The Bachelor of Social Work at Wits is a four-year professional degree preparing students for practice in one of South Africa's most needed professions, addressing poverty, family dysfunction, child abuse, substance abuse, and community development. Only 60 first-year places are available, with selection based on academic merit across school quintiles. Students undertake extensive supervised practice placements in community organisations, government social services, hospitals, and correctional services, developing skills in individual counselling, group work, community development, and social policy advocacy. Wits social workers are registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) and operate within the framework of South Africa's comprehensive social development mandate.
English Home Language or English First Additional Language: Level 5
APS: 36
Social Worker (Child Protection) – Investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children, and manages statutory child protection cases for the Department of Social Development across South Africa.
Community Development Practitioner – Designs and implements community upliftment programmes for South African NGOs, faith-based organisations, and government departments.
Medical Social Worker – Provides psychosocial support to patients and families in South African hospitals, assisting with discharge planning, rehabilitation, and access to social grants and services.
School Social Worker – Addresses social and emotional barriers to learning in South African schools, working with learners experiencing poverty, trauma, abuse, and family breakdown.
NGO Programme Manager – Manages development and welfare programmes for South African civil society organisations addressing homelessness, gender-based violence, substance abuse, and community health.
