Program Overview

Programme: Bachelor of Social Work [BSW]

Programme Information

The purpose of this integrated programme is to provide qualifiers with professional training for a career in social work. The theoretical training goes hand in hand with appropriate practical skills training.

A police clearance certificate (PCC) is required to study social work. In accordance with the Children's Act (2005), all registered student social workers have to complete Form 30 in Part B of the National Child Protection Register (NCPR).

Admission Requirements

• Important information for all prospective students for 2026: The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications.
• Minimum requirements:
  • Achievement level: English Home Language or English First Additional Language - 5
  • APS (Grade 11) - 30
  • APS (NSC/IEB completed) - 28
• To retain admission, candidates must obtain an APS of at least 28 in the NSC/IEB.
• A police clearance certificate (PCC) is required to study social work.
• Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
• Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.
• Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
• Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Programme Structure

• Minimum duration of study: 4 years
• Total credits: 523
• NQF level: 08

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into four years of study, with specific modules and credits allocated to each year.

Fundamental Modules

• AIM 111: Academic information management 111 (Credits: 4.00)
• AIM 121: Academic information management 121 (Credits: 4.00)
• ALL 110: Academic literacy 110 (Credits: 6.00)
• ALL 125: Academic literacy for Humanities 125 (Credits: 6.00)
• ENG 118: English for specific purposes 118 (Credits: 12.00)
• SEP 110: Sepedi for beginners 110 (Credits: 12.00)
• UPO 101: Academic orientation 101 (Credits: 0.00)
• ZUL 110: isiZulu for beginners 110 (Credits: 12.00)

Core Modules

• APL 110: Introduction to social anthropology 110 (Credits: 12.00)
• APL 120: Advanced introduction to social anthropology 120 (Credits: 12.00)
• KRM 110: Criminology 110 (Credits: 12.00)
• KRM 120: Criminology 120 (Credits: 12.00)
• MWP 161: Social work in practice 161 (Credits: 6.00)
• MWT 110: Social work theory 110 (Credits: 12.00)
• MWT 120: Social work theory 120 (Credits: 12.00)
• SLK 110: Psychology 110 (Credits: 12.00)
• SLK 120: Psychology 120 (Credits: 12.00)
• SOC 110: Sociology 110 (Credits: 12.00)
• SOC 120: Sociology 120 (Credits: 12.00)

Elective Modules

• APL 220: Anthropology 220 (Credits: 20.00)
• KRM 210: Criminology 210 (Credits: 20.00)
• SLK 220: Psychology 220 (Credits: 20.00)
• SOC 210: Sociology 210 (Credits: 20.00)

Other Programme-Specific Information

• Students with an achievement level of 5 or 6 or 7 for English Home Language or an achievement level of 6 or 7 for English First Additional Language may apply for an exemption from ALL 110 and ALL 125.
• Students who are deemed NOT to be at risk of their level of academic literacy are compelled to take language modules to the value of 12 credits from the other departments.
• Students who are deemed to be at risk with an achievement level of 4 and below for English Home Language or an achievement level of 5 and below for English First Additional Language must register for ALL 110 and ALL 125.

Pass with Distinction

A student has to obtain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 75% (not rounded) for the final-year modules in the BSW programme to pass the degree with distinction.

Minimum Credits

• Minimum credits for the degree: 122
• Minimum credits for core modules: 156
• Minimum credits for elective modules: 125
• Minimum credits for the final year: 120

Core Modules for the Final Year

• MWP 400: Social work in practice 400 (Credits: 50.00)
• MWT 452: Social work management and social policy 452 (Credits: 20.00)
• MWT 454: Social development 454 (Credits: 20.00)
• MWT 455: Social work research 455 (Credits: 30.00)