Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Make a difference by helping others thrive.

Life in today's world brings harsh challenges.

Poverty, addiction, mental illness, domestic violence and personal crisis can severely impact a person's ability to feel safe, find a stable home and pursue opportunities.

As a social worker, you'll provide support and assistance to people and families in need.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) gives you the clinical knowledge and hands-on skills to launch your career.

You'll learn from world-renowned academics about promoting human rights and the importance of social justice.

Our diverse range of subjects provide foundations in both psychology and sociology.

Two 14-week placements enable you to put your knowledge and skills into practice and gain professional experience within leading health and welfare organisations in Victoria.

You'll learn:

Sociology and society Discover the cultural changes that shaped Australian society and how individuals connect with each other.

Foundations of psychological science Gain the clinical knowledge and skills used to examine human behaviour and treat mental illness.

Human services Explore the values, ethics and practice of social work and human services.

Social work and inequality Study the issues of inequality and their impact on people's wellbeing.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last two years)

Prerequisite

VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Admission criteria

ATAR (Compulsory)

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

*N/A: Students not accepted in this category, NC: New course, N/P: Not published (includes categories with less than five students). Learn more about our processes

Personal Statement

Applicants who wish other information to be considered during the selection process can complete and submit a Personal Statement. This information may include work and volunteer experience, relevant life experience, reason for applying or anything else relevant to the course. Applicants with relevant work experience, may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) (Current year 12 students exempt)

La Trobe will consider STAT Multiple Choice results for applicants who have not completed Year 12, VET or Higher Education qualifications or whose studies do not satisfy course prerequisites. Further information will be available on the course webpage from Monday 3 August 2020.

Work Recognition (Current year 12 students exempt)

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Selection rank adjustments

Subject adjustments

VCE: A study score of 25 in any Humanities, any Mathematics, Physical Education or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points

Special Access Schemes

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes

Applicants with higher education study

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Admission criteria

Entire Academic Record (Compulsory)

This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

La Trobe will consider STAT Multiple Choice results for applicants who have not completed Year 12, VET or Higher Education qualifications or whose studies do not satisfy course prerequisites. Further information will be available on the course webpage from Monday 3 August 2020.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Personal Statement

Applicants who wish other information to be considered during the selection process can complete and submit a Personal Statement. This information may include work and volunteer experience, relevant life experience, reason for applying or anything else relevant to the course. Applicants with relevant work experience, may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process. All Non-Year 12 applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the personal statement.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Special Access Schemes

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Admission criteria

Entire Academic Record (Compulsory)

This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

La Trobe will consider STAT Multiple Choice results for applicants who have not completed Year 12, VET or Higher Education qualifications or whose studies do not satisfy course prerequisites. Further information will be available on the course webpage from Monday 3 August 2020.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Personal Statement

Applicants who wish other information to be considered during the selection process can complete and submit a Personal Statement. This information may include work and volunteer experience, relevant life experience, reason for applying or anything else relevant to the course. Applicants with relevant work experience, may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process. All Non-Year 12 applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the personal statement.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Special Access Schemes

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes

Applicants with work and life experience

Prerequisite

Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.

Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

Admission criteria

Entire Academic Record (Compulsory)

This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

La Trobe will consider STAT Multiple Choice results for applicants who have not completed Year 12, VET or Higher Education qualifications or whose studies do not satisfy course prerequisites. Further information will be available on the course webpage from Monday 3 August 2020.

Work Recognition

Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.

Personal Statement

Applicants who wish other information to be considered during the selection process can complete and submit a Personal Statement. This information may include work and volunteer experience, relevant life experience, reason for applying or anything else relevant to the course. Applicants with relevant work experience, may be eligible for extra consideration during the selection process. All Non-Year 12 applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the personal statement.

English Language Test Selection

Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.

Selection rank adjustments

Subject adjustments

VCE: A study score of 25 in any Humanities, any Mathematics, Physical Education or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points

Special Access Schemes

For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes