Bachelor of Social Work

Victoria University

About

If you’d like to help others resolve social problems, as well as further human rights, social justice and social development, then VU’s Bachelor of Social Work could be for you.

This course will give you in-depth understanding of:

interpersonal and group work community development policy analysis social research social action.

You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to develop the potential of individuals, groups and communities – and during your course, you’ll put these insights to use across two industry-based placements.

This training and expertise will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in a number of settings from federal and state government or hospitals to non-government or community organisations.

You’ll graduate as a professional social worker, equipped with the skills to truly change people’s lives for the better, and you will be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Social Work, students will be required to complete:

  • 384 credit points of Core studies.

Course structure and units

First Year

  • Introduction to Sociology Unit code ABA1003 Credits12
  • Aboriginal Traditions and Policy Unit code AEK1105 Credits12
  • Applied Human Rights Unit code ASA1024 Credits12
  • Working in Human Services Organisations Unit code ASW1000 Credits12
  • Introduction to Social Work Unit code ASW1001 Credits12
  • Foundations of Social Science Research Unit code ASX1003 Credits12
  • Introduction to Public Health and Wellness Unit code HHB1104 Credits12
  • Interpersonal Skills and Communication Unit code HHH1000 Credits12

Year 2

  • Groupwork Theory and Practice Unit code ASW2090 Credits12
  • Social Welfare: History and Current Context Unit code ASW2102 Credits12
  • Human Development in Social Context Unit code ASW2103 Credits12
  • Critical Social Work Theories Unit code ASW2104 Credits12
  • Social Work Theories Unit code ASW2202 Credits12
  • Social Work and Trauma Informed Care Unit code ASW3097 Credits12
  • Skills for Social Work Direct Practice Unit code ASW3101 Credits12
  • Social Work Practice: Legal Context Unit code ASW3103 Credits12

Year 3

  • Working Ethically in Aboriginal Community Unit code AEK3203 Credits12
  • Qualitative Social Research Methods 1 Unit code APS2030 Credits12
  • Introduction to Social Policy Unit code ASW2013 Credits12
  • Professional Practice Unit code ASW3002 Credits48
  • Working With Individuals and Families Unit code ASW3300 Credits12

Year 4

  • Understanding and Responding to Family Violence Unit code ASW3096 Credits12
  • Health and Mental Health: Practice and Policy Unit code ASW3104 Credits12
  • Advanced Professional Practice Unit code ASW4002 Credits48
  • Social Work Advocacy: Scope, Research and Design Unit code ASW4003 Credits12
  • Social Work Advocacy: Social Change in Action Unit code ASW4004 Credits12

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of two units of Higher Education studies. OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Human Services or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Additional information

A Clinical Placement fee applies in all situations where the student is enrolled in a unit with a clinical placement component and/or has been provided with a clinical placement opportunity and fails to meet minimum standards for external placement, this can include late cancellations, failure to attend, student and professional misconduct, failure to provide mandatory documentation, regardless if the student discontinues prior to the enrolled Census Date. For placement fee details relevant to your course refer to https://www.vu.edu.au/current-students/your-course/fees/additional-fees-...

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Demonstrate cultural humility, value diversity among peoples and engage in decolonising practices that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as Traditional Owners of Australian lands;  
  2. Articulate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary social work practice and its contribution to the creation and maintenance of a more just and equitable society which respects the inherent dignity, worth and autonomy of every person and community;  
  3. Appraise knowledge and understanding of social welfare and social policy in the Australian context emphasising origins, functions, ideological bases and power relations.;  
  4. Critique, synthesise and apply theories, knowledge and values of social work and related bodies of knowledge with a particular emphasis on critical social work and the goal of social change;  
  5. Apply social work knowledge, values, research and intervention skills to intervene and respond to the needs of diverse individuals, groups and communities;  
  6. Demonstrate ethical and critically reflective professional conduct using skills, knowledge, power, and professional authority in ways that serve humanity;  
  7. Demonstrate readiness for beginning social work practice and display collaborative and inclusive professional work and learning behaviours.  

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