Course Details
next intake
Term 1
Applications Open
24 June 2025Applications Close
1 February 2026
duration
4 years full-time
accreditation
SAQA ID 117973, NQF 8, CHE, SACSSP
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how to apply
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Why take this course
Our Bachelor of Social Work is a four-year professional degree that equips you to be an advocate for change within the South African context with the view to promote social transformation and socio-economic development, cohesion and inclusion, human rights, equality, empowerment and social justice for all.
The Bachelor of Social Work is a professional qualification that provides an understanding of roles, functions, principles and characteristics of management and administration within social service delivery. It also encompasses the ethical requisites of the profession and the complexities of ethical decision-making in day-to-day social work practice. Most importantly, the degree’s strong practical component enables you to apply the core values and principles inherent in professional social work practice.
As a successful graduate, you will be able to pursue further specialisations such as clinical social work, probationary social work, forensic work, adoption work and research. Or, you can continue your studies with articulation into a master’s degree in specialised fields of social work, the social sciences or related fields – both nationally and internationally.
What you can expect
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of:
- A range of theories, approaches, perspectives and models of intervention that are relevant to social work, developmental social welfare, psychology and other related social sciences.
- The historical evolution of social work internationally, regionally and within the South African context.
- Global standards for social work training and practice.
- Pertinent global, regional and national declarations, policies and legislation relevant to social welfare and social work.
- The ability to apply and uphold the basic values and principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights in the S.A. Constitution in relation to social work service delivery.
- The importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable citizens through the implementation of various legislations and policies for the purpose of promoting social justice, respect for the dignity and worth of the individual, and strengthening universal human rights to enhance human well-being and social functioning.
- The importance of collaboration with National, Provincial and Local structures for the delivery of developmental social welfare services through the role of social work in social welfare policy planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
You will also develop:
- The skills and competencies to implement appropriate social work intervention strategies, projects and programmes to provide preventative, protective, developmental and other social work interventions including rehabilitation, aftercare and reintegration services with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities.
- The ability to conduct holistic assessments and interventions with individuals, families, groups and communities including assessing client systems and their social functioning.
- The ability to advocate for social justice in society by engaging people in social action to the improvement of psycho-socio-economic and political structures in the various fields of social work.
- The ability to address many of the consequences of poverty, social inequality, exclusion, and marginalisation through evidence-based social work interventions to protect the vulnerable and marginalised including women and children, older persons, people with disabilities, women, the poor, etc.
Course Highlights
A four-year professional degree.
Gain fieldwork experience from year one.
Leads to registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as a Registered Social Worker.
Who is this course for?
Do you:
- Have a genuine desire to promote positive change in society at scale.
- Have the ability to be highly motivated, passionate and self-directed.
- Want to gain practical experience as a key part of your studies to increase your expertise and confidence for a career as a Registered Social Worker.
- Want the depth and breadth of a Bachelor with a strong applied learning component, from year 1, that enables your student to build on your ability to perform more and more complex social work processes.
- Want a qualification that will give you multiple academic pathways for master’s degree in various specialised fields of social work, the social sciences or related fields – both nationally and internationally.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) – Mode of Delivery
WIL
The WIL component of your programme follows a hybrid model to ensure a well-rounded learning experience. This includes:
- Live Online & Asynchronous Learning:
- Some workshops will be conducted live online during scheduled sessions.
- Other activities will be asynchronous, allowing you to engage with the content at your own pace.
- Supervision Model:
- Individual Supervision: One-on-one online sessions focused on your progress, fieldwork experiences, and professional development.
- Group Supervision: Conducted live online by SACAP WIL Coordinators, providing opportunities for collaborative discussions and peer feedback.
- On-Site Supervision: You will also receive face-to-face guidance from your placement agency supervisor, who is a registered social worker with experience. They will provide direct support and professional insights throughout your placement.
Placement Locations
To ensure that all students are placed at accredited sites, SACAP’s WIL placements are restricted to the following major cities across South Africa’s nine provinces:
- Eastern Cape: Port Elizabeth, East London
- Free State: Bloemfontein
- Gauteng: Johannesburg, Pretoria
- KwaZulu-Natal: Pietermaritzburg, Durban
- Limpopo: Polokwane
- Mpumalanga: Mbombela
- North West: Mahikeng
- Northern Cape: Kimberley
- Western Cape: Cape Town
Note: Registered students will be expected to travel to the locations closest to their homes to access practical training at Government Departments or NPO registered and SACAP accredited placement sites.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities
As a successful graduate, you will be eligible for admission into a Master of Social Work degree or a master’s in a cognate discipline as well as further learning programmes in social work and other related fields – both nationally and internationally.
Social workers can potentially find employment in many different sectors, including:
- Social development
- Social policy
- Community development
- Child and Family Welfare
- Domestic violence and child abuse
- Alcohol and Substance
- Youth Development
- Foster care and adoption
- Statutory services
- Care for the elderly
- Crime prevention
- Health and mental health
- Care for people with disabilities
- Employee assistance programmes
- Academia and research
Bachelor of Social Work modules
Modules
Bachelor of Social Work Full Time Study Plan
Additional information
British Accreditation Council (BAC)
SACAP is fully accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as an Independent Higher Education Institution
The BAC accreditation is a globally recognised hallmark of quality assurance, and achieving this accreditation demonstrates that we have met the high standards set by the BAC. This accreditation is validation of our commitment to excellence and our mission to provide our students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in their future careers.
Our students can be assured that their education provider has met a gold standard. To maintain BAC accreditation SACAP needs to continue to meet BAC’s standards. BAC ensure that colleges, universities and training providers provide high quality education and a great learning experience for students.
Admission requirements
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
This is a four-year professional programme that is registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP), and as such all applicants are required to undergo a screening and selection process which includes a selection interview in addition to meeting the minimum entrance requirements. Acceptance into this programme is limited to maximum 20 students per campus per academic year.
- A National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 50% in English as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement 50-59%) or better in five recognised 20-credit NSC subjects (Life Orientation not included) OR
- A Senior Certificate (Pre-2008) with Endorsement, with English and Mathematics/ Mathematical Literacy passed at Standard Grade or better, or an equivalent school-leaving certificate. OR
- A Higher Certificate (NQF level 5), a SAQA verified equivalent qualification, Advanced Certificate, or Diploma in a cognate field. OR
- Applicants 24 years of age and older who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning equivalent to a National Senior Certificate (NQF level 4) to support admission into the programme on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Please Note:
As this is a South African registered professional programme, preference will be given to South African citizens wishing to apply for this programme.
Foreign nationals wishing to apply for this programme will need a valid and specific study visa for the full duration of the programme, and will be required to liaise with the SACSSP in order to learn of any particular requirements, including obtaining a valid working visa, in order to register and practice as a registered Social Worker in South Africa.
See SACAP’s full Admissions Policy here
Intake / Selection Process
SACAP has made a decision to only accept 25 students per campus (Cape Town, Johannesburg and online) into this programme.
Acceptance for our Bachelor of Social Work Degree is subject to a stringent selection process that includes, inter alia: applicants meeting the minimum entrance requirements, completion of application forms, assessment of academic and non-academic aptitudes and competencies, interview with a selection panel.
How can I apply?
It’s easy, you can apply online
You will also need these docs
- A completed SACAP application form
- A certified copy of your ID
- A certified copy of your academic transcript
- A completed Addendum, inclusive of an autobiographical essay
- Two confidential referee reports (excluding reports by family members)
- Proof of Application fee of R600.00
Please note: For applicants applying for acceptance into the programme via RPL, an interview will be conducted once the portfolio of evidence has been submitted for review by the selection panel, with the aforementioned documents, to further assess prior learning based on and eligibility for acceptance
Apply Online HERE
Course details
- Duration: 4 years full-time
- Modules: 33
- Accreditation: NQF 8, CHE, SAQA, SACSSP
- SAQA ID 117973
