Bachelor of Social Work at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

Social work plays an important role in society, with the social worker helping people to overcome obstacles, ranging from family counseling, criminal offences, drug abuse, abuse or physical/mental disabilities. A social worker should be able to handle stress and act compassionately when dealing with others. This programme is made up of compulsory fundamental and core modules, as well as a choice of elective modules which can be selected according to the student’s interests.

Faculty: Health Sciences | Duration: 4 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Note: Holders of this degree qualify for registration as social workers with the Council for Social Service Professions. The published curriculum is an NQF Level 8 qualification of 502 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Social Worker, Youth Worker.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum APS: 350. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Minimum NSC statutory requirements for degree entry must be met. An applicant with NCS Grade 12 Mathematics or Technical Mathematics requires a minimum Applicant Score of 350. An applicant with NCS Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy requires a minimum Applicant Score of 365. NSC achievement rating of at least 40% for Mathematics or Technical Mathematics or 65% for Mathematical Literacy. Admission is subject to Departmental selection.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

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