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Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Drive meaningful social change. Enhance outcomes for individuals. Develop advanced research capability.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

If you’re planning to study at UOW immediately after finishing your HSC, International Baccalaureate (IB), or an interstate equivalent, you can apply for Early Admission to this course. Applications can be submitted via the UOW Early Admission website during the designated period, usually June – August each year.

Students can also apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

If you’re a non-school leaver (e.g., completed Year 12 previously and/or have a TAFE qualification or equivalent), you can apply directly to UOW.

Before applying, please review the requirements, intakes, and deadlines for your chosen degree.

International students can apply to study at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in several ways. Your application options will depend on your individual circumstances.

Explore your options at UOW Apply.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent to help you navigate the application process, ensure that you submit all necessary documentation, and provide you with visa counselling services. Applying through an approved UOW agent is offered at no cost to students.

For your nearest agent, please see our UOW agent list.

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?
Year ?
Campus ?
Delivery ?
On Campus
Duration ?
4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2026
Codes
CRICOS: 096746G
UOW: 1799

Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) provides you, as a high-achieving student, with the opportunity to undertake advanced research alongside your professional studies. This embedded honours program supports you if you are considering a future in research, academia or leadership roles in practice.

Honours enhances your ability to critically analyse complex social issues and contribute to the evidence base that informs social work practice. It also strengthens your pathways into Higher Degree Research (HDR) programs, including master’s by research and PhD study.

You complete an independent research project while continuing your coursework and 1,000 hours of professional placement across the degree, demonstrating a high level of commitment, capability and professional development.

You graduate with a highly regarded qualification that supports your career progression and positions you as a leader in evidence-informed practice.

See the course handbook for more information.

Honours offers you the opportunity to explore an area of social work you are passionate about, contributing new knowledge to a field where research is increasingly valued and in demand. You develop advanced research skills and an understanding of how research informs practice, policy, and service delivery across the sector.

Unlike many other degrees, honours is embedded within the Bachelor of Social Work, meaning you complete your research project alongside coursework and potentially practice placements. This demonstrates a high level of capability and commitment and is highly regarded by employers.

You are supported by a dedicated supervision team, typically made up of two or three academics with expertise in social work and related disciplines. Projects may be student-led, based on your individual interests, or aligned with existing research initiatives offered by academic staff.

Through this experience, you build skills in critical thinking, project design, analysis, and academic writing. Many produce work that is suitable for publication, further strengthening your professional profile.

With a strong emphasis on research-informed practice, you are well positioned to pursue careers that combine direct practice with research, policy development or leadership, or to continue into postgraduate research study.

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Careers

  • Aged Care Case Manager
  • Alcohol and Other Drug Worker
  • Case Manager
  • Child Protection Officer
  • Clinical Social Worker
  • Community Corrections Officer
  • Community Development Coordinator
  • Community Educator
  • Counsellor (where role accepts social work qualification)
  • Disability Support Coordinator (NDIS)
  • Family Support Worker
  • Hospital Social Worker
  • Human Rights Advocate
  • Mental Health Clinician
  • Mental Health Social Worker
  • Policy Officer
  • Private Social Work Practitioner
  • Program Coordinator
  • Refugee Support Worker
  • Research Assistant
  • Research Officer
  • Researcher (Social Policy / Social Research)
  • School Social Worker
  • Social Policy Analyst
  • Social Worker
  • Victim Support Worker / Advocate
  • Youth Justice Worker
  • Youth Worker
See more

Accreditation & professional recognition

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) 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.

Graduates will also be required to meet AASW English language requirements for migration and/or employment purposes.

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.

Applicants must achieve the required score in a previous qualification, equivalent to completing at least 13 years of schooling in Australia.

  • Academic Entry Requirements

    To succeed in your chosen course, you should have completed relevant subjects in senior high school or other qualifications. For more information, refer to UOW's Entry Requirements page.

  • 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

     

    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))

    Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.


Compulsory Work Based Placement
This course requires completion of 500 hours of compulsory work-based placements in each of the final two years, for a total of 1000 hours over 104 weeks (10 hours per week). This course may also contain compulsory components to be completed online.

  • 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.

    For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

  • 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.

    UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

International Course fees table
Campus Delivery method Session fee* Course fee*
WollongongOn Campus$17112 (2026)$136896 (2026)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:

  • 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. 

    ApplicationDate
    Domestic (UAC Early Bird)30 September, 2025
    International9 December, 2025
    Domestic (direct)31 December, 2025
    Domestic (UAC final round)29 January, 2026

    Session Details
    For more detailed information like enrolment cutoffs and exam periods, see key dates. 

     Date
    OrientationCheck your campus details
    Session start2 March, 2026
    Census date31 March, 2026
    Mid-session recess20 - 24 April, 2026
    Session end25 June, 2026
  • Autumn Session, 2027 at UOW

    Application Deadline
    Applications must include all required documents to be considered complete. Applications submitted after the advertised closing date will still be accepted. We will endeavour to process late applications in time for the nominated session, however this cannot be guaranteed.

    ApplicationDate
    Domestic (UAC Early Bird)30 September, 2026
    InternationalSee International students page for key application cut-off dates
    Domestic (direct)31 December, 2026
    Domestic (UAC final round)28 January, 2027

    Session Details
    For more detailed information like enrolment cutoffs and exam periods, see key dates. 

     Date
    OrientationCheck your campus details
    Session start1 March, 2027
    Census date31 March, 2027
    Mid-session recess19 - 23 April, 2027
    Session end24 June, 2027
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