Quick Summary
BSW full form is Bachelor of Social Work or BSW course is a three-year undergraduate degree. It is a professional degree, and the subjects offered under a BSW degree are focused on study of social work and related fields. A degree for social worker has gained a lot of popularity in recent times as it has also become the need of the hour.
The course prepares a student to work for the welfare of society. To try to solve problems such as poverty, and malnutrition among others. The BSW course is offered both full-time and part-time. The BSW course is also sometimes referred to as a social worker course. The eligibility criteria for the course is generally that the student must have completed Class 12 from a recognized board. The eligibility criteria are discussed in detail in the further section.
If you are motivated towards doing good for society, the BSW subject will train you to be good at it. If you are wondering about what is BSW course, read on to learn more about the BSW course and its details.
Here are some quick details of the BSW subject and syllabus, skills required, admissions eligibility criteria, and top institutes among others.
| Particulars | Details |
| Course Name | Bachelor of Social Work |
| Short Name | BSW |
| BSW Course Level | UG |
| BSW Course Duration | 3 years |
| BSW Eligibility Criteria | Class 12 with 40-50% marks |
| BSW Entrance Exam | No entrance test is needed |
| BSW Course Fees | Rs 5,900 |
A student who wants to pursue the BSW course must be an enthusiast for serving society. A student must have keen observational and tactical skills in problem-solving. Other skills that a candidate must have as an added advantage are:
Observational Skills.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | Must have completed Class 12 or an equivalent qualification from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts). |
| Marks Requirement | A minimum of 45% to 50% in Class 12. |
| Appearing/Passed Status | Candidates who have completed or are appearing for Class 12 can apply. |
| Age Limit | No specific age limit. |
| Note | Some colleges may have additional eligibility criteria for admission. |
The admission procedure for Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) varies according to the college a candidate chooses to apply for. Therefore, it is essential that students thoroughly check the admission requirements of the college and work of their choice before applying. In the case of admission, some colleges may also request the scores of the entrance examination.
Below is a general overview of the BSW admission process used by most colleges in India.
Candidates should have completed Class 12 from a recognized board and would have 45% to 50% aggregate marks (in any stream)
Not all colleges require an entrance exam; however, several colleges may consider scores that result from entrance exams (for example: CUET UG, SAT India, etc.) in the BSW admission process.
Students will need to apply for the BSW course in the college of their choice by filling out the application form and following the procedure.
Typically, shortlisting to pursue a BSW course in each college will depend on merit or scores in the entrance exam. Colleges will release a list of chosen candidates in accordance with merit.
Document verification and allotment of seats could incur for selected candidates to have counseling or attend an interview. After checking the documents, the candidates shall be deemed to be admitted upon payment of fees.
Disclaimer: Students are advised to visit the respective official websites of the specific colleges to see the admission details.
Most universities offer admission to BSW programs based on merit, but other factors might include an entrance exam or an interview. CUET UG is a national entrance exam accepted by colleges around the country for BSW admissions. Candidates should review official notifications thoroughly and fill in their online application forms for BSW entrance exam/merit consideration as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadlines.
Given below are some entrance exam details through which candidates can secure admission to the BSW courses in most colleges of India:
| BSW Entrance Exam 2025 | Entrance Exam Dates 2025 | Entrance Exam Schedule 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| CUET UG 2025 | 8 May – 1 June 2025 (Conducted) | __ |
Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.
BSW courses can be pursued in various modes of education such as regular, distance and online. The candidates are advised to opt for the education mode based on their preference, suitability, convenience and career prospects.
Given below are some of the various types of BSW courses:
| Types of BSW Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Full-time BSW Course | This is a standard, classroom-based course with regular, in-person classes, which is the most common and widely opted for course format, particularly for undergraduate education. |
| Distance BSW Course | Distance or correspondence mode of study does not require traditional attendance at scheduled programs/classes. Students will, however, be required to attend occasional seminars and project sessions. Students completing their degrees via distance and correspondence are only expected to attend for their semester examinations. |
| Online BSW Course | Online mode of delivery will be the most flexible and convenient way to complete the BSW degree, and is increasingly becoming popular; it is expected to develop into a very popular form of learning in the near future. |
The BSW subjects list is divided semester-wise so that students can complete the course effectively. The BSW course is offered under a credit-based system. Here is the BSW course subject list for each semester.
| Semester | Course Name |
| Semester 1 | Hindi Bhasha: Vivid Prayog, or English in Daily Life, Professional Social Work and its Values. Social Work Practicum. |
| Semester 2 | Society, Social Institutions and Social Problems. Community Organization and Communication. Social Work Practicum. |
| Semester 3 | Human Growth, Behaviour and Counselling, Social Case Work and Social Group Work. |
| Semester 4 | Social Work in Family Setting, Public Health and HIV/AIDS, Social Work Practicum. |
| Semester 5 | Social Policy and Social Development, Research Methods in Social Work, Social Work Practicum. |
| Semester 6 | Prevention of Substance Abuse, Social Welfare Administration and Social Action, Social Work Practicum. |
Several colleges offer BSW courses all over India as well as abroad. The course has gained a lot of popularity over the past few years. Admission to these colleges is usually on a merit basis, calculated based on Class 12 marks. The percentage required might differ from one institute/university to another.
The top colleges that offer BSW courses are mentioned in the table below.
| College | Fees |
| IGNOU | Rs 5,900 per year or Rs 17,700 for the full programme. |
| St. Joseph College, Bangalore | Rs 55,500 per year for Karnataka students. Other state students may have to pay an extra 10% of the fees. Rs 80,000 per year for foreign nationals. |
| Patna University | Rs 28,000 per year approximately. |
| National Institute of Social Work and Social Sciences | Rs 9,000 per year approximately. |
| Madras Christian College, Chennai | Rs 30,000 per year approximately. |
| Marian College, Kuttikkanam | Rs 19,000 per year approximately. |
| Stella Maris College, Chennai | Rs 8,000 per year approximately. |
| Amity University | Rs 40,000 per year approximately. |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Rs 7,000 per year approximately. |
After completion of the course, students can opt for various BSW course job opportunities. A candidate can opt for becoming a social worker, counsellor, teacher, professor, lecturer, officer in various departments, or Chegg Q&A expert among several other career options.
| Career | Description | Salary (in LPA) |
| Labour Welfare Specialist | The job role includes developing and implementing policy and legislation. Along with inspecting the work of the committees, analyzing various data and determining public needs among others. | 1.6 – 6 |
| Social Worker | Social worker works for social causes such as public health, socially active issues and for the betterment of women and children. | 2.9 |
| Counsellor | As the name suggests a counsellor works as a guide, mentor, and path-giver. A counsellor helps different individuals in need of help. | 3.5 |
| Researcher | A social researcher takes up various projects and research areas, to do deeper analysis and prepare reports depending upon the findings. | 2- 5.9 |
| Professor | A professor mentors students through teaching academic subjects. They can work in a college, school or do research. | 15.5 |
| Chegg Q&A Expert | Becoming a Chegg Q&A expert is a great opportunity after completing the BSW course. To become a Chegg Q&A expert a candidate must have deep subject knowledge to solve the subject problems easily. | 2.8 |
| Teacher | Teaching is one of the best jobs who have an interest in social causes can definitely pursue a career as a teacher. | 2.9 |
| Trainee Officer | A trainee officer trains the new joinees on various aspects of working as a social worker or other domains in the industry. | 3 |
| Psychologist | A psychologist studies human behavioural patterns with other humans as well as their surroundings. The psychologist helps people understand their goals and objectives. | 3.7 |
| NGO Officer | An NGO officer is a person who works around one or many NGOs. The officer is responsible for NGO validation, assessment, and capacity building. | 2.9 |
Numerous students decide to study overseas because of the universities’ superior quality and international exposure, quality of faculty, better research facilities, and placement options. Finally, overseas institutions usually provide a broader spectrum of placement opportunities. However, before starting the application process to form student in BSW, candidates should consider these factors:
BSW is a great course for those who want to work for social causes and betterment of the society. BSW programs cover a wide range of topics, including human behavior, social welfare policies, community development, and case management. Students engage in both theoretical learning and practical experiences throughout the curriculum.
There are multiple job opportunities available after BSW course such as teaching, social work, counselling etc. In India, Graduates can expect BSW course salary on an average ranging from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹4 lakh per annum.
The article answers the question ‘What is BSW’ in detail. Through this article, aspiring students can understand and also explore the subjects, colleges and job options in India.
Dive into our career guidance page for information on future career prospects.
There are several jobs that you can do after pursuing a social work degree. The job options available are of a labor welfare specialist, researcher, social worker, professor, NGO officer, criminology specialist, psychologist, trainee officer, and counsellor among others.
BSW jobs focus on the area of social work. You can work for the betterment of society by focusing on providing solutions to social problems such as poverty, malnutrition, and public health, and also work for making the lives of women and children better.
The salary range of BSW lies between Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 6,00,000 per year. The salary differs based on years of experience and expertise.
After completing a degree in social work, students can start working for the betterment of society. Represent the underserved people. If you have an interest in serving society this course will give you a professional level of knowledge as well.
Some of the highest-paying jobs for BSW graduates include Medical Social Worker, School Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, and Community Service Manager, with salaries ranging from ₹4 LPA to ₹10 LPA, depending on experience and specialization.
Bachelor of Social Work
A BSW degree opens doors to various government jobs focused on social welfare and community development. Graduates can find positions in government agencies, healthcare organizations, and rehabilitation centers, often as social workers, counselors, or community coordinators.
Authored by, Gagandeep Khokhar
Career Guidance Expert
Gagandeep is a content writer and strategist focused on creating high-performing, SEO-driven content that bridges the gap between learners and institutions. He crafts compelling narratives across blogs, landing pages, and email campaigns to drive engagement and build trust.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
