Social Worker
Protect children, support families and connect people to grants, shelters and counselling services.
What the job involves
- Investigate child protection and abuse cases.
- Counsel individuals and families.
- Link people to grants, shelters and government services.
School subjects you need
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy accepted. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- English
- Life Sciences
- Life Orientation
- Mathematics
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 24–32
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- English: 50–60%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)4 years
Compulsory registration with the SACSSP; the Department of Social Development offers bursaries with a work-back condition.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R18 000 – R26 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R28 000 – R42 000 per month
- Senior
- R45 000 – R70 000 per month (supervisors and managers)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Uvikela izingane futhi asize imindeni ithole usizo lukahulumeni.
Afrikaans: Beskerm kinders en ondersteun gesinne met hulpbronne en berading.