Bachelor of Science in Social Work - Specialization International Social Work 180 cr
International social work entails work from an international perspective with people at three different levels – individually, in groups and in the community, covering issues such as human rights, social justice, children’s rights and respect for diversity.
Credits
180 cr
Application code
HIG-19902
Application deadline
april 15, 2026
Form of education
Normal teaching
Language
English
Study time
augusti 31, 2026–juni 3, 2029
Number of participants
15
Prerequisites
General entry requirements for higher education in Sweden and courses corresponding to the following Swedish Upper Secondary School courses:
- Mathematics 2a or 2b or 2c
- Social studies 1 b or 1a1+1a2
- English 6
Selection
Grade/Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test: 60/40 %
Credits
180 cr
Application code
HIG-19901
Application deadline
januari 15, 2026
Form of education
Normal teaching
Language
English
Study time
augusti 31, 2026–juni 3, 2029
Number of participants
35
Prerequisites
General entry requirements for higher education in Sweden and courses corresponding to the following Swedish Upper Secondary School courses:
- Mathematics 2a or 2b or 2c
- Social studies 1 b or 1a1+1a2
- English 6
Selection
Grade/Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test: 60/40 %
About the programme
The BSc programme in social work with specialisation international social work consists of fulltime studies delivered over six semesters for a total of 180 higher education credits, (HECs). All courses in the program will be held on the campus of the University of Gävle and will be given in English. Through out the programme, methodological and theoretical aspects of social work practice are discussed from an international perspective with examples from different countries. The first and second semesters offer insight into the profession and the practice of social work at individual, group and societal level. The third semester begins with field studies that relate the ethical aspects of research, as well as, observation and reporting of the practice of social work in various contexts. This semester is also focused on methods and skills of social work for intervention with specific groups such as children, families and victims of crime. The forth semester is centrally focused on the combination of theoretical and practical learning. The final part of this particular semester consists of social work practice placement, where the theoretical knowledge previously gained during the programme is expected to be observed in application on the field of practice. The fifth semester provides students with opportunities for acquiring and sharing social work knowledge and skills related to social work administration and management, as well as certain specialized fields of practice, such as global policy making and eco-social work. The sixth and final semester covers further studies in theory of science and epistemology along with research methods. Methodological proficiency, critical thinking and the compilation of scientific knowledge are put into practice through the production of a bachelor thesis by the student based on research within a central area of social work. The BSc programme in social work with specialisation international social work builds on the idea of learning as a process taking place in the interaction between educators and the learners. All instruction builds on the premise that the learners take personal responsibility for their own studies and for the active pursuit of knowledge. Learning means that the theoretical and practical sub-sections of the course become in each individual integrated into applicable knowledge and functional skills, and that the learner achieves the personal development that is necessary in her/his future professional role.
Degree
Degree of Bachelor
Fields within the programme Year 1
Major challenges in a globalised world
Within social work there is an increasing need for international competence; social problems span across boarders and promoting wellbeing for all requires an international perspective. International social work deals with involving people and making an impact on structures, facing challenges in life and increasing well-being.
Theory and field studies
As a student of the Bachelor’s programme in social work, specialising in international social work, you will acquire an understanding of individuals, groups and society. Using problem-based learning you will learn how to combine theoretical knowledge with issues and problems in the social field. The programme includes placements in the field comprising 7.5 credits.
Wide range of job opportunities
A Bachelor degree in social work with specialization international social work gives the possibility of applying for a wide range of jobs all over the world. The programme prepares you for work in an international context with social work at individual, group or societal level. This could be in relation to issues such as social justice, diversity or children’s needs and rights and take place within for instance international aid organisations. The international Bachelor programme in social work is aimed at both Swedish and foreign students with the tuition being conducted in English. After the course you will receive a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. The programme also qualifies you for studies at an advanced level.
The programme and the UN´s Sustainable Development Goals
Find out more about how the programme relates to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
1 No poverty
International social work is fundamentally concerned with combating poverty and social vulnerability. The Bachelor’s programme examines poverty from micro-, meso- and macro-level perspectives and analyses its structural causes across different global contexts. The programme integrates a continuous strand of sustainable development, where poverty is understood in relation to power, resources and global inequality.
3 Good health and well-being
Health is understood as a social, economic and political issue. The programme examines health in relation to inequality, power structures and social policy. Through critical analysis of social problems and key areas of wellbeing, students develop an understanding of how social work contributes to sustainable and inclusive welfare systems in different parts of the world. Through the programme, you will have the opportunity to reflect on human vulnerability and develop the knowledge required to apply a range of intervention methods and preventive measures.
10 Reduced inequalities
The programme is related to SDG 10 by addressing inequality as a central point of departure. Through critical analyses of power structures related to class, gender, and ethnicity, students develop knowledge of how structural inequalities are created, maintained, and challenged. Comparative studies of social policy, together with courses such as Ethnicity and Intercultural Social Work, strengthen students’ ability to analyse discrimination and social exclusion, and to understand gender equality and social justice as essential to sustainable development.
16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
Students develop the ability to critically examine social policy responses and to understand social work as part of peacebuilding, participation, and inclusive societal development. By addressing urbanisation, segregation, and social sustainability in both Global North and Global South contexts, the programme highlights how housing policy, environmental justice, and urban planning shape equal and peaceful societies. The course Eco Social Work particularly emphasises the interrelationship between ecological and social sustainability as a foundation for just and inclusive communities.
17 Partnerships for the goals
The programme highlights that social issues such as climate change, inequality, and health are complex and therefore need to be addressed through collaboration across sectors, organisations, and professions. By preparing students to work with municipalities, NGOs, international organisations, and interprofessional teams, education develops capacities that support sustainable development through partnership, knowledge exchange, and shared responsibility. This is particularly relevant to target 17.16, which focuses on strengthening the global partnership for sustainable development, 17.17, which emphasises effective partnerships involving the public sector, civil society, and other stakeholders, and 17.9, which concerns capacity-building support. The programme encourages cooperation and knowledge-sharing across professional and national boundaries, and the need for coherent and holistic approaches to sustainability challenges.
Högskolans kvalitetsarbete
Här kan du läsa mer om Högskolan i Gävles kvalitetsarbete och hur du som student kan bidra i arbetet
This page was last updated 2026-03-25