Social Work

The BA Social Work is a four-year professional degree programme. Social workers work in various fields of service such as community development, child protection, child and family welfare, youth programmes, disability, health, education, the workplace, and social policy development.

Overview

Promote social change, and the development and wellbeing of people. The Social Work Department strives to be a centre of excellence in promoting social change, development, and the wellbeing of people, through research, teaching, and community service. Social workers help individuals, groups, and communities solve problems relating to human relationships, and facilitate the empowerment and liberation of people by enhancing their wellbeing and promoting social change. Principles of human rights, anti-oppression, and social justice form the foundation of the profession.

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.

Once you’ve completed the undergraduate degree, you may extend your studies to Master’s and Doctorate levels.

Career Opportunities

  • Marriage and Divorce Counsellor
  • Substance Abuse Counsellor
  • Development Planner Working with disadvantaged communities
  • Lecturer
  • Personnel Manager
  • Probation Officer
  • Social Welfare Manager
  • Social Welfare Researcher
  • Social Worker in the fields of:
    • Child and Family Welfare
    • Geriatrics
    • Occupational
    • Medical
    • Educational Social Work

Curriculum

First-year
  • Psychology I
  • Sociology I
  • Social Work I
Second-year
  • Psychology II
  • Sociology II
  • Social Work II
Third-year
  • Social Work 111
  • Psychology III

OR

  • Sociology III

Fourth-year
  • Field Instruction
  • Social Work Theory
  • Research Report

Entry Requirements

APS 34+

English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5

Wait-listing

Applicants with an entry requirement of at least 32-33 APS points are wait-listed, subject to place availability.

Additional Information 

Only 60 places are available in the first year of study for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. Applicants are selected on the basis of academic merit within various school Quintiles. This aligns with the University’s transformation policy for student selection.

University Application Process

  • The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
  • Please click here for an overview of the application process. 
  • Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply. 
  • Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
  • Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal. 

The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.