Study at Department of Social Work

The department offers the sociology programme as a wide social sciences education. That includes 3.5 years of full-time studies. It is a generalist education that provides knowledge of scientific theory and scientific methods as well as broad knowledge of social work both as a scientific subject and professional field. Specialisation occurs through selected courses at second cycle.

As a sociologist you will meet people in all ages and as a profession sociologist exists within many fields of work, such as the municipal social services, treatment centres, residential care, schools, healthcare, habilitation and care, or correctional facilities and the closed institutional care for children and young people. Social work is also carried out within the non-profit sector and by private businesses.

Social work as a Main field of study coincides in large parts with sociologists’ branch of work, and work with people in vulnerable positions. Terms like people, wellbeing, social welfare, help and support, as well as living circumstances and environment, are central in the education and a holistic view of people is emphasized. The value base of social work is based on a humanistic view of people and an ethical approach with emphasis on human rights.

The education is anchored in social science research and social work as practice. Consistent themes throughout education are power, human rights, socially sustainable development, which are elucidated with the help of research and experiences from practical social work.

The sociology programme leads to a Degree in Social Work with 210 credits, which is a professional qualification and is finished in the seventh semester of secondary cycle. It is also possible to apply for a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Social Work with 180 credits after the sixth semester.

The department offers at second-cycle a master's programme as well as freestanding courses in social work.

The master's program in social sciences with specialisation in social work offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge of social work and the collaboration between the individual and the group. You deep dive in the subject’s theory and method as well as ongoing research in social work. The courses can be oriented towards concrete effort against social issues, as well as understanding their causes and propagation. This could for example be areas such as children and young people, intimate partner violence, abuse, social gerontology and functional variation.

The programme is both research preparatory and a continuation of professional development in the area of social work. The education provides you with increased competence in advanced assessment, investigation, and development work, which today is an important element of private and government activities. You also expand your understanding of social work within voluntary activities and organisations.

In the programme you study subject- or theme-oriented specialisation courses parallel to secondary cycle courses within other disciplines. There are also several courses included in the programme with the aim for you to achieve high proficiency in theory and method.

Secondary cycle freestanding courses

The department also offers secondary cycle courses as freestanding courses, these can be found listed on the Swedish version of this page.