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Kamaldeep
20 November, 2024
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Many people wonder why pursuing a BSW course in India is desirable, given that social work does not land us very high-paying jobs in the technical, law and medical fields.
It does matter to some who want to follow a path of compassion, positively impact society, advocate for social justice, and meet the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
BSW is a 3-year undergraduate course. After completing the course you may understand societal behaviour and its needs. You may get a clear understanding of the deep-rooted social problems and develop strategies to address them.
Although it might not sound cool to be a data analyst or a digital marketer, having a BSW degree gives students a high level of satisfaction and stimulates them to make meaningful contributions to society, address social issues, and support the needy.
If you, too, are an undergraduate wanting to pursue a BSW programme, you can find full details of the BSW course here.
The full form of the BSW course is “Bachelor of Social Work”. It is a 3-year undergraduate programme in India that teaches social work principles, human behaviour and skills to address social issues.Social work is an important phenomenon in today’s world. You may learn about various communities and vulnerable people. These people are facing many challenges in their everyday lives.
With increasing awareness about society’s needs and struggles, new practical ways of service and support have been introduced. They aim to help vulnerable people and communities overcome the challenges they face in their everyday lives. The BSW programme in India provides students with the information, abilities, and moral prospects necessary to handle social issues and have a good impact on people’s lives. It is both an academic subject and a profession that is practice-based.
Do You Know? Every Year, on the third Tuesday of March (i.e., 19th March 2024), we celebrate World Social Work Day.
A Bachelor of Social Work opens the door to various career opportunities in social work and services. These include healthcare and hospitals, schools and education institutes, mental health and counselling centres, disaster management organisations, human rights organisations, etc. The number of jobs after BSW in India is increasing. You could work in rural areas with deprived communities. You may also get a chance to work with NGOs.
According to an article in Northern Today, Students studying social work at Northern Michigan University recently visited India as part of an exchange programme with Delhi University’s Delhi School of Social Work. They received practical training in social audit procedures and transparency mechanisms. It may help them in their future professions as social worker administrators and rural programme managers.
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) initiative, students in Punjab witnessed social audits. They also gained insight into how to interact with communities and comprehend their problems.
The BSW Course duration is usually 3 years; however, it can be 4 years, depending on the curriculum of the colleges’ programmes. Each academic year consists of 2 semesters, and each semester typically spans 14-16 weeks of professional training/study.
If a candidate wants to enrol in the Bachelor of Social Work course, he must fulfil the following BSW course eligibility criteria.
| Particulars Details | |
| Academic Qualifications | All candidates applying to the BSW course must be 12th passed (on all subjects) by a recognised board. |
| Marks Criteria | The candidates must score a minimum of 50% in the class 12th boards. |
| Appearing or Passed Criteria | Those appearing for class 12 and those who have passed class 12 can apply for the BSW program. |
| Age Limit | There is no age limit |
Facts To Know: The undergraduate degree is a bachelor of social work (BSW). Graduate degrees include the master of social work (MSW), and a doctorate (DSW) or PhD in Social Work.
Also Read: An Analysis of Research on the Outcomes of Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programmes
With the growing importance of social work and community support across the globe, many colleges in India have introduced specific entrance exams to select deserving candidates for Bachelor of Social Work programs.
These entrance tests evaluate students’ aptitude, general knowledge, and commitment to becoming dedicated social workers and service providers. Some of the top BSW entrance exams in 2024 are given below:
| BSW Entrance Exam 2024 | Entrance Exam Details |
| CUET | Common University Entrance Test (CUET) – The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts and administers the entrance exam for admission to the BSW programme in various central universities. |
| DUET | Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET) – The conducting body of this entrance test is NTA, which allows admission to various undergraduate programmes, including BSW, offered by Delhi University. |
| PUBDET | Presidency University Bachelor Degree Entrance Test (PUBDET) – This entrance exam is conducted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board (WEJEEB) to get admission to various undergraduate programmes, including BSW, at Presidency University in Kolkata. |
Also Read: How Will the Workplace Impact Liberal Arts Education?
There are various BSW colleges in India. You can join any college that suits you best. Some of the top-ranking BSW colleges with their fees in India for 2024 are as follows:
| Name of the College | Recognition & Accreditations | Programme Fees |
| Madras Christian College | Recognised by UGC and accredited by NAAC | – |
| Amity Institute of Social Science, Noida | UGC, NAAC with grade A+, AICTE, AIU member, NIRF 49 (Overall) | INR 65,000 (1st Year Non-Sponsored Semester) |
| Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | UGC, NAAC A++, NIRF 1 (Open University) | INR 12,000/- (offered as an online programme) |
| St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore | UGC, NAAC A++ | • INR 2,19,500/- (For Non-Karnataka candidates) • INR 2,00,000/- (For Karnataka candidates) • INR 3,50,000/- (For NRI candidates) |
| Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur (CSJM) | NAAC A++, AICTE approved and UGC-recognised | INR 2,200/- per year |
| Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore (DAVV) | NAAC with Grade A+ and approved by the MHRD | • INR 65,499/- (For Female candidates) • INR 66,633/- (For Male candidates) |
| Parul University | UGC, AICTE, NAAC A++, NIRF 101-150 (University) | INR 40,000/- Annually* |
The BSW course syllabus covers various topics that set the foundation for understanding and addressing social issues, supporting vulnerable communities, and protecting people’s rights. The syllabus includes theory, practical projects, and fieldwork so that students gain deep knowledge on subjects like child welfare, mental health, social policy, etc., and hands-on experience in real-world settings.
The semester-wise BSW course syllabus is shared below:
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Introduction to Professional Social Work | Introduction to Social Welfare |
| Introduction to Sociological Concepts | Social Group Work |
| Introduction to Environment | Introduction to Economics |
| Computer Applications | Social Psychology |
| Social Communication & Personality Development | Social Work Practicum |
| Social Work Practicum | Comprehensive Viva Voce |
| Comprehensive Viva Voce |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Social Work Problems | Fields of Social Work & Government Programmes |
| Community Organisation | Social Action |
| Socio-economic Policy & Planning/Human Rights | Social Welfare Administration/ NGO Management |
| Social Case Work | Social Counselling |
| Social Work Practicum | Social Work Practicum |
| Comprehensive Viva Voce | Comprehensive Viva Voce |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Introduction to Statistics and Research in Social Work | Disaster Management |
| Labour Welfare in Industries | Social Work with Differently-abled |
| Community Development- Rural & Urban | Human Resources & Personnel Management |
| Social Entrepreneurship | Tribal Development Policy & Administration |
| Social Work Practicum | Minor Research Project |
| Comprehensive Viva Voce | Social Work Practicum |
| Comprehensive Viva Voce |
As social work has continued to gain importance in national and global affairs, it has opened doors for many leading organisations and institutions to actively seek qualified BSW graduates. Many national and international agencies support social causes, make significant contributions to underprivileged communities, and run programs to uplift them.
Top recruiters from sectors like non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government agencies, healthcare organisations, and educational institutions offer diverse BSW job profiles to the graduates to show their skills. Some of the top recruiters for BSW graduates are shared below:
| Top Recruiters For BSW Graduates | |
| UNICEF | Infosys Foundation |
| Wipro Cares | TATA Group |
| Reliance Foundation | Athena Health |
| Smile Foundation | CRY (Child Rights and You) |
| HelpAge India | Aditya Birla Group |
| Deloitte | OXFAM |
| Episource | Smile Foundation |
Pro Tip: A bachelor of social work (BSW) qualifies you for entry-level positions in mental health, ageing services, or residential treatment.
Some of the popular BSW job profiles and their salaries are given below:
| BSW Job Profiles | Average Salary |
| Child Welfare Worker Salary | INR 1 LPA – 4.1 LPA |
| Healthcare Social Worker | INR 1.1 LPA – 3.8 LPA |
| Substance Abuse Counsellor | INR 1.2 LPA – 6 LPA |
| Social Worker | INR 2.7 LPA – 3.4 LPA |
| Volunteer Coordinator | INR 4 LPA – 7.5 LPA |
| Community Outreach Worker | INR 2 LPA – 5 LPA |
Source: Ambition Box
Studying BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) goes beyond just reading the theories; it involves putting your practical skills to work and engaging with different communities to develop real-world solutions. Pursuing a BSW course in India takes commitment and time, but the payoff is worth it.
A BSW graduate will not only attract a well-paid and satisfying job as well as make significant contributions to different communities and society. If you feel the zeal to drive social change and make a difference in people’s lives, enrol in the programme at one of the top BSW colleges in India.
Pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work programme after 12th grade is a good career choice if you want to work in human services. After graduation from BSW, a candidate can explore various career options, such as teaching, psychology, volunteering, etc.
If you are passionate about positively impacting society, this course offers you a complete knowledge of community development, human services, and social justice.
If you want to pursue a BSW programme and continue your career as a social worker, activist, or educator, then you need to have the following skillset:
Good communication
Active listening
Strategic Thinking
Emotional Intelligence
Empathy
Professionalism
Persuasion
Advocacy
Time Management Skills
Boundary Setting
Generally, the duration of the BSW course is 3 years (6 semesters); however, in some cases, it may be up to 4 years, depending upon the college’s curriculum.
Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular way to take your career path as a social worker. Apprenticeships allow you to gain hands-on experience and continue with your job simultaneously.
Many local organisations offer social work apprenticeships, which may extend up to 2 years and give you an apprentice qualification.
The National Association of Professional Social Workers in India(NAPSWI) is one of the country’s largest professional social worker organisations.
To become a registered social worker, one must obtain a relevant degree, such as a BSW or related field. He/She can gain supervised experience through internships and be a member of NAPSWI.
According to the Ambition Box report, the average annual salary of a BSW graduate is around INR 3.0LPA. The monthly estimated take-home salary is between INR 21,500/- and INR 23,500/-.
After becoming a BSW graduate, you can choose from various career options such as volunteer coordinator, healthcare social worker, mental health assistant, child welfare officer, community outreach worker, etc.
