Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

(NO NEW INTAKE 2024 – 2026) (PHASING OUT)

Faculty: Health Sciences | Duration: 1 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work degree programme aims to equip qualified social workers with advanced in-depth knowledge and skills to promote the optimal mental health and psycho-social, emotional and economic functioning of individuals, couple, family and community systems. The programme has a transformative agenda, and aspire to co-construct contextually and culturally relevant prevention and treatment approaches with the Clinical social work postgraduate students. The published curriculum is an NQF Level 9 qualification of 180 credits.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Unless Senate decides otherwise, candidates shall be admitted to the studies for the degree of Master of Social Work in Clinical Social work only if they have obtained the four-year Bachelor of Social Work or the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Social Work. Students must possess at least 2 years' work experience in the field of social work; have obtained a mark of at least 60% in the major modules for the Bachelor's degree in social work and must be registered with professional board. All candidates shall be subject to selection. Prospective candidates must apply in good time and present themselves for a personal interview.

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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