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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Bachelor in

Social Work

Are you interested in how people live their lives? Do topics like human rights and social justice appeal to you? Can you imagine a professional activity in which you support people and contribute to social change and cohesion? Then the BA in Social Work  is the right choice for you.

Course description

Social issues are at the centre of current challenges societies must face. Demographic developments, increasing inequalities and changing social needs of people in different life situations and with diverse experiences require social policies as well as participatory and integrated forms of support and intervention in lifeworld and local contexts. By developing appropriate solutions and services, social work and social policy contribute to the sustainable shaping of the foundations of social cohesion and development. 

The border region of South Tyrol provides an ideal context for a multilingual social work education programme with a strong European and international orientation. Professors from different European regions represent different academic and professional perspectives and traditions. 

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At a glance

Bachelor class: L-39
ECTS credits: 180
Duration of the course: 3 years
Courses will be taught in: Italian, German and English (trilingual)
Places available: 30 EU + 4 non-EU
Campus: Brixen-Bressanone
Tuition fees: ca. € 1350 per year

Structure of the course

The curriculum combines a broad and foundational undergraduate study programme with practice-oriented training to develop knowledge, competences, and attitudes for professional activities in different fields of social work practice. Special attention is paid to the reflexive connection of theory and practice, the development of innovative approaches and a strong research orientation.  

Courses on theories, ethics, and methods of social work, together with courses of social policy, form an important core area of the curriculum. In addition, a variety of courses in sociology, psychology, law, anthropology, and pedagogy provide the necessary foundations for understanding human behaviour and personal development in cultural and social contexts.

Special attention is paid to inter- and transnational social work, the critical analysis of social policy contexts, the development of innovative and low-threshold services, and processes of eco-social transformation. 

People

Degree Course director: Prof. Livia Taverna
Student Representative in the Course Council: Sveva Alice Favaro

Exchange programmes and internships

The degree programme is characterised by a strong practical orientation. Numerous cooperations with services in the local and national context as well as abroad enable accompanied placements in various fields of social work practice. 

Various exchange programmes and agreements with universities in Europe and beyond are available for study experiences abroad.

Career opportunities

Social workers advise and support people in different life situations in coping with their everyday life and promote their social inclusion and participation. They work with individuals, families and groups in quite different practice fields. 

Key areas of social work are in child, youth and family welfare as well as in services for older people, people with disabilities, addictions, or mental health problems. In addition, social workers support people with experiences of refuge and migration, violence, or exploitation, as well as people who are affected by unemployment, homelessness, and precarious housing. They also work in probation  services, women's shelters, hospitals, counselling services and social cooperatives. 

Other career opportunities can be found in the accompaniment of volunteers and self-help initiatives, in community work, the management of social services, social planning and policy making, projects of eco-social transformation and international development cooperation. 

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Caterina Peschedasch

Basic Social Pedagogical Care | Sozialsprengel Überetsch

This programme prepared me to work in the field of social services, especially by helping me to develop a reflexive stance towards different social issues. The main strengths of the programme are the stimulating and international environment, the trilingualism, the field placements and the small study groups, which offer space and time to get to know each other and to deepen the topics covered. After finishing my studies, I gained professional experience in the private sector working in educational and parenting support. After passing the state exam and registering as a social worker, I started working as a social worker in the adult and elderly area in a local public welfare agency. Working with people is very enriching. I am very happy to apply and develop every day the knowledge and skills I have learnt in this study programme.

Aron Bertoli

social worker | HIGH FIVE Munich

This study programme has helped me to deepen my knowledge in the subject areas relevant to social work and to expand my competences. Internships and a study visit abroad have allowed me to work in different fields and find the right job for me. After graduating in social work, I completed a Master International Social Work with Refugees and Migrants at the Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt. I currently work as a social worker at HIGH FIVE e.V. in Munich.

Amedeo Armellini

educator | AUTòS, Meran-Merano

This study programme has given me the opportunity to develop personally and professionally by successfully combining theory and practice in the field of social work. In addition to numerous insights that led to some in-depth considerations of the functioning of society, its strengths and weaknesses, this course also enabled me to have clear job prospects. On top of that, the internships have offered me the opportunity to explore a broad range of areas in the social field (such as immigration, homeless people, prostitution, as well as the field concerning youth protection), whose richness and passion are the common elements. Currently I am working as an educator in a specialised center for people with ASD (autism spectrum disorders).

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Studying at unibz

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Coming to unibz from Abroad

Everything you need to know as a degree-seeking applicant or as an incoming exchange student

Campus Tours

You can book a tour of the Bozen-Bolzano campus with one of our Student Ambassadors and have the chance to visit unibz and get a glimpse of your future student life. Visits are available every working day, Monday to Friday, from 6 March to 6 May 2024.

If you are interested in visiting the Brixen-Bressanone campus (where this study programme takes place), please send an email to apply@unibz.it to organise a tour.

Application and Admission

You can find all you need to know in order to apply and gain admission to this study programme by browsing through the information below.

Early Bird Application

Application: 01/03 - 07/05/2024 (by noon local time)
Language exams (online): 18/03/2024 (registration: 01 - 10/03/2024) and 17 - 18 - 19 and 22 - 23/04/2024 (registration: 25/03 - 09/04/2024)
Admission exam: 15/05/2024
Publication of ranking lists: by 28/05/2024
Payment of the 1st instalment of the tuition fees: by 06/06/2024 (by noon local time)
Enrolment: from 12/07 - 06/08/2024 (by noon local time) 

Late Application (only for EU citizens)

Application: 29/05 - 10/07/2024 (by noon local time)
Language exams (online): 24 - 29/06/2024 (registration: 29/05 - 16/06/2024)
Admission exam: 18/07/2024
Publication of ranking lists: by 30/07/2024
Payment of the 1st instalment of the tuition fees: by 06/08/2024 (by noon local time)
Enrolment: from publication of the ranking list until 06/08/2024 (by noon local time) 

Additional Application Session (only for EU citizens)

The Faculty can open additional application sessions for single study programmes in August and in September if there are available spaces. More information on additional sessions will be published in due course.

Preparatory courses and Freshers Days

Intensive language courses: 02 - 20/09/2024 (Monday to Friday, 6 h/day)
Freshers Days:  01- 02/10/2024

1st semester

Classes: 30/09 - 23/12/2024
Holidays: 24/12/2024 - 06/01/2025
Classes: 07/01 - 25/01/2025
Exams: 27/01 - 15/02/2025

2nd semester

Classes: 03/03 - 17/04/2025
Holidays: 18- 21/04/2025
Classes: 22/04 - 14/06/2025
Exams: 16/06 - 12/07/2025

Autumn session

Exams: 25/08 - 27/09/2025

The Advisory Service provides support regarding your choice of study. In many cases a simple call or a short request is enough to get the relevant information (Tel. +39 0471 012100).

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