Bachelor of Social Work

Entry to the Bachelor of Social Work

First year – general entry requirements

If you have done no prior tertiary study, you will initially enrol in the Social Work Pre-Professional programme for your first and second years of study. The Social Work Pre-Professional programme is subject to the same general entry requirements as general bachelor’s degrees at Otago.

Third year – selection by committee

Admission to the third year of the Bachelor of Social Work degree is based on your academic record (either in the Social Work Pre-professional programme or other prior tertiary study) and personal suitability. You will need to provide referees’ reports and consent to a Children’s Act safety check.

For detailed information, please refer to:

• Undergraduate study in Social Work

General entry requirements

A university entrance qualification is essential for admission to the University of Otago for all types of programmes. You must also be at least 16 years of age by the first day of classes in your period of study and meet English language requirements.

Domestic students

You need to have met the New Zealand University Entrance standard, based on your achievement in secondary school or other prior study. Learn about the different categories for achieving University Entrance and what information you may need to provide with your application.

• University Entrance

International students

Check recognised entry qualifications by country, and find out what documents you need to provide for a successful application.

• International university entry requirements
• Documents required

English language requirements

First year

All students must be proficient in the use of English. If your first language is not English, there are several ways you may provide evidence of English proficiency, including through prior secondary or tertiary study, internationally recognised English language tests, and foundation language programmes.

The level of English proficiency required for undergraduate study is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no individual band below 5.5.

For details about what is accepted as evidence of English proficiency, please refer to:

• English language requirements and evidence categories

Third year

Students who do not have English, Māori or New Zealand sign language as their primary language must demonstrate either:

• an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7.0 in the academic band (with no band score lower than 7.0), or
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-based test (iBT) score of 95 or higher with a writing score of 22.

These tests must have been completed in one sitting within the previous two years, and evidence must be provided by way of certified results.