Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer

You're viewing this site as a domestic an international student

You're a domestic student if you are:

  • a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
  • an Australian permanent resident, or
  • a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

You're an international student if you are:

  • intending to study on a student visa,
  • not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
  • not an Australian permanent resident, or
  • a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia.
You're viewing this site as a domestic an international student
Change

 

Call us

We have the answers to your postgraduate questions.

 

 Send an enquiry

Email us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Enquire now

 

Find an agent

Find a UQ agent near you.

 

How to apply How to apply

 

How to apply

It’s easy, but there are a few things to consider.

Learn how to apply

Ready to apply?

Start today. Save for later if you need to.

Start application

 

Call us

We have the answers to your postgraduate questions.

 

 Send an enquiry

Email us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Enquire now

 

Find an agent

Find a UQ agent near you.

 

How to apply How to apply

 

How to apply

It’s easy, but there are a few things to consider.

Learn how to apply

Ready to apply?

Start today. Save for later if you need to.

Start application

Composite image of man with visible metal skeleton

Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

Overview

Turn your passion for helping people and addressing social and community issues into a rewarding career with accredited qualifications in social work.

As a social worker, you'll play a key role in developing a society based on social justice and in alleviating disadvantage. Social workers stimulate action to change the social circumstances of individuals and groups who are socially excluded. They also work to reduce personal pain and distress and provide direction for individual development and control over life situations.

The 2 year full-time program is particularly suited for new graduates looking for a clearly defined career path as a social worker, or people working in human services wanting to upgrade their skills to become a qualified social worker.

As part of the core courses, you’ll complete professional practice courses in health and ageing; child, youth and family; and mental health. You'll undertake 1,000 hours of supervised practical placements in a variety of organisations including not-for-profit, community service organisations and private practice.

This program is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and will enable you to qualify as a social worker and become a member of the AASW.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
2 Years (or part time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025)
QTAC Code
734002
Program Code
5767
AQF
Level 9
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$43200
Duration
2 Years
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025)
Semester dates for 2026 are yet to be confirmed
QTAC Code
734002
Program Code
5767
CRICOS Code
063939E
AQF
Level 9

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Learn from award-winning educators and leaders in teaching and research.
  • Benefit from a program created in consultation with professionals in the field.
  • Develop your skills and experience through supervised practical placements in organisations including not-for-profits, community service organisations and private practices.
  • Launch your career in social work or upgrade your existing experience in human services to become a qualified social worker, accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

33 in the world for psychology

QS World University Rankings 2024

44 in the world for sociology

QS World University Rankings 2024

Watch Master of Social Work Studies graduate Fatou shares her experience on rural placement on YouTube.

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Work placements
  • Online study
  • Fieldwork

Placements and work experience

Students will undertake approximately 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in a range of clinical settings that includes hospitals and a variety of public and private agencies. During their placements, students will have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework to practice and develop their clinical skills in real life setting. Although this program is offered on a part time basis, students will be required to attend clinical placements on a full time basis. Students may be required to undertake clinical placements outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area and students are required to fund their travel, accommodation and daily living expenses. Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet the placement requirements.

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

  • Lifespan, Culture and Disability
  • Introduction to Key Elements of Social Work
  • Direct Practice 1
  • The Legal and Policy Context for Social Work Practice

Career possibilities

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Social worker (child protection)
  • Social worker (community development)
  • Social worker (correctional services)
  • Social worker (disability services)
  • Social worker (drug and alcohol services)
  • Social worker (health services)
  • Social worker (migrant and refugee services)
  • Social worker (private practice)
  • Social worker (youth work and youth justice)

Professional memberships

When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.

  • Australian Association of Social Workers

Program accreditation

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is accredited by:

  • Australian Association Of Social Workers

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

  • A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), with one year full-time equivalent study in social and behavioural sciences.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Entry is competitive with a limited intake capacity.
  • A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), with one year full-time equivalent study in social and behavioural sciences.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Entry is competitive with a limited intake capacity.

Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications

Relevant disciplines include anthropology, community development, counselling, criminology, human services, Indigenous studies, international relations, political science, psychological sciences, psychology, sociology.


English language requirements

IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.

PTE Academic - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 72.

CES - Overall 185, All sub bands minimum 185.

BE and OET are not accepted.

 

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Inherent requirements

To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.

Learn about inherent requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Need help meeting the entry requirements?

We can help you meet the academic or English language requirements for your preferred program.

If you haven’t completed the prerequisites, we can help.

Learn about pathway options

Additional application information

Although this program is offered on a part time basis, students will be required to attend clinical placements on a full time basis. Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website. For applicants who need to provide evidence of English proficiency, please note that this program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the UQ minimum.

Additional application information

Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website. For applicants who need to provide evidence of English proficiency, please note that this program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the UQ minimum.

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$8,950

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

$8,950

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $43,200

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

AUD $43,200

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Government assistance

Financial aid

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

HECS-HELP

Domestic places in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Important dates

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

Explore other programs

Counselling

Master of Counselling

St Lucia
2 Years full-time2 Years full-time
(or part time equivalent)
Clinical Psychology

Master of Clinical Psychology

St Lucia
2 Years full-time2 Years full-time
(or part time equivalent)
Organisational Psychology

Master of Organisational Psychology

St Lucia
2 Years full-time2 Years full-time
(or part time equivalent)
Economics

Master of Economics

St Lucia
Multiple durations availableMultiple durations available

Express yourself. And your interest.

They say choosing a degree is hard, which is why we've made it easy. Register your interest and we'll send you everything you need to know about applying to UQ.

Sign up for updates

Select your country and then enter your mobile phone number.

We will use your information to keep you informed about UQ programs, news, events and scholarships. By submitting this form, you consent to the terms of UQ's Marketing consent and privacy notice.