Bachelor of Science in Social Work
210 ECTS credits
Study programme
Are your interested in vulnerable groups in society? The social work programme is an academic professional training for working with people in need of support. Social work involves preserving, developing, changing and creating strategies for and in different life situations together with the individual client. This is primarily done in a personal relation with individuals and groups, but also at the organisational level in the form of exercising authority, leadership and social administration.
Education level:
Basic level
Prerequisites
General entry requirements + Mathematics 2a or 2b or 2c and Civics 1b or 1a1 + 1a2.
While studying
Education
The programme comprises 210 ECTS credits, including 90 ECTS cr in the field of social work and a degree project (15 ECTS cr). The last term consists of Master-level courses, which means that these can be included in a one-year or two-year Master's degree. Theoretical studies alternate with field studies, group exercises and seminars. The programme also includes a practical placement period (30 ECTS cr) at a workplace in the Värmland region.Professional Contact
Students have continuous contact with the social work field through field studies, practical placement and lectures given by visiting professional people.Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| An introduction to social work (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Personal and professional development I (Obligatory) | 1.5 |
| The organisation of society, social policy and social welfare (Obligatory) | 6 |
| Social changes, social stratifications and social problems (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Social Work as a Research Field (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Individual Development Through the Life Course (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Living Conditions, Prerequisites and Needs at Individual and Group Level (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Personal and professional development (Obligatory) | 1.5 |
| Law in Social Work Practice (Obligatory) | 13.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Statutory Casework in Social Work Practice (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Communication and Counselling Methods in Social Work (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Personal and professional development (Obligatory) | 1.5 |
| Theory of science and research methods in social work (Obligatory) | 6 |
| Project work in social work (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Strategies for Social Change at Community and Group levels (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Social Interventions and Practice Methods for Children, Adults and Families (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Personal and professional development IV (Obligatory) | 1.5 |
| Organisation and collaboration (Obligatory) | 6 |
| Leadership and Management in Human Service Organisations (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 5 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Studies in field of practice - Social Work (Obligatory) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 6 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Theoretical Perspectives in Social Work (Obligatory) | 6 |
| Scientific Methods and Research Process (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Personal and professional development V (Obligatory) | 1.5 |
| Paper - Degree (Obligatory) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 7 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Professional Social Work, Conditions and Social Change (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Social Work with Victims and Perpetrators of Violence (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Ageing and Older Adults Living Conditions from a Welfare Perspective (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Substance misuse and addiction (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Leadership in social work (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Engagement, Assessments and Interventions in Child Welfare Services (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Migration and Integration in social work (Optional) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
*Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per semester (20 weeks).
Please note - not all programmes offer elective or optional courses.
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.
Program evaluations
Start semester Spring 2022
Start semester Autumn 2021
Start semester Spring 2021
Start semester Autumn 2020
Start semester Autumn 2019
Future prospects
Employment Market
The professional social worker engages with people and their life conditions. Clients can include the elderly, families, children and youth, drug abusers, staff groups, or people with functional impairment. Social workers use, for example, pedagogical support methods, social therapy and leadership functions. Social work also includes investigation and exercise of authority in the care of the elderly, the functionally challenged and in individual and family care. Social work graduates can have a variety professional titles such as assistance assessor, social secretary, counselor, project manager, coordinator, case manager, therapy assistant, social pedagogue. Social workers find employment in the public, private and non-profit organisational sectors.Degree
Degree of Bachelor of Science in Social WorkMain field of study: Social Work
Further Studies
Upon completion of the programme, you can go on to further studies at Master's level, such as a Master's programme (60 or 120 credits) in Social Work.Karlstad University currently offers the following programmes that might be of interest:
Master programme in social work
Tuition fees
- Total fee: 430,500 SEK
- Per semester / First payment: 61,500 SEK
You do not have to pay tuition fees if you are an exchange student or a citizen of a country within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.