Master of Social Work (Qualifying)

What you will study

Students complete 96 credit points of units of study, comprising:

• 84 credit points of core units;
• a minimum of 6 credit points of capstone units in their final semester; and
• a maximum of 6 credit points of elective units.

Core units

• Re-Imagining Child and Family Social Work
• Social Work Theory and Practice
• Violence Against Women
• Practice Learning 1 (12 units)
• Diversity and Inclusivity in Ageing
• Practice Learning 2 (12 units)
• Practice with Indigenous Australians
• Human and Social Development
• Community and Environmental Change
• Social Research
• Social Policy Frameworks
• Critical Perspectives on Mental Health

Elective units

• Poverty and Social Exclusion
• Health and Inequality
• Critical Leadership and Society
• Dying, Death and Mourning
• Global Social Policy

Capstone units

• Integration of Learning
• Social Work Master's Dissertation (12 units)

Entry requirements

Qualifications

Admission to candidature for the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) requires:

• a relevant Australian bachelor's degree (Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate) or equivalent qualification; and
• evidence of the ability to meet the required prerequisite knowledge in relation to human development and of society; and
• evidence of relevant employment history in the human and community services industry (generally, evidence of at least 2 years is required).

In exceptional circumstances, the Dean may admit applicants without a bachelor's degree who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award. This may include evidence through publications or authorship of official documents.

English language requirements

You may need to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at the University of Sydney. Find out which requirements are applicable to you by contacting the university.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) responds to the key priority learning areas identified by the AASW accreditation process: child protection; cross-cultural practice; standards for practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities; and mental health.

Graduates are able to take leadership roles in the social work profession, the health and community services sector, and other fields of practice.

Fees and CSP

Average first-year fee in 2025: $9,314 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated full fee in 2025: Fee not indicated (domestic full-fee paying place)

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Elective units.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

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.
• Depending 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.