Department of Social Work

The Department of Social Work was founded in 1971 and used to offer higher diploma programmes.

First launched in 2002, the Bachelor of Social Work programme has trained more than 450 students working in the field of social services, which include teenage, family and elderly services. The department provides three supervised fieldwork placements for students, a unique practice for local social work training. As pre-placement exposure, students are required to volunteer 100 hours of social work at social service organisations during their second year.

Department Video

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This admissions information talk provides the 2024/25 undergraduate programmes of Hong Kong Shue Yan University. You can check the admission requirements of the programme(s), introduction of the department, and internship, exchange and other student/alumni activities.

Our Programmes

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) Programme
Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) Programme

Programme Features

  • This is the only BSW programme in Hong Kong offering three fieldwork placements in the 3rd and 4th year with a total of 1,024 hours which makes the practice more comprehensive than other institutions’ BSW programme, also more than 200 hours that the basic requirement from Social Workers Registration Board acquiring
  • To ensure the integration of knowledge and practice, students undertake an honour project in their 4th year to conduct a research study on a chosen social theme
  • The BSW programme covers a wide spectrum of professional knowledge and skills related to supporting children, families, youth, elderly and the disables. New emerging social issues like working with hidden youth, families changing roles and landscapes, children with special educational needs and new approaches in the rehabilitation and elderly service fields are also covered in the curriculum design

Programme Curriculum*

  • Year 1
    Principles of Sociology, Introduction to Philosophy of Social Welfare & Social Work, Self-understanding and Self-development etc.
  • Year 2
    Theories and Methods in Working with Individuals, Theories and Methods in Groups, Theories and Methods in Community Work, Social Work Research, Social Work Practice in China etc.
  • Year 3
    Working with at Risk and Hidden Youth, Working with New Arrivals and Ethnic Minorities, Ethics for Social Workers, Social Policy and Planning, Law and Social Worker, Fieldwork etc.
  • Year 4
    Social Work in Pre-school, Primary and Secondary School Settings, Medical Social Work, Rehabilitation Services – Working with People with Intellectual Disabilities, Honours Project, Programme Evaluation, Fieldwork etc.

*For detailed curriculum, please refer to the departmental website.

Internship

  • Elective
  • Compulsory

Career Paths

  • Our graduates can apply for registration as Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Social Workers Registration Board
  • Our graduates can also apply for social work position in the Social Welfare Department of the HKSAR, Non-Governmental organisations and related social service organisations

Professional Recognition

  • Registered Social Worker (RSW)

Entrance Scholarships and Financial Assistance

  • NMTSS
  • ES 3

NMTSS = Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme
SSSDP = Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors

Entrance Scholarship (ES)
ES 1 – iFREE Entrance Scholarship
ES 2 – Longbow Charity Foundation Entrance Scholarship
ES 3 – Entrance Scholarship for Non-Chinese Speaking Students

Year of Entry

  • Year 1