Queensland University of Technology
Master of Social Work - Qualifying
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Develop expertise in casework, assessment and intervention and graduate with an internationally recognised qualification in social work.
Course overview
The Master of Social Work provides graduates with an internationally recognised qualification in social work and is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
During the course, students will develop knowledge and expertise in:
- Casework and case management practice
- Assessment and intervention
- Political economy and policy making
- Ethical and legal contexts of practice
- Theoretical and practical framework that incorporates child wellbeing and mental health contexts
Students also complete 1,000 hours of supervised field placements.
Students are required to attend compulsory on-campus sessions each semester, including sessions during Orientation Week. All commencing students must ensure they are available to attend.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Master of Social Work - Qualifying, students must complete 12 units or 192 credit points. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth 12 credit points.
Core units
- Introduction to Social Work Practice and Contexts
- Communication and Engagement in Professional Contexts
- Health, Wellbeing and the Human Condition
- Theories and Frameworks for Social Work Practice
- Critical and Ethical Practice in Organisations
- Community and Policy Practice
- Research for Social Change
- Social Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities
- Child, Youth and Family Practice
- Practice Research Project
- Professional Practice 1 (36 credit points)
- Professional Practice 2 (36 credit points)
Entry requirements
You must have a completed recognised bachelor degree and have passed one year (8 units) of full-time studies in social sciences such as:
- Studies in society
- Human development
- Education
- Human services
- Law
- Media and communication
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Urban and regional planning
This course is not designed for students who already have a bachelor degree in social work.
English language requirements
The university requires students to demonstrate they can speak, write, read and comprehend academic English to a specified standard.
The English proficiency requirements for this course are:
- IELTS (Academic): 7.0 or better overall with no subscore below 7.0
- PTE: 65 or better overall with no subscore below 65
- TOEFL (IBT): 98 or better overall with listening and reading subscores of 24 or better, a writing subscore of 27 or better and a speaking subscore of 23 or better
- Cambridge English Score: 185 or better overall with no subscore below 185
The test must have been completed within two years prior to the proposed course start month.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to have your past studies or work experience count as credit towards your QUT course. QUT call this 'advanced standing'. That means you might not have to complete all the units in your course structure. You may be able to graduate sooner. Exemptions are assessed individually talk to QUT's course consultant for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
This course is designed for graduates from other disciplines seeking a qualification in social work. It is not suitable for qualified social workers seeking additional postgraduate study. It is designed to deliver graduates who can work in a variety of government, non-government and not-for-profit sectors, either in direct support or outreach services, community development or policy and social advocacy positions.
Fees and CSP
Indicative 2026 fee: $9,500 per year full-time for 96 credit points (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. QUT reviews fees annually. They may be subject to increases.
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
