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Study social work abroad
An in-depth guide to studying social work as an international student.
Social work degrees abroad
Social work is an academic discipline that is committed to human rights and social justice by helping those in need. You will learn how to work with vulnerable people across different ages and cultures, and how to build respectful and trusting relationships.
While studying a social work program you’ll cover a range of subjects including sociology, psychology, and law amongst others. Working in social work is a demanding and rewarding profession, that plays a crucial role in communities all over the world. If you have the drive and commitment to improve the lives of others, then social work could be the ideal program for you.
Social work is a popular program that is offered at universities all over the world, including the UK, US, South Africa, Canada and many others. By studying abroad, you’ll get to develop important skills like interacting with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Social work program structure
There are a variety of degree qualifications you can study for in social work at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. At bachelor’s level you can study for a BA, BSc or a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) over three or four years, depending on where you study.
If you study at bachelor’s level in the US, you can choose to study social work as a major or minor subject. To graduate, you’ll need to earn a certain amount of credits in social work modules.
Most postgraduate social work degree programs are offered as an MA or MSc over two years, but you can also study for a PhD over four years. In the US and some other countries you can study an MSW (Master of Social Work), and some universities also offer PgDip (Postgraduate Diploma) programs.
Social work programs are usually taught through student-led seminars, group workshops and lectures. You will also spend time on placement where you’ll be able to shadow professional social workers and interact with the local community. The program content will be unique to each program, but some of the main areas of study include:
- Introduction to social work
- Equality and diversity
- Law and social policy
- Introduction to psychology
- Professional practice
- Social work with children
- Social work skills
How to study social work abroad
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Social work study abroad programs
Social work undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in social work
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Social Work (3rd year admission) - BSW Thompson Rivers University, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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11,836 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,080 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Social Work - BSW University of Central Florida, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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22,478 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,478 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Social Work - BSW George Fox University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
36,750 USD
Fee in university's local currency 36,750 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Social Work - BSW Lakehead University, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,527 USD
Fee in university's local currency 23,604 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Social Work - BSW Stockton University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,605 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,605 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Diploma in social work
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Social Work - Dip Bow Valley College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
31,409 USD
Fee in university's local currency 40,017 CAD
- Start date
- September
Certificate in social work
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Social Work and Human Services Paraprofessional - Cert Berkeley City College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
Social work graduate programs
Master's in social work
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Social Work - School Social Work - MSW California State University, Monterey Bay, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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15,600 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,600 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Social Work - Standard Program - MSW Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
26,518 USD
Fee in university's local currency 26,518 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Social Work (Women's Studies Specialization) - MSW Lakehead University, Canada
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,586 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,406 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Social Work - MSW Florida A&M University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
25,868 USD
Fee in university's local currency 25,868 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Social Work - MSW Edge Hill University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,116 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,250 GBP
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in social work
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Social Work and Juris Doctor - JD/MSW Southern Utah University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate/Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,620 USD
Fee in university's local currency 23,620 USD
- Start date
- January, May, September
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Social Work and Social Care - PhD University of Gloucestershire, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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18,047 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,200 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Future social work careers
Social work is a vocational degree, and most graduates go on to become practicing social workers in their local community. However, there are several different roles you could pursue, including:
- Social worker
- Care manager
- Persistent offender coordinator
- Family support worker
- Housing adviser
- Support worker
The skills you’ll acquire on a social work degree program like compassion, communication and teamwork are also easily transferable to other areas of work.
If you’re not quite sure what role you want to pursue after you’ve graduated, make use of your university’s career services, who can help you work out which path is right for you.
