About the programme
The Bachelor of Social Work is an NZQF Level 7 programme at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) that develops the core professional competencies needed to enter social work. It carries 480 credits and takes 4 years of full-time study; part-time students have up to 8 years to finish.
Graduates are eligible for provisional registration as beginning practitioners. That is the first step towards full registration as a social worker, which follows after two years of supervised practice.
Field education is a major part of the degree, combining voluntary work with supervised placements in social service agencies. Coursework covers society, human development and psychology, social policy and social research, and practice with groups, communities, individuals and whānau. Later courses address rural social work, work with children and youth, family violence and specialist fields, while Te Pū, Te Weu and Te More bring in the Māori context of practice.
The year has two 17-week semesters, each with a two-week mid-semester break, and some courses run at summer school. A typical week involves about 12 hours of tuition and 25 hours of independent study. New students attend an orientation at the start of the semester, and years two and three include a Noho Marae stay. The programme is taught in Nelson.
Entry requirements
- University Entrance via NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at Level 3 and 20 at Level 2, including 14 credits in each of three approved subjects plus literacy and numeracy), an NCEA Level 3 equivalent such as IB or Cambridge, or a relevant Level 4 qualification.
- Alternative entry for applicants who can show relevant skills from study, work or life experience.
- If your primary language is not English, Māori or NZ Sign Language: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.5, or TOEFL iBT 85 or higher with a writing score of 22, in one sitting within the previous 2 years.
- You must meet the SWRB Fit and Proper criteria, declare any convictions and complete police vetting; some convictions can prevent placements or registration.
- Safety checks under the Vulnerable Children's Act, including a formal interview, referee checks, police vetting and a risk assessment, plus a selection interview (hui) and an application questionnaire.
What you study
- Introduction to Social Work Practice
- Human Development and Psychology
- Applied Social Policy
- Introduction to Social Research and Applied Social Research
- Applied Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities
- Applied Social Work Practice with Individuals, Family and Whānau
- Advanced Social Policy and Community Development
- Rural Social Work
- Social Work Practice with Children and Youth
- Integrated Professional Practice
Careers after graduation
- Social worker in statutory organisations such as child protection and justice
- Health settings: tertiary, primary and community
- Not-for-profit social service agencies
- Student advocacy, elderly care or work on the marae
- Supporting refugee families, court work and community roles
Post-study work visa
Equal to the length of the programme, 3 years maximum
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 19/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the NMIT website