dependent on whether candidates can demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in the programme.
Candidates who have English as an additional language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) academic score of 6.5 across all components; or equivalent.
UE 2020
Applicants who achieved University Entrance through NCEA in 2020 will be assessed under separate NZQA entry requirements that take into account the impacts of COVID-19. Candidates are required to have:
- NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including:
- 12 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects; and
- UE Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and
- UE Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above).
Selection criteria
Candidates must meet the SWRB Fit and Proper criteria for entry. A candidate may be deemed unfit if:
- That person is unable to perform adequately the functions required to practice social work satisfactorily;
- That person is not of good character and reputation;
- That person has a conviction, in New Zealand or overseas, for an offence that is punishable by imprisonment for 3 months or more, and an offence where the nature and circumstances of the offence reflect adversely on a person’s ability to practice social work.
Candidates are required to indicate whether they have been convicted of, or are being prosecuted for, a criminal offence. Prior to commencing the programme all successful candidates will be required to complete a police vetting form. The Clean Slate Act does not apply and some types of criminal conviction may limit the ability to secure practicum placements and therefore complete the programme. Candidates should also be aware that, under the Social Workers Registration Act (2003) some types of criminal conviction may result in the Social Workers Registration Board refusing to allow a person to register as a Social Worker. The board considers that conviction for offences of the following nature would lead to a reasonable person concluding that a person is not fit and proper to practice Social Work -section 47(1):
- Homicide or manslaughter
- Sexual offending including pornography
- Violence against a person or persons
- Fraud or dishonesty
- Offences towards children or other dependant persons
- Serious alcohol and drug related offences
- Weapons or firearms offences.
In order to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children’s Act, 2014 and Child Protection Policies for all ‘specified organisations’ providing a ‘regulated service’, all candidates/students will be subjected to safety checks. These will include but are not limited to;
- A Formal Interview
- Referee Checks
- A Police Vet Check
- A Risk Assessment
Any unsatisfactory result arising from the full safety checking process may result in the candidate/student being precluded/declined entry or withdrawn from the programme of study. Furthermore, students must declare any pending or new convictions arising during any stage throughout the entire enrolment period. A conviction or failure to declare a conviction may also result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the programme. Persons who are convicted of ‘specified offences’ will not be accepted onto any programme that requires that person to work in an organisation providing a regulated service.
Candidates will be required to attend a selection interview/hui. Selection will be made on the basis of the candidate being able to demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in the programme.
Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Don't meet the entry criteria?
Pathways
To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Your first day
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Semester 1 2025
Whānau evening
Date: Wednesday 29 January 2025
Time: 5pm-7pm
Venue: Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub, City Campus
Induction
Date: Monday 3 February to Wednesday 5 February 2025
Time: 9am-4pm
Venue: Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub, City Campus
Returning students
Date: Tuesday 4 February 2025
Time: 1pm–3pm
Venue: Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub, City Campus
Prospectus (course guide)
The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.
Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus
The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.
Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus
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