Here Are Social Work Courses Requirements In South Africa


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Becoming a Social worker can be a very challenging career, as it challenges you emotionally, mentally as well as physically. There are a variety of universities that offer social work courses in South Africa, however there are requirements that you need to meet in order to study Social Work.


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Social Worker Courses Requirements

A social worker helps people overcome difficult challenges in their life. The obstacles that they help people overcome include poverty, addiction, unemployment, disability, abuse, mental illness, and a variety of problems that affect communities.

Social Worker Requirements

You can study social work at variety of universities in South Africa which include UCT, Unisa, UJ, University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, and others. A Bachelors in Social Work is usually a 4 year programme which will see the student move from a level 4 to a level 8 qualification.

The Requirements For Students To Study Social Work Are:

  • A National Senior Certificate with 60% for English and 60% in 4 other subjects in their matric final examination.
  • or  A Senior Certificate with an exemption (or qualify for the exemption from the Matriculation Board with at least a C symbol on HG or a B symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning) and 60% for 4 other subjects
  • or  A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with degree endorsement/ A Senior Certificate with exemption and a Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work (NQF Level 4) with one year of professional practice as a registered Social Auxiliary Worker
  • A police clearance for criminal convictions
  • Defined as a 'fit and proper person' by the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)
  • Two testimonials from credible sources such as school leader, a religious leader
  • During the second year of study students need to be registered with the Social Service Professions (SACSSP)

Social Worker Subjects

What subjects do you need to study at school to be able to do social work?

This changes slightly at the different universities so you should check the exact details at the university you wish to study at. These are the details of the subjects you need to study at school up to Matric if you want to get into a Social Work degree at Unisa:

  • National Senior Certificate as certified by Umalusi with entry into a Bachelor's degree.
  • No less than 30 points. ...
  • English at Level 4 (home)
  • English first additional at Level 5.
  • Another Language at Level 4 (home or first additional)
  • Maths at Level 3 or Maths Literacy at Level 4.

In addition to this, the other essential personal requirements needed include empathy, active listening, patience, critical thinking, self awareness and a driven need to help people overcome their difficulties. 

More Articles About Social Work

Suggested Article:

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Careers Portal recently sat down with the South African College of Applied Psychology, also known as SACAP, to speak about all things SACAP. One question that came up was whether SACAP offers social worker courses.


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Post-Matric Options

 

We helped you with past papers for your matric exams, so hopefully you are happy with your Matric results. So now you are faced with a lot of post-matric options that can shape your future paths. You might want to study law, teaching, or nursing. Of course studying is expensive so we have helpful advice about student loans, NSFAS bursaries, Fundi loans, ISFAP, and lots of other funding options.

These options range from pursuing higher education at universities , TVET Colleges or  private colleges, finding student accommodation, entering vocational training programs (like Learnerships and internships), joining the workforce, or even starting your own business. There are so many choices but we are here to help.

 


 

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