This article is for international students who are passionate about helping others, positively impacting society, and pursuing a career in social work, social welfare, social development, or a closely related field. For students with these interests, a degree in Social Work or a related social sciences discipline can be an excellent choice.
Many educational institutions in Asia offer established programs in social work, social welfare, social policy, social administration, and community development. Studying in Asia can also give international students exposure to diverse cultural contexts and social-service systems.
In addition to universities with dedicated Social Work programs, this list includes several institutions with closely related programs in social welfare, social development, sociology, public policy, and community-focused social sciences.
Learn more about some of the universities in Asia that offer Social Work or closely related programs.
Top Social Work Schools in Asia
1. National University of Singapore
Established in 1905, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is one of Singapore’s flagship higher education institutions. Its Department of Social Work began in 1952 and provides professional social work education at undergraduate, postgraduate diploma, master’s, and Ph.D. levels.
At the undergraduate level, students study Social Work through the Bachelor of Social Sciences pathway. The curriculum includes classroom teaching, interpersonal skills training, and supervised field practice. Graduate options include the Master of Social Work and research-based study for students interested in advanced practice, policy, and research.
2. University of Hong Kong
Established in 1911, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is Hong Kong’s oldest institute of higher learning. Its Department of Social Work and Social Administration offers undergraduate and postgraduate pathways for students interested in social work, social policy, counseling-related fields, mental health, nonprofit management, and social service management.
HKU offers a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Social Work, and research postgraduate options through MPhil and Ph.D. study. The Master of Social Work is available in two-year full-time and three-year part-time formats, and the department’s research areas include aging, mental health, poverty, families, youth, social policy, and community building.
3. Peking University
Founded in 1898, Peking University is one of China’s historic national universities. Its Department of Sociology offers an undergraduate Social Work Program, and students in the program are required to complete 139 credits to meet graduation requirements.
At the graduate level, Peking University offers a professional Master of Social Work and related programs in social policy and sociology. The university is also active in social work research, making it a strong option for students interested in social work education, social policy, and research in China.
4. Fudan University
Founded in 1905, Fudan University is a major university in Shanghai. Its School of Social Development and Public Policy offers undergraduate majors in sociology, social work, and psychology.
At the graduate level, Fudan offers master’s and doctoral programs in fields under the sociology discipline category, including social work, sociology, anthropology, demography, social psychology, and gerontology. This makes Fudan a relevant option for students interested in social work and broader social development studies in China.
5. University of Social Sciences and Humanities Vietnam
- Study Program
- Location: Vietnam | Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral-level Social Work pathways
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-USSH), was established as a member university in 1995, with roots in the social sciences and humanities fields of the former University of Hanoi. Its Faculty of Sociology has offered Social Work as a major since 2006.
VNU-USSH offers undergraduate training in Social Work and graduate training that includes research-based and applied Master of Social Work options, along with doctoral-level Social Work training. Students interested in Vietnam should review the latest program language and admission details directly with the university.
6. National Taiwan University
Established in 1928 as Taihoku Imperial University, the National Taiwan University later became National Taiwan University after World War II. Its Department of Social Work offers undergraduate and graduate education in social work.
The undergraduate Social Work program is expected to be completed in four years and requires 128 credits. NTU’s College of Social Sciences also confirms that the Department of Social Work offers master’s and Ph.D. degrees.
The university is associated with many notable graduates, including Nobel laureate in Chemistry Yuan T. Lee and former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.
7. University of Malaya
The University of Malaya (UM), or Universiti Malaya, traces its origins to 1905 and is Malaysia’s oldest university. Its Department of Social Administration and Justice offers courses in social work, social administration, social policy, social welfare, social management, and social justice.
UM’s Bachelor of Social Administration includes a mixture of social policy, social welfare and social work, social law, public management, and social management. Students seeking a professionally titled Social Work master’s degree should check current postgraduate offerings directly with UM, as the reviewed official pages confirmed social work-related courses and the Bachelor of Social Administration rather than a named Master of Social Work.
8. University of Delhi
The University of Delhi was established in 1922. Its Department of Social Work offers postgraduate-level education in social work and is the relevant unit for students interested in social work study at the university.
The university’s Master of Arts in Social Work is a two-year program with 100 credits and a fieldwork practicum component of more than 36 credits. The Department of Social Work also participates in Ph.D. admissions, making Delhi a suitable option for students seeking graduate-level social work study in India.
9. Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) traces its history to the Government Trade School founded in 1937, became Hong Kong Polytechnic in 1972, and gained full university status in 1994. Its Department of Applied Social Sciences is the university’s main academic unit for social work-related education and research.
PolyU offers a Master of Social Work designed for bachelor’s degree holders who want to pursue a social work qualification on a part-time basis. The program requires 37 credits, and graduates are eligible to apply for registration as Registered Social Workers in Hong Kong. PolyU SPEED also offers a part-time Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) pathway.
10. University of Colombo
The University of Colombo has a Social Work Study Stream within the Department of Sociology. The stream is offered within the Sociology Special Degree program and includes practical training and close supervision.
Students should note that the reviewed University of Colombo page identifies Social Work as a study stream within Sociology rather than as a standalone Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, or Ph.D. in Social Work. Only a limited number of students from the Sociology Special Degree program are selected for the Social Work Study Stream.
FAQS About Studying Social Work
Is Pursuing a Degree in Social Work Abroad Worth It?
Studying Social Work or a related social welfare field abroad can be a rewarding experience. It can help students learn from diverse cultural contexts, understand different social-service systems, and gain a broader perspective on social issues.
Students studying social work-related fields in Asia may encounter opportunities to learn about community development, mental health, inequality, migration, aging, child and family services, poverty, public policy, and nonprofit work.
Program structure, professional recognition, and licensing requirements vary by country, so students should check each university’s official program page and the relevant professional body before applying.
Graduates may pursue roles in NGOs, healthcare organizations, community development organizations, schools, social-service agencies, research institutions, and government agencies, depending on their degree, language ability, fieldwork experience, and local professional requirements.
To conclude, Asia offers a wide range of universities for international students interested in Social Work, Social Welfare, Social Development, and related fields. Some universities listed above offer dedicated Social Work degrees, while others offer closely related programs in social welfare, social administration, sociology, public policy, and development studies.
We hope this article has been helpful. If you want to pursue higher education in Asia, one way to lower your academic costs is to apply for scholarships. If you are interested, check out the Available Courses for International Students and the Best Scholarships in Asia for International Students to learn more.
