Who is the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work Suitable For?
The Bachelor's degree programme in Social Work at Hochschule Fresenius is aimed at school graduates who are interested in social issues and working with people. The programme is especially suitable for those who wish to work in social, educational or counselling fields, for example in youth welfare, work with older people, addiction counselling or social management. Career changers with professional qualifications and the desire for a systematic entry into the social sector will also find an appropriate academic education here. The programme imparts practical knowledge and opens career paths as state-recognised social workers and social pedagogues.
Admission Requirements: What Do You Need to Bring?
The following formal criteria apply for admission to the Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Hochschule Fresenius:
- General university entrance qualification (Abitur) or subject-specific university entrance qualification
- Advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachabitur)
- Professional qualification: for example, a successfully completed master craftsman examination or an equivalent recognised advanced training qualification
- Professionally qualified applicants without university entrance qualification can be admitted after passing an aptitude test
The programme has no NC (numerus clausus); a specific grade average is not required. Admission is possible for the winter and summer semester in Hamburg or Cologne.
Personally, you should have a strong interest in social issues, empathy as well as communication and conflict resolution skills. To work successfully in your future professional environment, it is helpful if you show openness to different life situations, the ability to work in a team and resilience. Willingness to self-reflect and enjoyment in dealing with people in diverse life situations are central prerequisites. Initial practical experience in the social sector is useful but not mandatory.
Study Content in Detail
In the Bachelor's degree programme in Social Work at Hochschule Fresenius, you will learn solid fundamentals and specialised methods to support people in various life situations. The study content combines practice and theory and is oriented towards the recommendations of the Federal Association for Social Work (Bundesverband für Soziale Arbeit e.V.) as well as the German Association for Social Work (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Soziale Arbeit).
- Core Subjects: Past, present and future of social work, social science and legal foundations, professional ethics, academic work
- Psychological Competences: Clinical psychology, psychosocial diagnostics, development and learning in children and adolescents, self- and external perception
- Legal Framework Conditions: Child and youth welfare law, legal basics in old age and disability
- Promotion of Diversity: Topics such as participation, inclusion, exclusion as well as diversity in social work
- Organisational and Management Knowledge: Social management, organisation of social work, basic socio-political issues
- Methodology and Practice: Methodical action (basics and advanced), scientific methodology, reflection on social control and aid systems
In the fourth semester, you complete a practical phase of 100 days over several months, during which you apply your knowledge in real work environments. Additionally, elective modules are available: you set priorities, for example in culture, aesthetics & media, lifelong learning or in the area of specific intervention methods.
Course Structure: How is the programme organised?
The programme is designed as a six-semester full-time course and comprises a total of 180 ECTS credits. The first semesters provide you with fundamentals, methods and relevant legal aspects. In the fourth semester, you expand your competences in an integrated practical phase, during which you gain at least 100 days of professional experience. From the fifth semester onwards, you can choose your own specialisations and further deepen your knowledge.
- Mandatory practical phase in the fourth semester
- Broad focus on theory-practice transfer throughout the course
- Individual specialisation options in the main study phase from the fifth semester
- Optional extension: if additional modules in psychosocial counselling and conflict management are chosen, the programme extends to seven semesters with 210 ECTS
- Degree awarded as Bachelor of Arts with state recognition as social worker and social pedagogue
Career Opportunities & Employment Prospects: Where can you work later?
With a degree in social work (B.A.), numerous professional paths are open to you. You usually work in social institutions and organisations, whereby the state recognition as a social worker and social pedagogue provides additional employment opportunities. Typical fields of work are:
- Youth welfare offices and child and youth services
- Welfare associations and social services
- Schools, kindergartens and counselling centres
- Addiction counselling, family counselling and psychosocial services
- Care work for the elderly, support for the disabled and hospices
- Health institutions, clinics and rehabilitation facilities
- Penal system, offender support, refugee assistance
Many graduates take on specialist and management roles or further specialise, for example through a subsequent Master's degree. Direct entry into counselling activities, case management or educational work is also possible.
Location of Study: Where can you study Social Work?
The course is offered at Hochschule Fresenius in the cities of Hamburg or Cologne. Each location offers its own study atmosphere:
- Hamburg: Modern campus near the Alster, centrally located with a diverse gastronomic and cultural environment
- Cologne: Campus in the MediaPark, centrally located with quick access to leisure and cultural opportunities
All locations offer modern lecture halls, student work areas and comprehensive service offerings. Optionally, you can change your study location during the course.
Costs and Financing: What must you plan for?
The tuition fees for Social Work (B.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius are 545 euros per month. This results in total costs of 19,620 euros for six semesters of standard study duration. In addition, there is a one-time enrolment fee of 695 euros.
Various options are available for financing:
- BAföG for eligible students
- Scholarships from the university and external organisations
- Study loans (e.g. KfW)
- Possibility to work alongside studies (timetables are adjusted)
- Support services from the university, e.g. advice on study financing and support funds
The tuition fees include additional free offers such as further training, language courses, networking events as well as access to the comprehensive StudyPLUS programme.
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