Master of Social Work

Graduate Coursework

Course code: MC-SOCW

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Domestic students

International students

Duration

2 years full time / 4 years part time

Mode (Location)

On campus (Parkville)

Intake

February, August
Key dates

Fees

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available
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Entry schemes

Access Melbourne is available
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How to apply

Enquire

Entry requirements

Domestic student Change

You're considered a domestic student if you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or have a permanent humanitarian visa. This applies even if you're studying abroad or have dual Australian citizenship.

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must have:

An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) with at least one year of full-time studies in social sciences (or equivalent), with studies to have been completed within 10 years of commencing this course, OR
An older undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and more recent graduate study that demonstrates current capacity for graduate study.

You must also provide:

A current curriculum vitae (CV) that details your education, workplace experience, and other relevant skills and training, AND
Contact details for a professional referee
- Relevant work experience may be paid or unpaid, and may be full-time or part-time, but for part-time experience, at least 40 hours should normally have been obtained in a single three-month period.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:
IELTS
7.0
with writing 7.0; speaking 7.0; reading 7.0; listening 7.0
TOEFL
91
with writing 26; speaking 24; reading 22; listening 22
PEARSON
72
with writing 75; speaking 76; reading 72; listening 72
CAMBRIDGE
178
with writing 193; speaking 194; reading 179; listening 175
LANGUAGECERT ACADEMIC
73
with writing 78; speaking 82; reading 71; listening 67
MET
62
with writing 74; speaking 59; reading 63; listening 61
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.

About selection

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

Prior academic performance

The Selection Committee will also consider your work experience and other training as detailed in your CV.

Indigenous applicants (Domestic applicants only)

Applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent are given priority access to the Master of Social Work at the University of Melbourne.

All eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants must submit a Confirmation of Identity for verification.

Prospective Indigenous applicants are encouraged to contact the Indigenous Support Officer to receive advice and support in relation to the application and admission process.

Rural and Regional Background applicants (Domestic applicants only)

Domestic applicants with a rural or regional background have priority access to the Master of Social Work at the University of Melbourne. If you have resided, according to principal home address, for at least 5 years consecutively or 10 years cumulatively in a rural or regional area of Australia, please let us know in the application process.

Rural and regional background applicants are encouraged to:

Use the workforce location map to check their geographical classification according to the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Modified Monash Model (MMM). A rural/regional background is anywhere from MM2 to MM7.
Complete the relevant section under the Graduate Access Melbourne requirement in the application form including providing relevant supporting documentation.

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Inherent Requirements

This course has inherent requirements. Refer to the Master of Social Work Handbook for important information on these requirements.

Clinical placements

Clinical Placements are undertaken as part of this course. All students must undertake a Police Record Check, obtain a Working with Children Check and comply with immunisation requirements. Refer to the following pages for important information:

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

We encourage domestic students to explore eligibility for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). GAM offers an opportunity for admission to this course even if your tertiary marks are below the standard entry requirements. GAM applicants may also be considered for financial bursaries and Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) where available.

GAM categories include coming from a rural area, being an Indigenous Australian, experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulties, having refugee status, or living with a disability or medical condition. In assessing applications, we look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.

Need more information on the University’s general entry requirements?

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