Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a three-year degree for those who want to help others. It's a good choice if you like working with communities, aiding those in need, and helping people through difficult times. With a BSW, you can work in social services, mental health, child welfare, education, healthcare, or community improvement.
The BSW Course eligibility criteria are that the candidate must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with an aggregate of 50% marks. Admission to this course is based on both merit and entrance exams. Some prestigious universities accept national-level entrance exam scores, such as CUET UG. However, some universities offer admission based on the merit of the candidate.
The average BSW Course fees range from INR 60,000 – 1,50,000 /Year, depending on the institute. Some of the top universities that provide the course are Shivaji University, Madras Christian College, Stella Maris College (Autonomous), College of Social Work, and Nirmala Niketan.
After getting a BSW degree, there can be many Job opportunities for the students. Some of the profiles you can work on are Case Manager, or work for an NGO. You might also find a job as a school advisor or a rehab officer. Another option is to keep learning and get your Master’s in Social Work (MSW). You could even get ready for government jobs.
Table of Contents
- BSW Course Key Highlights
- What is a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)?
- Why Study a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)?
- Who should study for a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)?
- BSW Course Eligibility Criteria
- BSW Entrance Exams 2025
- BSW Colleges in India
- BSW Admission Process 2025
- BSW Syllabus
- BSW Job Opportunities in India
- Bachelor of Social Work FAQs
BSW Course Key Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the Bachelor of Social Work course in India:
What is a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)?
If you care about helping people, supporting your community, and improving lives, think about getting a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). It's a three-year degree where you learn about why people do what they do, how society works, and how to make good changes happen. This might be for you if you've ever wondered why there's inequality, how to help someone in a tough situation, or how communities help people stay healthy.
In this program, you'll study things like fairness in society, mental health, families, and kids' well-being. You'll also learn how to advise people, talk to them, and manage cases. You’ll get to work with real organizations like charities, schools, hospitals, or government groups. That way, you can help people while you learn.
Also read PhD in Social Work
Why Study a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)?
If you have a passion for helping folks and want to impact the world, maybe a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is right up your alley. It’s not all book stuff; you'll learn how to assist individuals, families, and even whole communities through real-world experience. Here's why it could be a good fit:
- A BSW can lead to jobs like a social worker, counselor, NGO staffer, case manager, or community organizer. You could even go for a government job. You might end up in hospitals, schools, or local centers.
- Lots of programs give you hands-on training through fieldwork, community visits, internships, and by working with non-profits. You'll learn by doing and get confident working with real issues.
- You'll study things like how people act, what problems society faces, psychology, fairness, and how welfare works. Some schools even teach counseling, disaster response, and research skills.
Who should study for a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)?
If you care about people and want to improve their lives, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) might be a great option. It's especially good for:
- Students who really want to help others, especially those dealing with hard things like poverty, abuse, or addiction.
- If you're someone who's a good listener, supportive, and fights for what's right, this program will help you grow those abilities and set you up for a job in social services.
- Want to work with charities, local centers, or hospitals? A BSW gives you the real-world skills to assist people, families, and communities.
- Thinking about going into government work or welfare programs? Knowing about social work helps you understand what our society struggles with most.
- If you've always wanted to back causes like helping kids, women's rights, mental well-being, or making sure everyone can learn, this program shows you how to make that happen.
- If you picture yourself as a counselor, rehab worker, or school social worker, this is a great option. It can also help get your Master of Social Work (MSW) later on.
BSW Course Eligibility Criteria
To enroll in a Bachelor of Social Work, candidates have to meet some educational and admission requirements. Without fulfilling these criteria, it is not possible to enter the course. Mentioned below are the Bachelor of Social Work eligibility criteria:
- Completed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board.
- A minimum of 45-50% marks in the 10+2 exam
BSW Entrance Exams 2025
For pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work, various national/state/university-level entrance examinations are required to be taken. Colleges and Universities in India offer admission depending on the marks or rank obtained in these examinations.
BSW Colleges in India
Various institutions in India are offering the Bachelor of Social Work course each institute has got some entrance exam criteria for admitting students. Some of the top Bachelor of Social Work programs in India have been mentioned below, along with their total course fee, NIRF Ranking, and entrance exams required for admission:
BSW Admission Process 2025
Admission to BSW Course is based on the entrance exams scores. Some prestigious universities consider the entrance exams scores of CUET UG. However, some universities also give admission based on the merit of the candidate. Given below is a detailed admission process for the if you want to get into the Bachelor of Social Work for 2025 at Shivaji University:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Shivaji University.
Step 2: Fill out the application form with your grades from the 10th, 12th, and other relevant data.
Step 3: The college will post a list of selected candidates. If you see your name there, they can invite you for counseling or ask you to check your documents.
Step 4: If you are accepted, you will get an email from the college. It will have tuition fees, initial date for classes, hostel information, and an orientation program.
Step 5: To confirm your seat, pay the entry fee or seat confirmation amount before the time limit mentioned in the letter. In this way, you will secure your place in the program.
Required Documents:
- 10th and 12th mark sheets
- ID proofs
- Transfer certificate
- Character certificate
- Medical certificate
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
Also Read BA Social Work
BSW Syllabus
The syllabus for the Bachelor of Social Work in India is more or less the same in the colleges offering the course. The syllabus may slightly differ depending on the curriculum followed by the institute. For reference, the syllabus for the Bachelor of Social Work at the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, is given below:
BSW Job Opportunities in India
Bachelor of Social Work graduates can have job roles in multiple art fields, including Social Worker, Case Manager, Clinical Social Worker, School Counselor, Mental Health Counselor and others. Some of the common job roles for Bachelor of Social Work graduates in India are given below:
Bachelor of Social Work FAQs
What do BSW students usually work on for their projects?
Students often do community service, surveys about what people think, case studies, and reports from the field. They might also study topics such as women's rights, how kids are doing, poverty, or addiction. Training usually involves group presentations and campaigns to get the word out.
Can BSW students do things other than attend lessons?
Absolutely! Students often participate in local programs, trips to different places, health-related events, and internships with charities. Schools might also put on talks, workshops, and rallies about social problems. This lets students get hands-on experience and work with real problems.
How does doing an internship work with a BSW degree?
Internships are a big part of this degree. Most students work with nonprofits, hospitals, rehab centers, or government offices while they're in school. These internships let them use what they're learning and see how social work really works.
What can you do after you get your BSW?
With a BSW, you could be a social worker, case manager, or community worker, or a counselor. You can work at nonprofits, schools, or in welfare programs. A lot of people decide to get a Master of Social Work (MSW) to help their career, or they study for government jobs.
Do BSW students have any special tools they use?
Even though social work is mostly about people, students use things like survey apps, data programs (like SPSS), and tools for managing cases. They also learn how to write things down correctly, ways to talk to people, and might use online sites to keep track of and share about social issues.
