Skip to main content

Bachelor of Social Work

Course resolutions

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1  Course codes

Code Course title
BUSOCWRK-01 Bachelor of Social Work

2  Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern in Years 1 and 2 is full time or part time according to candidate choice, but in Years 3 and 4 is full time only.

3  Admission to candidature

Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. Details of admission policies are found in the Coursework Rule.

4  Requirements for award

(1)  The units of study that may be taken for the degree are set out in:

(a) the Sydney School of Education and Social Work Table of Bachelor of Social Work units of study; and
(b) Table A for the Bachelor of Arts.
(c) Table S of the Shared Pool for Undergraduate Degrees.

(2)  To qualify for the award of the pass degree, a candidate must complete 192 credit points, comprising:

(a) Year 1

(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level Sociology core units of study from the Bachelor of Social Work Table; and
(ii) 12 credit points of 1000-level Social Work core units of study from the Bachelor of Social Work Table; and
(iii) 24 credit points of 1000-level units of study, or for non-beginner language students equivalent first year units according to the requirements, as set out in Table A or Table S.

(b) Year 2

(i) 36 credit points of Sociology and Social Work core units of study from the Bachelor of Social Work Table and;
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level or 3000-level units of study chosen from Table A or Table S.

(c) Year 3

(i) 48 credit points of Social Work core units of study from the Bachelor of Social Work Table.

(d) Year 4

(i) 48 credit points of Social Work core units of study from the Bachelor of Social Work Table.

5  Progression rules

Except with the permission of the Dean, a candidate must complete all unit of study requirements specified for each year, including Field Education units, before proceeding to the next year.

6  Requirements for the Honours degree

(1)  Honours is available to meritorious students who complete an alternative set of units of study in Semester 2 of Third Year and Semester 2 of Fourth Year.

(2)  Admission to the honours program is by permission of the honours coordinator after the completion of Semester 1 in Third Year. Admission requires a WAM of at least 70 across 24 credit points of core units of study in Year 2 and 24 credit points in Semester 1 of Year 3. Candidates entering the Bachelor of Social Work course in the Third Year under accelerated entry provisions are required to have a WAM of at least 70 in the 24 credit points completed in Semester 1 of Year 3 in order to be admitted to the Honours program.

(3)  To qualify for the award of the honours degree a candidate must complete the requirements for the pass degree but include the alternative 12 credit-point honours pathway set out in the Bachelor of Social Work Table of units of study. Completion of the degree is required in the minimum standard full-time duration. The grade of honours will be determined by the Honours Weighted Average Mark (HWAM).

7  Award of the degree

(1)  The Bachelor of Social Work is awarded at either Pass or Honours level. The honours degree is awarded in classes ranging from First Class toThird Class, according to the rules specified in the Coursework Policy 2021 and Resolutions of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

(2)  Candidates for the award of the Honours degree who do not meet the requirements, but who have otherwise satisfied the course requirements, will be awarded the pass degree.

8  Transitional provisions

(1)  These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2024.

(2)  Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2024 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.