Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work are able to practice in all professional fields of social work – social service, social care and socio-cultural animation/ community work. The study course offers a strong generalist training, with focuses on special topics that differ among the Universities of Applied Sciences and depend on students’ particular interests and choices.
The courses offered at the individual universities can be found under “Portrait of the UAS Faculties of Social Work”.
The Bachelor’s degree curriculum enables students to acquire the core theoretical and practical bases of social work. The methods and tools of social work are taught; in particular, communication and interviewing techniques, intervention methodology with individuals, groups and communities, administrative and case-file keeping techniques, as well as project management.
The contribution of all disciplines of reference is central to social work education. They include in particular law, economics, ethics, pedagogy and education, psychology, philosophy, political science and sociology. Field practice corresponds to approximately a third of the duration of the course. It takes place in recognised social work organisations, under the guidance of experienced specialists and tutors from the Universities of Applied Sciences.
The Main Points in Brief
- Degree: Bachelor of Science / of Arts in Social Work. 180 ECTS credits.
- Course organisation: full-time, on-the-job, or part-time.
- Duration of studies: 6 to 12 semesters.
- Recognition of prior higher education and equivalencies: prior educational and/or professional work experience may be taken into account.
- Formal admission requirements: Baccalaureate (vocational, specialised or academic), or admission on the basis of an individual dossier.
- Costs: fees per semester, and other expenses.
- Field practice: approximately one third of course time.
- Access to further qualifications: consecutive Master’s degree in Social Work, further education certificates and diplomas (CAS, DAS and MAS), university-based Master’s degrees (some specific requirements may apply).
Additional Information
- “Brochure “Social Work Studies”
- Links to the individual UAS (Bachelor):
- Berner Fachhochschule, Departement Soziale Arbeit
- OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule, Departement Soziale Arbeit
- Hochschule Luzern – Soziale Arbeit
- Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW, Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit
- Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse occidentale HES-SO, domaine Travail social
- Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana SUPSI, Dipartimento economia aziendale, sanità e sociale
- Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Departement Soziale Arbeit