Duration
Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2026 Semester One – 2 March
Available locations
City
Points
240
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught options available

Programme overview

Build on your existing qualification and prepare for a professional social work career. This programme is designed for graduates from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about human well-being, social justice and social change. You will develop advanced knowledge and skills for bicultural social work practice, partnership, and forward-looking social sector leadership, across a range of settings and systems.

This hands-on programme qualifies graduates to register and practise as a social worker as it meets the requirements of the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Act 2003, plus international professional requirements. It also provides a potential pathway to doctoral study.

Want more info?
Watch Dr Ian Hyslop and Lecturer Kendra Cox discuss the Master of Social Work Professional in this video.

Programme structure

The two-year programme includes lectures, discussion, student presentations, skills laboratories, group work, individual research and investigation, practicum placements and self-directed study.

The strong practical focus to this programme will enable you to participate in 120 days of supervised practicum work in the community.

See the courses available for this programme.

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

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Part 1 120 points

  • Code:
    SOCWORK 721 A/B
    Name:
    Theories and Skills in Social Work Practice
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    SOCWORK 722
    Name:
    Developing Social Work Professional Identity
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    SOCWORK 723
    Name:
    Social Work in the New Zealand Context
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    SOCWORK 724
    Name:
    Applied Social Work Research Methods
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    SOCWORK 725
    Name:
    Supervised Field Placement I
    Type:
    Practicum
    Points:
    30 pts

Part 2 120 points

  • Code:
    SOCWORK 712
    Name:
    Social Work in Statutory Settings
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    SOCWORK 713
    Name:
    The Social Work Discourse
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    SOCWORK 734 A/B
    Name:
    Professional Social Work Research in Practice
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    SOCWORK 735
    Name:
    Supervised Field Placement II
    Type:
    Practicum
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    SOCHLTH 732
    Name:
    Working with Grief and Loss
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    SOCHLTH 736
    Name:
    Health, Social Justice and Practice
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

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.

  • Study option
    Taught 240 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0
    • A bachelors degree.  

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Taught 240 points

You must have completed a bachelors degree in a relevant subject. Relevant subjects may include anthropology, education, gender studies, history, politics, public policy, international relations, human geography, law, community development, planning, Māori studies, Pacific studies, nursing, population health, health sciences, psychology or sociology. Students with Science, Communications, Arts degrees (including English) or Creative Arts degrees may be eligible depending upon their degree programme and other relevant experience.

You will need a GPA of 5.0 or higher in at least 60 points in Stage II.

Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports.

Other pathways to study

If you have not met the requirement you can still gain entry if you have attained an equivalent and relevant, practical, professional or scholarly experience.

Programme requirements

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.

  • Study option
    Taught 240 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree.

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

    No bands less than 6.0.

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Taught 240 points

You must have completed a bachelors degree in a relevant subject. Relevant subjects may include anthropology, education, gender studies, history, politics, public policy, international relations, human geography, law, community development, planning, Māori studies, Pacific studies, nursing, population health, health sciences, psychology or sociology. Students with Science, Communications, Arts degrees (including English) or Creative Arts degrees may be eligible depending upon their degree programme and other relevant experience.

You will need a GPA of 5.0 or higher in at least 60 points in above Stage II.

Entrance is subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, interview and referees’ reports.

Other pathways to study

If you have not met the requirement you can still gain entry if you have attained an equivalent and relevant, practical, professional or scholarly experience.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Social Work (Professional) cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$8,860.80*
International students
NZ$41,594*

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. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $9.24 per point, estimated at $1,108.80 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

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.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

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.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025
8 December 2024

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

Year 1 students' practicum
Monday 25 August - Monday 3 November 2025 (Monday to Friday)

Year 2 students' practicum
Monday 28 April - Monday 20 October 2025 (3 days per week)

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

View our study pathways guide to help you decide whether this programme is right for you. 

If you need any help, you can reach out to our Postgraduate Taught Recruitment Specialist: pgt@auckland.ac.nz

Student Hubs

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The Student Hubs are your physical gateway to Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland.

The Student Hubs services are available seven days a week at the City and Grafton campuses with friendly staff available to provide you with advice on any aspect of your studies and life at the University.

Find out more.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

This programme is designed to lead you into a career as a registered social worker. For those who already have work experience in the field and a related undergraduate degree, but do not hold a formal social work qualification, this is an effective pathway to increase your salary and career opportunities.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Social worker
  • Case worker for Child Youth and Family
  • Youth worker
  • Community development officer
  • Probation officer
  • Policy adviser
  • Social worker for a District Health Board
Postgraduate social work student: Leena Taing

Leena Taing - Social Worker

“The best part of the MSWP for me is that it offers personal development as much as it offers professional development. The way that I saw the world was constantly challenged and I found myself questioning the worldviews I had prior to studying this programme."

Read Leena's story

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