Social Work

Why study with us

Studying the Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at UQ will provide you with the practical experience and knowledge you need to start a successful career in a rewarding industry. By the time you graduate you will have spent 1,000 hours on placement during your degree, gathering valuable skills and hands-on experience.

Highly regarded qualification

UQ’s Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) are highly regarded degrees in Australia and around the world. You will learn from leaders in the field who write social work textbooks used by universities across Australia. Our curriculum is founded on a wealth of experience and leading research, and has been well adapted for the industry and student's needs. Both programs are accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Field specialisation

We have the only programs that allow students to specialise in a key area of study by choosing a minor in Child, Youth and Family or Health and Ageing or Mental Health. Our minors are highly valued by industry. An indepth knowledge of a key field of practice will give you a significant edge over graduates from other programs and allow you to become a more effective practitioner.

Why Choose

Social work is an exciting and rewarding career for those interested in working with people, and in addressing social and community issues and problems.

Social workers play a key role in developing a society based on social justice, and in alleviating disadvantage. Social workers stimulate action to change the social circumstances of individuals and groups who are socially excluded. They also work to reduce personal pain and distress, and provide direction for individual development and control over life situations.

Diverse and in-demand career

Careers in social work are diverse, challenging, engaging, inspiring, collaborative and fulfilling. Social workers work in many different circumstances with individuals, groups and communities.

Employment outcomes within this sector are very favourable. According to the Australian Government Job Outlook information, job prospects for social workers are currently good and better still, future job growth to 2015-17 is expected to be strong.

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

What our graduates are doing

Social Work was a perfect fit for me as I have always been interested in people and I have always had a passion to help those less fortunate than myself.
UQ's Bachelor of Social Work offers great opportunities and I was nominated by my lecturers to take part in the HealthFusion Team Challenge. The HealthFusion Team Challenge provided me with the opportunity to experience what it would be like to work in a crisis, and to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team. I also really enjoyed the field placements as they were a perfect way for me to transfer my learnings into practice.
The University of Queensland is a fantastic place to study Social Work. I love the grounds, the students, the helpful teaching staff and the extra opportunities available.

Social Work graduate, Courtney Scott-Hunter