Bachelor of Social Work

Entry Requirements

Flinders University recognises international secondary schooling for direct entry to undergraduate programs.

English language requirements

• IELTS (Academic): 7.0 Overall with 7.0 Speaking, 7.0 Writing, 7.0 Reading, 7.0 Listening;
• TOEFL iBT: 94 Overall with 23 Speaking, 27 Writing, 24 Reading, 24 Listening;
• Pearson PTE Academic: 65 Overall with 65 Speaking, 65 Writing, 65 Reading, 65 Listening;
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: 185 Overall with 185 Speaking, 185 Writing, 185 Reading, 185 Listening;
• Occupational English Test (OET): 350 Speaking, 350 Writing, 350 Reading, 350 Listening

• Duolingo: Not accepted

Course Details

Get equipped with the practical skills and knowledge you need to work in a wide range of health and social welfare settings. The degree combines traditional social work skills with the broader issues of social policy and planning. You’ll develop expertise in the delivery of social services, and in development and monitoring of programs appropriate to current social conditions.

What you will study

First year

A typical first year may include:

• core topics in introductory democracy and government, reasons for social work, mental health and public participation, introductory Aboriginal studies, social planning theory, critical thinking and communication, and practice with individuals
• a topic in issues in sociology or sociology of everyday life.

Second year

A typical second year may include:

• core topics in human social development, community development, social policy practice, cities as human environments, social work with groups, social work with diverse populations, and social work and reflective practice
• a topic in Australian Indigenous politics or Indigenous women’s voices: race, gender and colonialism.

Third year

A typical third year may include:

• core topics in the wellbeing and protection of children and families; practice research; loss and grief in social work practice; understanding addictions; and identity, self and agency
• an intensive field placement.

Honours year

A typical honours year may include:

• core topics in human-rights-based social work practice, ethical issues and critical reflexivity, mental health across the life course, and complexities of contemporary social work practice
• an intensive field placement
• a choice of option topics.

A typical honours year includes a social work honours thesis, topics in research principles and practices and human-rights-based social work practice, and an intensive field placement.

Your career

The Bachelor of Social Work equips you to work in a wide range of areas related to the provision of welfare services. Social workers may work for government and non-government sectors in largely project and policy-based positions.

Potential occupations include:

• social worker
• advocate
• assessment officer
• child protection practitioner
• drug and alcohol counsellor.

Potential employers include:

• government departments
• hospitals
• health and community centres
• correctional services
• welfare agencies