Studying social work in Germany will teach you the scientific principles of this field as well as the skills that will enable you to become a professional in social work. Additionally, studying social work in Germany will allow you to embrace diversity, and openness while studying social work in Germany. German universities have a high quality of education as well as a conducive environment for students to acquire the best knowledge in this field.
However, before you can study social work in Germany, you must have fulfilled the entry and academic requirements that are demanded by each university. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have the right qualifications that are needed for you to gain admission. In this piece, I will list the basic admission requirements that are needed for studying social work in Germany.
Requirements for Studying Social Work in Germany
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Academic Qualifications
You must have completed 12 years of high school education before you can study social work in Germany. Additionally, you must have a percentage of at least 60% in your high school results. Additionally, you need to make sure that your certificate is eligible and equivalent to the German certificate. However, if your certificate is not eligible, you need to attend the Studienkolleg (one-year preparatory course) and sit for the Feststellungsprüfung Exam.
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German Language Proficiency
You need to understand the German language to study social work in Germany. Therefore, you need to be familiar with the German language to be able to learn in those schools. You will be asked to submit a certificate that proves your proficiency. You can use tests such as TestDAF or DSH. This should be at least at the B1 level or higher.
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English Language Proficiency
If you are applying to a university that uses English as their language of instruction, you need to write a test of English. You can use tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
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Undergraduate Degree
If you are applying for a master’s degree in Social work in Germany, you must have an undergraduate degree. This degree should be a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field. Additionally, it should be from a recognised institution.
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Have a good CGPA
If you have an undergraduate degree, you need to have a good CGPA to study for a master’s in social work in Germany. Therefore, you are expected to have a minimum of 3.0 CGPA.
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Work Experience
If you are applying for a postgraduate degree in Social work, you may be expected to have at least two years of work experience as a social worker. Therefore, you can volunteer to work as a social worker before submitting your application.
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Submit Academic Transcripts
You need to submit your academic transcripts during your application. Generally, your transcripts should contain all the courses you studied as well as the grades.
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Personal Statement
Most schools in Germany will ask for a personal statement while making your application. This is required for a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree. This essay should contain areas such as your passion for social work, your areas of interest, your plans and why you chose to study social work in Germany.
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Entrance Examination
Some universities might require you to sit for an entrance examination to obtain admission. You can take tests such as GRE or GATE. However, this is for the postgraduate degree.
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Curriculum Vitae(CV)
You will be required to submit a copy of your CV while making your application. This should contain areas such as your work experience, history of education, skills, etc.
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Student Visa
International students require a German Student Visa to study social work in Germany. Therefore, you need to apply for your visa three months in advance to have a smoother process.
How to Apply
Firstly, you should check the schools that you wish to apply to. You should know that some schools teach strictly with the Dutch language while few schools teach with the English language Therefore, you should have this in mind while making your application. Additionally, you should fill out the university’s application form and submit all the required documents.
Duration
The duration for obtaining an undergraduate social work program in Germany is three to four years. A master’s program in social work will take about one to two years. Additionally, a German language course before your social work studies will take approximately 6 to 8 months to complete.
Tuition Fee
The cost of studying social work in Germany is relatively low. Most public universities in Germany have zero tuition fees, however, in Baden-Württemberg where students pay approximately €1,500 per year. Additionally, public universities charge between €100-200 for administrative fees. However, studying social work at private universities in Germany can cost as much as €20,000 per year, either at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.
Universities in Germany that Offer Social Work
- University of Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia
- Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Hesse
- University of Duisburg – Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia
- Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg State
- University of Kassel, Hesse
- Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Bremen State
- University of Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia
- University of Bremen, Bremen State
- Leibniz University of Hanover, Lower Saxony
In Conclusion, studying social work in Germany can add greatly to your career pursuit. Therefore, if you are interested in studying this course, you need to make your preparations early. Additionally, you need to verify from the school’s website before you complete your application form. Feel free to reach out to us for further inquiries or assistance.
Good luck!
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