Where to study Social Work in South Africa? Here are 13 places you can study social work in South Africa.
Social Work is one of the adorable and valued professions in South Africa. The programme is valuable as it deals directly with people’s welfare and psychological matters.
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Places to Study Social Work in South Africa
We listed 8 institutions of higher learning where to study Social Work in South Africa.
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
UJ says “If you want to make a difference in people’s lives then social work is a good choice.”
You can study Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Johannesburg.
This is a four-year qualification offered full-time at the Auckland Park Campus only.
Students must register for specific courses in the Faculty of Humanities with majors in Social Work (at 4th year level) and Psychology and Sociology (one up to 3rd year level), register for Internship whereby the student must attend Internship classes at the university as well as complete set number of hours of field instruction at approved welfare organisations in the social services sector each year. Go to UJ site.
University of South Africa
Bachelor of Social Work is also available at the University of South Africa (UNISA).
The purpose of this qualification is to ensure that all graduates will be able to contribute meaningfully to enhance the quality of life for all by means of social development and transformation through acquired knowledge, skills and values. The BSW will equip its graduates to address many of the consequences of social inequality, exclusion, poverty and marginalisation through evidence-based interventions. The overarching values that guide social work education and training are: social justice, Ubuntu, human rights and respect for indigenous knowledge systems and the environment.
South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP)
SACAP have this qualification and this is what they say about it: The Bachelor of Social Work is a professional qualification that provides an understanding of roles, functions, principles and characteristics of management and administration within social service delivery. It also encompasses the ethical requisites of the profession and the complexities of ethical decision-making in day-to-day social work practice. Most importantly, the degree’s strong practical component enables you to apply the core values and principles inherent in professional social work practice.
University of Pretoria (UP)
The University of Pretoria offers Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) programme with a Criminology component.
With a BSW degree you will have a wide range of job opportunities. As a social worker you will be able to practise in various settings within South Africa, such as:
- Government departments: national, provincial and local
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation centres
- Schools
- Higher tertiary institutions
University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
Wits has this qualification as well. They say, during the four-year degree, you will learn about professional ethics and processes in social work, as well as different intervention models, the legislative framework, research methodologies, and concepts and theories underpinning the profession.
North West University (NWU)
NWU says “The objective of this program is to train students as social workers to provide therapeutic services and developmental work to society in order fulfil their role as a social worker stipulated by the South African Council for Social Service Professions.”
University of Free State (UFS)
Selection for the Social Work Programme at the UFS is highly competitive. Due to the high standards required for academic and professional development, UFS can only accommodate a limited number of students (± 70) each year. Each year they receive more applications (approximately 8000+ per year) than they can accommodate. Therefore, only the top academic candidates will be selected.
Nelson Mandela University
This programme at Nelson Mandela University is made up of compulsory fundamental and core modules, as well as a choice of elective modules which can be selected according to the student’s interests. Practical work is an integral part of the degree from second year level. Graduates qualify for registration as social workers with the Council for Social Service Professions.
University of Venda (Univen)
You may also study this course at the University of Venda (Univen)
University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
The University of Mpumalanga also offer the Social Work studies
University of Fort Hare (UFH)
Fort Hare University also offers this course.
University of Limpopo (UL)
You mays study this course at the University of Limpopo as well.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKNZ)
This course is also available at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
In Conclusion
I believe we answered the question, where to study social work in South Africa. Go to the universities and colleges listed above to make your applications for the next academic year admissions.
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