The Bachelor of Social Work at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) is a Level 7 professional degree designed for students who want to enter the social work profession in Aotearoa New Zealand. The programme combines academic study with substantial supervised field experience, allowing students to develop practical social work skills and professional attributes.

Key benefits include:

• Professional preparation for social work practice.
• Significant field-placement experience in social service agencies.
• Development of skills for working with individuals, families, whanau, groups and communities.
• Study of social policy, social research, human development, psychology and professional practice.
• Preparation for provisional registration as a beginning practitioner.
• Development of skills relevant to increasingly complex and interdisciplinary social-service and health environments.
• Opportunities to work in statutory, health and not-for-profit social-service organisations after graduation.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme covers social sciences, social-work theory and practice, professional practice, policy, research and specialist practice.

Core courses listed by NMIT include:

Year 1 / introductory study:

• Introduction to Society – BSK501
• Introduction to Social Work Practice – BSK502
• Human Development and Psychology – BSK503
• Introduction to Professional Practice – BSK504
• Te P – BSK505

Year 2 / applied study:

• Applied Social Policy – BSK601
• Introduction to Social Research – BSK602
• Applied Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities – BSK603
• Applied Social Work Practice with Individuals, Family and Whanau – BSK604
• Applied Professional Practice – BSK605
• Te Weu – BSK606

Advanced study:

• Applied Social Research – BSK701
• Advanced Social Work Practice – BSK702
• Advanced Professional Practice – BSK703
• Te More – BSK704
• Advanced Social Policy and Community Development – BSK705
• Integrated Professional Practice – BSK706

Elective options listed by NMIT include:

• Rural Social Work – BSK708
• Social Work Practice with Children and Youth – BSK709
• Social Work and Whanau and/or Family Based Violence – BSK710
• Specialist Social Work Practice Directed Study – BSK711
• Social Work Practice in Specialist Fields – BSK716 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is centred on professional social work rather than separate named majors.

Areas covered include:

• Social work practice
• Social policy
• Social research
• Human development and psychology
• Professional practice
• Community development
• Rural social work
• Children and youth
• Whanau and family
• Specialist social-work fields

Programme Highlights

• Level 7 professional bachelor's degree.
• 480 credits.
• Four years full-time.
• Part-time study available.
• Nelson campus.
• February intake.
• Significant supervised field-placement component.
• Strong emphasis on professional practice.
• Study includes social policy, social research, psychology, human development and community development.
• Provisional registration as a beginning practitioner can be achieved after completing the qualification, representing the first step toward full registration after the required supervised practice. 

Career Outcomes

NMIT states that graduates can work in social-work positions across:

• Statutory organisations, including areas such as justice and child, youth and family services.
• Health organisations, including tertiary, primary and community health.
• Not-for-profit social-service agencies.
• Student advocacy.
• Elderly care.
• Marae-based services.
• Refugee and family support.
• Court-related services.
• Community services. 

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest NMIT programme page currently lists a 15 February 2027 start for Years 1, 2 and 3.

Important programme-specific requirements include:

• Applicants must meet the Social Workers Registration Board's fit-and-proper criteria for entry.
• Successful applicants must complete police vetting.
• Safety checks are required because of the programme's work with vulnerable people.
• Safety checking can include a formal interview, referee checks, police vetting and risk assessment.
• Candidates must attend a selection interview/hui.
• Criminal convictions may affect admission, placement opportunities and eventual professional registration.
• Students must declare relevant pending or new convictions during their enrolment.
• Field placements are an essential part of the programme and students must be able to meet placement requirements.

International Student Visa Requirements

For a typical international student paying their own tuition fees, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa. Immigration New Zealand requires an offer of place from an approved education provider, evidence of tuition funding, sufficient living funds, acceptable insurance and satisfaction of the other health, character and genuine-student requirements.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Tuition fees must be paid or appropriately funded.
• For tertiary study of one year or longer, students generally need evidence of NZD 20,000 per year for living costs.
• Students must maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Students must study the course specified on their visa.
• Students must make satisfactory academic progress.
• Work rights can allow up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time work during permitted holidays, depending on the conditions recorded on the individual visa.