Course guide · Courses & Degrees

BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)

Social workers support individuals and communities facing challenges — poverty, illness, disability, family problems, displacement. BSW combines social science theory with supervised fieldwork.

3 min read · Last reviewed 26 September 2026

Duration
3–4 years
Eligibility
Class 12 in any stream
Key feature
Supervised fieldwork
Next step
MSW for specialised roles

Course overview

Subjects include sociology, psychology, social work methods, community organisation, social policy and fieldwork with agencies.

Who this course may suit

  • Students motivated by social change and helping people

Eligibility

  • Class 12 in any stream

Entrance exams and admission

ExamUsed forNotes
CUET-UGUndergraduate programmes at participating universities

Exam names, patterns, eligibility and participating institutions change. Check the official notification for the current year.

What you will study

Typical structure — varies by university
YearTypical subjects
Year 1Introduction to social work, sociology, psychology
Year 2Casework, group work, community organisation, fieldwork
Year 3Social policy, research, specialised fieldwork

Skills you will develop

  • Counselling basics
  • Community engagement
  • Programme management

Where the course is offered

Universities and schools of social work.

Want help applying this to your own situation? Career Counselling After Class 12 on the Career Captain website.

Indicative fees

Government and aided colleges usually charge modest fees; private institutions commonly charge about ₹40,000 to ₹2 lakh a year, and more for specialised programmes.

Fees differ widely between government, aided, private and deemed institutions, and change every year. Any figures here are broad indications only — check each institution's official fee notice, and ask about scholarships and fee waivers.

Career options after the course

Psychologist

Related helping profession.

Teacher

School social work and education.

Higher-study options

  • MSW (medical, psychiatric, community, HR specialisations)
  • Public policy

Advantages of this course

  • Meaningful work
  • Diverse settings

Challenges to consider

  • Modest pay in many NGOs
  • Emotionally demanding

Is this course a good fit for you?

It may suit you if…

  • You care about social issues

It may be harder if…

  • High pay is your main goal

Similar courses to compare

Frequently asked questions

Is BSW enough for a social work career?

It is a start; many specialised roles prefer an MSW.

Published by Career Captain Global Solutions. This page is general guidance; see the disclaimer below. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.