Social Work, Bachelor of Arts

Who is the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work suitable for?

The Bachelor's degree in Social Work (B.A.) at Northern Business School is aimed at people who want to actively shape society and professionally help others. The course is especially suitable for you if you are already working in a social, care, or educational profession and are seeking academic advancement, want to start a practice-oriented career with future prospects after completing your secondary school leaving certificate (Abitur), or, after a professional reorientation, for example following burnout, are pursuing a meaningful and fulfilling career path. The study programme is designed for both career starters as well as experienced professionals and lateral entrants.

Admission requirements: What do you need?

• Higher education entrance qualification: Admission generally requires the Abitur or Fachabitur.
• Study without Abitur possible: It is possible to study without (Fach-)Abitur, for example through a professional qualification in accordance with the legal regulations of Hamburg.
• No NC: Admission to the programme takes place without Numerus Clausus (N.C.) and without a selection process.
• Lateral entry: Recognition of already completed achievements (e.g. from previous studies, training, or work) to shorten the duration of study is possible.
• Further starting requirements: An intensive onboarding supports you at the beginning of your studies. Enrolment is possible for the winter and summer semesters.

Personal requirements and recommended qualities:

• Empathy, sensitivity, and genuine interest in working with people in different life situations
• Willingness to take responsibility and support people through difficult life circumstances
• Openness to different cultures and social challenges
• Ability to reflect and willingness for personal development
• Interest in social science topics such as psychology, social law, and social pedagogy
• Structured and independent way of working, particularly important for the hybrid study model

The course is suitable both for school graduates after (Fach-)Abitur as well as for professionals or lateral entrants who want to enter the field of social work at an academic level.

What do you learn in the Bachelor of Social Work at NBS?

In the Bachelor of Social Work (B.A.) at the Northern Business School, you build a broad professional foundation for the occupation of social worker. The core content includes:

• Social Law, Psychology and Counselling: Legal foundations, models of social support, communication techniques.
• Social Pedagogy, Ethics and Diversity: Development of practical skills and ethical reflection in dealing with diversity.
• Case Work, Case Management and Networking: Supporting and managing individual needs for assistance, cooperation with institutions.
• Project Planning and Social Space Orientation: Development, organisation and management of social projects and programmes.

From the 4th semester (full-time) or 5th semester (part-time), you specialise by choosing a focus area. Options include:

• Childhood, Youth and Inclusion: e.g. legal foundations of inclusion, growing up in modern societies, pedagogy and psychology of childhood.
• Management of Social Institutions: e.g. controlling, accounting, personnel management, basic business management.
• Migration and Interculturality: e.g. foreign nationals law, political conditions of migration, intercultural communication, migration and biography.

An important supplement to the subject study: you complete a social internship (100 working days). After graduation, you are also entitled to use the professional title “state-certified social pedagogue/social worker” (“staatlich anerkannte Sozialpädagogin/Sozialarbeiterin” or “staatlich anerkannter Sozialpädagoge/Sozialarbeiter”).

How is the degree programme structured?

The Social Work degree at NBS can be completed as an on-campus study programme using a hybrid model – you can attend classes online or on-site in Hamburg. Both full-time (6 semesters, 180 ECTS) and part-time (8 semesters, 180 ECTS) options are available. A switch between the study modes is possible.

Example study plan for full-time study

• 1st semester: Communication and conflicts, professional ethics, basic knowledge of social pedagogy, project management
• 2nd semester: Empirical social research, legal foundations, theories of social work, fields of work
• 3rd semester: Case analyses, methods of social work, social services in transition
• 4th semester: Three focus modules, interdisciplinary module, action concepts
• 5th semester: Social internship (100 days), internship report
• 6th semester: Quality management, social policy, fourth focus module, bachelor thesis and colloquium

In part-time study, the modules are staggered over time, but the content and internship requirement remain comparable.

• Practice-oriented teaching by lecturers with professional experience
• Small groups and individual support
• Opportunity for voluntary international experiences at partner universities

Career prospects after graduation: Where do you work and what are typical tasks?

With a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, many fields of work are open to you:

• Child and youth welfare: e.g. school social work, child protection
• Work with refugees and migrants: support, integration, accompaniment
• Special fields of assistance: homeless aid, offender support, hospital social services and care counselling
• Community work and neighbourhood management: social planning, development of social projects
• Management of social institutions: leadership or coordination, combining educational and economic tasks

Typical tasks may include:

• Advice and support of individuals or groups
• Case management and networking with other institutions
• Organisation and implementation of group offers and courses
• Professional collaboration with youth welfare offices, schools, clinics and independent organisations
• Managing and administering social organisations

Your workplaces range from youth welfare offices, schools and clinics, to welfare associations and NGOs, as well as social enterprises and public administrations.

Your study location: Hamburg

The Northern Business School (NBS) is located in Hamburg. The Hamburg metropolitan region offers a diverse labour market in the social sector and excellent career entry opportunities after graduation. You can choose to attend all lectures either on-site in modern rooms or online. The excellent networking of NBS with Hamburg-based practice partners facilitates internships and career entry.

Costs and financing options

• Full-time study: from €460 monthly, total costs from approx. €18,354 (6 semesters)
• Part-time study: from €290 monthly, total costs from approx. €14,877 (8 semesters)
• Eligibility for BAföG (student loans/grants) in the full-time model
• Scholarships, reversed generational contract as well as individual financial advice
• Internship placement through the Career Service

The tuition fees include individual support, small groups and excellent networking. For full-time study there is also a semester ticket.

Previously completed achievements from earlier degree programmes or vocational training can be recognised. This way you can reduce your study time and fees.