Admission requirements
The following admission requirements apply to students seeking direct entry to full-time Bachelor of Social Work through Wagga Wagga Campus.
Entrance ranking
Students will be assigned to the highest rank for which they have any of the following criteria, except at the discretion of the Course Coordinator(s).
Rank 1
- ATAR of 77.10 or better (including regional allowance), or the equivalent OR
- Completion of a tertiary degree OR
- STAT test with ATAR equivalency of 77.10 or better OR
- Principal's Recommendation Entry Program (PREP)
Rank 2
- ATAR of 72.55 or better (including regional allowance) or the equivalent OR
- Successful completion of a University Diploma, TAFE Diploma of Community Services (Welfare) or Advanced Diploma OR
- Successful completion of one year of study (full-time or equivalent) in a tertiary degree at Pass average or better
Rank 3
- Current employment in the social welfare sector OR
- ATAR of 67.95 or better (including regional allowance), or the equivalent OR
- Successful completion of a TAFE or RTO Certificate IV OR
- STAT test with ATAR equivalency of 67.95 or better OR
- Completion of at least one university level subject at Pass level
Rank 4
Appropriate voluntary work in the community or social welfare sector (at least six months' documentary evidence required) AND, one of the following:
- ATAR of 63.40 or better (including regional allowance), or the equivalent
- Successful completion of a TAFE or RTO Certificate III
- Successful completion of a relevant industry-based training program (e.g.NSW Department of Community Services - caseworker development program or similar)
- Completion of TAFE Tertiary Preparation Course or ADEPT program for Aboriginal students
An Applicant who meets the above criteria and is either:
- an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander
- an isolated rural person
- a person with a disability will be placed in Rank 3
Criminal record checks
Applicants should be aware that, in many states, there is a requirement for criminal record checks before practicums can be undertaken in some agencies - including health and child-related practicums. Successful completion of both the Bachelor of Social Work and the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Work can only be achieved if enrollees are eligible to undertake practicums in suitable agencies.
Notes
Students who wish to improve their ranking are advised, for example, to enrol in associate student subjects, undertake the University bridging program, undertake a STAT test, voluntary work, or undertake industry-based courses
An applicant's ranking based on prior tertiary study does not necessarily imply that they will be granted subject credit in the Social Work programs
Applicants will be taken progressively through the Ranks (that is Rank 1 first, Rank 2 second, etc) until the available quota is filled.
Bachelor of Social Work Advanced/Graduate Entry
This course is for those with a prior relevant degree or who have completed a substantial part of a relevant degree. It is by distance only and would normally take four years to complete and cannot be completed in less than two years.
Students must have a three-year degree or its equivalent or have successfully completed two-thirds of a recognised degree including the successful completion of at least two session length subjects in:
- Psychology, one of which must be developmental psychology (or equivalent)
- Sociology
- Australian Government and politics and/or welfare politics, social policy and social philosophy, and Australian economic and social history
and
- the successful completion of 10 other relevant session-length subjects including a session-length subject on research, law and human rights
Subjects that are not satisfied in these prerequisites will need to be completed prior to graduation.
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
- previous studies, and
- other attainments and experience.
Previous studies
Previous studies include:
- the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
- the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
- a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
- a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
- an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
- completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.
NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.
Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.
English language proficiency
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:
- have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
- were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
- have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
or - have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.
All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.
Acceptable tests for English proficiency
Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:
- an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
- a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
- a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
- a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
- a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
- a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
- completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
- a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
- completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
- completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
- successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
- a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
- a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
- IRI Diploma of English.
An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.
Attainment and experience
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
- voluntary or paid work experience;
- performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
- participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
- completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).
Internet access
CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.
The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.
Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.