What kind of student am I?
Social Work, in the Melbourne School of Health Sciences, offers degrees to students seeking their first social work qualification, and to qualified social workers seeking advanced practice qualifications. We also offer research opportunities for qualified social workers and other allied health workers.
Whether you have no prior social work qualifications or if you are a qualified social worker or allied health professional seeking further qualifications, it is helpful first to identify your current qualifications so that you can choose the best degree for you.
I am a school leaver
If your highest qualification is the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Higher School Certificate (HSC), or equivalent, and you are interested in a social work career, you have a number of options to consider.
To study social work at the University of Melbourne, you will need a prior bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.
The University of Melbourne offers a range of bachelor degrees that prepare you for your graduate social work studies. Once you have completed your bachelor degree you can apply to study the Master of Social Work (MSW) to gain your graduate social work qualification for practice as a social worker.
We encourage you to read more about the University's undergraduate degrees and the MSW to see the benefits that the Melbourne Model offers you.
I am a graduate with a degree in a discipline other than social work
If you have completed a bachelor degree in any discipline, you can apply for the Master of Social Work. The Master of Social Work prepares you to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as a qualified social worker.
Applications will be considered for the Master of Social Work from graduates of the University of Melbourne and other universities, including international universities.
If you have an honours or masters degree in a health-related discipline and are interested in a research career, you may be interested in our Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or PhD programs.
I am a qualified social worker in Australia
If you are already a qualified social worker in Australia with some post-qualifying work experience, you may wish to consider advanced practice or research training. Eligibility for these degrees may depend on whether you have completed a Bachelor of Social Work or if you have trained in the workplace.
If you have a Bachelor of Social Work (or equivalent), you may be eligible to apply for the Master of Advanced Social Work (Research).
If you are a workplace-trained social worker with a three-year Bachelor degree in another discipline which includes subjects in social sciences, you may be eligible to apply for the Master of Social Work.
If you have an honours or masters degree in a health-related field, you may be eligible to apply for the Master of Philosophy or PhD programs.
I am a qualified social worker in a country other than Australia
If you are a social worker in another country, the course that is best for you may depend on whether your social work qualification is recognised as equivalent to Australian social work qualifications.
Please contact the Australian Association of Social Workers for details of recognition of overseas qualifications.
If your social work qualification is recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers and you are allowed to practice in Victoria, Australia, you may wish to consider applying for the Master of Advanced Social Work (Research).
If your academic qualifications are recognised and you have an interest in research, you may also be interest to read about our Graduate research programs.
If your qualification is not recognised, please contact us to discuss your options.
I am a mature person with no formal qualifications
If you are interested in a social work career but do not meet the academic requirements for the Master of Social Work, you may be eligible for Non-school leaver entry to one of the University of Melbourne's bachelor degrees. Once you have completed one of these degrees, or completed a recognised bachelor degree from another university, you can apply to study the Master of Social Work to gain your social work qualification.
I am a social worker or health care worker interested in research
Please see the Graduate research pages for information on our our Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and PhD programs.
We strongly encourage you to discuss your research aspirations and other entry requirements with our Research Higher Degrees Officer, Ms Corliss Chan.
Further information
If none of the above apply to you, please contact us and we will guide you in choosing the right course for you.