FAQ: Master's Programme Social Work and Human Rights

What are the entry requirements for the program?

A Bachelor Degree in Social Work or a closely related topic within Social Sciences. Proficiency in English proved by a valid test of English as a second language. TOEFL (paper-based) with at least the Score of 4.5 (scale of 1-6) on the written test, a total score of 575 or a TOEFL (internet-based) Score of 20 (scale of 0-30) on the written test, the total score of 90 or IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in all sections). Please observe that this is subject to change and you should always check the recent requirements on www.universityadmissions.se

What counts as a closely related topic to Social Work?

Examples of closely related subjects to Social Work are: Social Pedagogy, Social Care, Sociology, Social Psychology, Criminology, Human Rights, etc. A degree with at least 90 ECTS in related subjects is required.

I have a Bachelor´s degree in Law. Am I considered qualified?

Unfortunately, a BA in Law is not considered a related subject (to Social Work), so unless you have at least the equivalent of one and a half year's full-time study in Social Law, Family Law, Human Rights, or International Law (or these combined) you will not be considered qualified. There are also some Law degrees with a special focus on Social Law/Social Work. We do accept those, even if the number of credits would not be the equivalent of 90 ECTS.

I have a Master´s degree in Social Work, but a Bachelor´s degree in a subject that is not closely related. Am I considered qualified?

We do look at the whole picture of your formal University degrees. With a master´s degree, you can still obtain eligibility if you have the required 90 ECTS in a closely related subject. Some master´s degrees are only one-year masters (60 ECTS). In those cases, we need to find 30 ECTS in other related subjects within the Bachelor´s degree.

I have studied my whole Bachelor´s education in English. Do I still have to prove my English skills through a test?

No, there are several ways to prove your English skills. This is described in detail on the University admissions site.

To the University admissions site about English requirements
 

What documents do I need to submit to university admissions? I do not find a complete list of required documents.

This is what you need to submit certified copies of:

- BA degree in the original language
- BA degree in English
- Official transcripts in the original language
- Official transcripts in English
- Results from TOEFL, IELTS or other accepted English test

Also submit your passport, for national admission to assess if you are to pay tuition fees. It does not need to be certified. 

I am studying my last semester in my Bachelor´s program. Can I still apply, even though I do not have my degree yet?

Yes, you can apply to the Master´s Programme in Social Work and Human Rights before having your completed degree. There is a form you fill in, a Statement of enrolment status, and ask your University to sign and stamp.

To the information at the University admissions website

If you get admitted, you need to upload your degree diploma/transcripts of records of your completed degree as soon as you receive it, in university admissions. Alternatively, bring it to the program start and show the administrative staff.

How do you select applicants, among all eligible applicants?

We do prioritize applicants with a degree in Social Work or Human Rights, to other applicants with a closely related subject. If we have fewer applicants with a degree in Social Work or Human Rights than we have places, we accept applicants with a closely related Bachelor´s degree. There is no priority between them depending on the subject. The selection will be done through a lottery.

I have already paid the tuition fee, but my visa application was rejected. Can I get a refund of my tuition fee?

Yes, you need to apply for a refund of the tuition fee. Please, contact admissions at tuitionfees@gu.se for instructions on how to go about it.

Are there scholarships and grants available?

Yes. However, the scholarship process is managed separately from the university application. Most scholarships are managed by the Swedish Institute.

Read more about fees and scholarships at the University admissions website

What are the career possibilities after a degree of Master of Science in Social Work and Human Rights?

The program aims at working within international organizations that deal with human rights issues but are based on social work. Our graduates are spread all over the globe working with different things. Some we correspond with at times. A few are working within the UN system or other large non-governmental international organizations, some work on local level in municipalities or national levels in their home countries, dealing with these issues, some have gone on to doctoral studies and some work within regular social work.

Does this Master's program count as a qualification in Social Work?

Or is it just designed to be a course for previously qualified social workers? For instance, would I be able to apply for jobs as a qualified social worker with this Master's degree or do I need a previous Social work qualification?

In Sweden it is the Bachelor´s degree that gives you credentials to work as a social worker, and not the master´s level. A master´s degree is a specialization in a certain field. This may vary quite a lot between countries. This is the case for Sweden, but in other countries it may be possible to apply for a qualification based on this master´s degree.

I am admitted to the program, but cannot start my studies this autumn. Can I apply for a deferment?

If you want to apply for deferment to start your Master’s program studies, you have to document the reasons for the deferment in detail. Please note that permission to start studies later is only given in rare cases when the circumstances were out of control for the applicant.

You need to write a letter in which you name the program you were admitted to and the reasons why you won’t be able to start your studies the next semester. Reasons that might lead to a deferment can be for example social reasons, medical reasons, that you are going to have children or need to take care of them or that your employer won’t permit your absence from work for studies. The reasons have to be one that you could not predict at the time when you made your application. In your letter, you also have to state when you want to start your studies instead and your full postal address and telephone number. You also have to sign the letter with your name.

In addition, you need to submit documentation that proves the circumstances in your case, such as medical certificates or certificates from your employer.

Send your letter and supporting documents as soon as possible to the following address:

University of Gothenburg
Registrar
Box 100
SE-405 30 Gothenburg
Sweden

Your application for deferment and your documents can also be scanned and emailed to the following address: registrator@gu.se

You will get a notification when a decision has been made.

Deferring your studies
How to applying for a deferment at Studera.nu