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Who is the dual B.A. Social Work degree programme suitable for - and what do you need for it?
The programme is a good fit if you want to combine theory and practice from the outset. Typical profiles include: (1) School leavers with university entrance qualifications who want to work directly in social institutions. (2) Career changers from the educational or social field - for example, from voluntary social year (FSJ), school assistance, care or support roles - who want to underpin their practice with an academic foundation. (3) Students switching from education, psychology, or sociology who are looking for a clearly job-qualifying education with regulated practical components. The degree grants you official recognition as a social worker or social pedagogue - a key criterion for many employers.
Admission Requirements
You will be admitted after initial consultation with the student advisory service and a suitable school or professional qualification:
- With a general higher education entrance qualification, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, or university of applied sciences entrance qualification: direct admission.
- With an international school-leaving qualification: assessment of equivalence (anabin) and proof of German B2.
- Without (higher) education entrance qualification: at least a two-year vocational training plus at least three years of professional experience in the learned, job-related field; start with a trial period at the university.
- With a master craftsman's examination or further training as a state-certified technician or business economist: admission possible.
- Special cases: Qualifications from Waldorf schools or technical colleges in Baden-Württemberg require official confirmation of the subject-specific higher education entrance qualification for studying outside the federal state.
For official recognition as a "Social Worker" during the studies, a 100-day, professionally supervised practical work experience with a practice partner must be demonstrated; an extended certificate of good conduct is required when applying for the certificate. There is no numerus clausus.
Personal Requirements
Key attributes include resilience, empathy, and a professional attitude in challenging situations. Communication skills, an interest in law and social policy, as well as enjoyment of counseling and documentation will aid you in your daily work - as well as a willingness for critical self-reflection in practice reflections.
Plan realistically: The split week integrates practice and lectures; in addition, you will need time for preparation and follow-up, exams, and project work. Alongside practice and theory, expect around 8-12 hours of self-study per week - more during exam periods. Reliable self-organization, effective time management, and coordination with your placement are crucial for the long-term success of balancing theory, practice, and personal life.
- Structured weekly planning with fixed study windows
- Keeping at it during peak times (exams, practical projects)
- Openness to feedback and interdisciplinary collaboration
What do you learn in the Social Work degree at IU International University?
You acquire comprehensive knowledge in social pedagogy, psychology, sociology, and ethics, supplemented by social law and social policy. The focus is on social work methods – from counseling and diagnostics to individual, group, and community work. Practice reflections and continual practical experience anchor everything in everyday professional life.
Foundations and reference sciences: Introduction to social work and professional field development, development and socialization, social history and philosophy interconnect. Psychology, sociology, and ethics provide the scientific basis, while scientific work, as well as qualitative and quantitative research methods, ensure academic depth.
Law, politics, and framework conditions: Social law and special legal references – for example in youth welfare, integration assistance, or asylum context – clarify responsibilities and benefits. Social policy conveys the structures of the aid system and their control logics.
Methods and consulting skills: Counseling, diagnostics, and case understanding form the framework for case-related action. You practice individual assistance, group work, community work, and social area orientation – always focused on resources and target groups.
Fields of action and target groups: Contents on childhood education, child and youth welfare, school social work, work with adults, integration and migration, or health-oriented social work prepare you for different settings – from the ASD [image] via all-day school to social psychiatry service.
Organization and completion: Management of social organizations and social economy show how providers work and are financed. The program concludes with the Bachelor's thesis.
Practice reflections are mandatory every semester.
Specializations: You set priorities, such as in childhood education, school field of action, social work with adults, school social work, all-day education, integration assistance, disabilities, or work with seniors.
With the degree, you acquire the professional title of “state-recognized social worker or social pedagogue” – a prerequisite is professional supervision of your practical work by an academically qualified expert for at least 100 days.
How is the Social Work Bachelor's degree structured?
The dual study program combines two days of theory per week with 20 hours of practice at the partner company. You can choose between attending classes on campus (Dual Study, 180 ECTS) and the virtual learning model (Dual myStudies, 210 ECTS). The study starts on April 1st and October 1st each year – the standard period of study is 7 semesters.
Two dual models: Campus or virtual
In the Dual Study, you attend classes in small groups on campus two fixed days a week – occasionally also as a live video conference. In the Dual myStudies, you work on the theory online via myCampus with digital learning materials and the AI learning assistant Syntea; weekly live sessions on the virtual campus are optional. Both models are dually accredited – as presence or distance learning.
Locations and learning environment
You can study at many locations, including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Stuttgart, and other cities in Germany. Alternatively, you can study at the virtual campus independent of location. You will complete your practical training with a partner in your region – with real clients and teamwork in the organization context.
Support, practice reflection, and supervision
Classes, digital learning materials, and interactive live formats structure the theory. Practice reflections are mandatory every semester and take place online. For the state recognition as “State-recognized social worker or social pedagogue,” your practical work must be supervised by an academically qualified expert in the facility for at least 100 days.
Evaluation and degree
You provide module-related performance records and complete the degree with the bachelor thesis. Content on methods, law, and organization specifically prepares you for documentation and case-related examination achievements in the social field.
Time commitment and compatibility
The week is divided: two days of theory and three days of practice (a total of 20 hours per week). This offers predictability and a clear learning routine. In myStudies, you can schedule theory phases more flexibly; in the Campus model, there is a mandatory presence on class days. The program starts on April 1st or October 1st each year.
How much does the Bachelor's degree in Social Work at IU International University cost?
In the dual study program, you usually do not bear the study fees yourself – the practical partner covers them. For you, this typically means 0 € in tuition fees. Additional individual expenses arise mainly for travels to the practice location and campus, work materials, as well as possibly relocation or accommodation.
For reference: Private degree programs usually involve tuition fees. In the dual model, these fees are often contractually covered by the training company, with some additional compensation in some cases – this depends on the respective practice partner.
For dual studies, tax-deductible expenses often include job-related costs such as professional literature or travel expenses, regardless of the fee model. The total costs primarily vary based on your place of residence and work, as well as the design of your practical contract.
What careers and salaries are possible after the Bachelor's degree in Social Work?
With state recognition, you work as a social worker or social pedagogue in youth welfare, schools, health and integration support, municipal services, or independent organizations. Entry-level salaries are often around €36,000-€46,000 gross per year; with experience, specialization, and managerial responsibilities, earnings of up to €60,000 and more are achievable.
Typical professions:
- Social worker in the General Social Service (ASD) – case management, care planning, child protection
- School social worker – counseling, prevention, network work in all-day school
- Professional in child and youth welfare – outpatient/inpatient educational support
- Social worker in social psychiatric service – support for mental illnesses and addiction
- Case manager in integration support – participation planning, coordination of services
Salary levels often follow collective agreements (e.g. TVöD S-table or in-house tariffs of independent providers) and increase with years of experience, additional qualifications, and level of responsibility. Those who want to deepen their expertise afterward have options for Master's degrees such as Social Work, Clinical Social Work, Social Management, or Childhood Education.
Who benefits from the Bachelor's degree in Social Work – and who does not?
The program is suitable for you if you want to work scientifically and take on responsibility in practice at the same time. The dual structure makes you quickly operational and capable – ideal if you want to apply theory immediately in client contact.
- You are looking for a structured weekly model with a fixed combination of theory (2 days) and practice (3 days, 20 hours).
- You want to achieve state recognition specifically through a dual study program – with mandatory practice reflections and professional supervision.
- You want to choose between campus study and virtual campus to adapt your learning location to your life situation.
- You want to build professional networks early and gain realistic work experience – directly with a provider in your region.
The dual form is not the best solution for every life situation. The fixed weekly structure and the commitment to a practice site require availability and reliability – even across semester boundaries.
- You want maximum location and time flexibility without fixed presence days or practice commitments – here, there is mandatory presence (campus/practice partner) and constant 20-week hours of practice.
- You are looking for a traditional full-time campus day with many free time slots – the split week allows for little flexibility.
- You primarily want to work on research-oriented projects – the program is strongly action and method-oriented.
- You are not mobile for commuting to the practice site or campus – the dual structure requires planned presence on-site.
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