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Bachelor of Social Practice

  • Bachelor

Want to work with your community and make a difference in people's lives? Our undergraduate social work qualification lets you draw on your life and work experiences, and provides you with the skills and knowledge to work in the social work and community development sectors.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
Domestic Fees
$6,300 per year
International Fees
$24,730 per year

About this course

Are you after a career where you can help individuals, whanau, groups, and communities enhance their individual and collective wellbeing? Are you passionate about empowering people around you and creating social change? Our Bachelor of Social Practice will prepare you for employment and registration in social work and community development with basic skills in counselling.

This programme comprehensively trains students to be social practitioners who are able to apply their skills to the ever-changing demands of employers, clients, and the community. Tailor the Bachelor of Social Practice to suit your career path in either social work or community development. This will allow you to develop and practice the skills you need to be work-ready when you graduate.

You'll develop the ability to practice social work and community development with culturally diverse groups in an appropriate and inclusive manner. You'll also develop a sound understanding of, and ability to promote, human rights, social justice and change, as well as empowerment and liberation of different groups and communities by promoting civil and legal rights.

Highlights
  • Leads to industry recognition: once you've completed this programme you are eligible to apply for registration with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB)
  • A professional qualification which prepares you for a career in a wide range of social, community, mental health, and education services
  • A critical focus on inequality and social justice, and the development of your abilities to work ethically and professionally, supporting the wellbeing of people and communities
  • Emphasis on the practical application of theory: in years three and four, you will apply what you've learnt during work placements in social work or community development organisations
  • Flexibility: elective courses enable you to plan a programme of study which builds on your interests and personal experience, or help you move towards postgraduate study
Postgraduate study

At Unitec, we value your experience and are interested in helping you develop your practice and profession. If you are a practitioner who is interested in undertaking a work-based project and/or research, our Master of Applied Practice (Social Practice) may be just what you're looking for.

Please note: This programme is designed for practitioners in work as we do not provide work placements. If you choose to study full-time, your study will likely relate to your current practice. You will have an opportunity to discuss this during the application process.

Scholarship

We have up to 3 Bachelor of Social Practice scholarships available, worth $2,000 each. Find out more information below!

Bachelor of Social Practice scholarships

Contact us

If you feel the Master of Applied Practice could suit you and/or if you have further questions about this programme, please contact:

Geoff Bridgman
gbridgman@unitec.ac.nz
(09) 815 4321 ext. 7464

Currently enrolled in our three-year Bachelor of Social Practice programme? Don't worry, you can still view your course details here.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

Please note: Future immunisations for COVID-19 may be required for all students in this programme.

For this programme you will need the following:

  1. 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher including:
    • 14 credits in two different approved subjects, and;
    • 14 credits from up to two subjects (approved or non-approved);
  2. 8 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori (4 in reading, 4 in writing);
  3. 14 credits in NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau;
  4. Consent to a Safety Check which meets the requirements of the Children Act 2014 (formerly known as the Vulnerable Children's Act) including:
    • Provide two forms of verified ID and evidence of any name changes;
    • Consent to a police vet check;
    • Complete a self-declaration of medical conditions form.

If you don't meet the academic criteria above, we have a range of Foundation and Bridging Education programmes which will help you prepare for further academic study.

Once you've applied online, you'll be invited to attend a Selection Day where we'll take you through the rest of the application process.

English requirements

If English is not your first language you will also need one or more of the following:

  • NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance;
  • Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency;
  • Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years.

If you don't meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.

If you don't meet these requirements, you may still apply under special or discretionary entrance.

For more information download the programme regulations:

Programme Regulations

Study locations

Waitakere

Career pathways

- Social worker - Childcare and protection social worker - Social worker in schools - Health/mental health social worker - Community developer - Family/Whanau worker - Social practitioner