Do you know that the aim of the social work profession, established during the late 19th century, was to aid underprivileged categories of people in overcoming poverty and inequality? In today’s world, it is regarded as a novel task since its purpose is to make people’s lives easier by supporting them in confronting and resolving their problems. Numerous people are choosing social work as their career nowadays considering it is a promising field with a variety of job opportunities, such as charity officer, family support worker, etc.
If you are passionate about social work and want to create a career in this field, studying abroad will be beneficial to you in many ways. From prestigious research universities to more intimate, specialized European colleges, the options are endless. You can pick where to study social work in Europe by following the discussion that follows to discover more about its benefits. Out of hundreds of colleges and universities, we have picked the top 15 so you may choose the best one for your social work studies. These institutions provide students from all over the world with well-organized professional degrees to ensure the growth of professionals in the field of social work.
Go through the top 15 universities in Europe where you may study social work!
Top Social Work Schools in Europe
1. University of Greenwich
A public university with three campuses in the UK, the University of Greenwich is situated in London. The university supports an aspirational community of scholars and students with no restrictions on where you are from or what you can do in the future. It is one of the top universities in Europe to pursue a social work degree with effective work experiences and promising job possibilities. Undergraduate and graduate social work programs are available to international students. A 2-year MA in social work costs about £8,150 a year to finish.
2. University of Dundee
In Dundee, Scotland, there is a public research university known as the University of Dundee. In terms of overall satisfaction with social work, it ranks first in Scotland and third in the UK. The university has an advisory council that supports prospective overseas students at every stage of the application process. The courses offer students the chance to learn both on-campus and in the real world. You will be able to benefit from the knowledge of caregivers and people who use social work services
3. University College Cork
The National University of Ireland’s constituent university, University College Cork, is situated in Cork. Here, each of their courses is well organized and widely appreciated. Both bachelor’s and master’s-level social work courses are available at the university. Here, the teaching and learning strategies place a strong emphasis on enhancing the prior knowledge and experience of the students as well as growing and expanding their skills and competencies.
4. Lancaster University
The campus of Lancaster University is stunning, providing a healthy and welcoming environment for students from all over the world to pursue their studies with passion. Students from all around the world can obtain a BA in social work with honors from the university. International students can earn a three- to four-year bachelor’s degree in social work here at a tuition cost of about £23,750 per year.
5. University of Bologna
In Bologna, Italy, there is a public research institution called the University of Bologna. It is considered the oldest university in the Western world and was founded in 1088. Being one of the best European institutions to study social work, students from all over the world can pursue a master’s degree in sociology or social work, giving them the chance to use their creativity to the benefit of the entire world. The course has been split up into the “Sociology and Social Research” and “Social Work” curriculum to prepare students for careers as sociologists.
6. University of Oviedo
A public university in Spain is called the University of Oviedo, has three campuses and is the sole university in the area. International students who are passionate about learning more about social work are welcome at the university to pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree in social work. The students here would be well prepared to make a difference and improve the world. The University of Oviedo should be your first choice if you intend to go to Spain to pursue a career in social work.
7. University of Vigo
One of the most well-known institutions in Spain is the University of Vigo, a public institution of higher learning in the city of Vigo. Social work is one of the most well-liked undergraduate courses available at the institution out of the various courses that are provided therein. You can get involved in conflict situations as a social worker in various individual social contexts, take part in policies, services, and social problems, as well as in collective planning and growth.
8. University College Dublin
An Irish public research university called University College Dublin is located in Dublin. It is the biggest and most prestigious university in the nation, with 38,417 students. Because University College Dublin offers a full-time Ph.D. program, international students who are interested in obtaining a professor’s master’s in social work in Ireland would undoubtedly attend there.
9. University of Debrecen
Hungary’s Debrecen is home to the University of Debrecen, another excellent European school to pursue a degree in Social Work. Since its founding in 1538, it has been Hungary’s oldest continually operating higher education institution. For overseas students, the university offers a reputable English language curriculum. The university is home to around 6,000 international students. For social work lover students from all around the world, the institution provides two graduate programs in social work, one in health care and the other in social work and social economics.
10. University of Edinburgh
Scotland is home to the public research institution known as the University of Edinburgh. It has a variety of departments, including the Department of Social Work, which is the oldest in the UK and was ranked first in the country for the third consecutive year in the Complete University Guide 2021. Every year, the graduates from this school significantly improve the lives of clients of social work services. A career in mental health is another option if you want to help humanity as a whole.
11. Vilnius University
The first and biggest university in Lithuania, Vilnius University is a public research university that is also one of the most illustrious and prestigious higher education institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. It is currently the top research institution in Lithuania and is ranked in the top 29% of all higher education institutions worldwide. The school provides a master’s in social work to students from all around the world for about 4,730 euros a year in tuition. The goal of this study program is to develop skilled social work professionals who will pursue their goal of helping people in the future.
12. Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
The largest university of applied sciences in Finland is Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. It is another great choice for students looking to pursue a degree in Social Work from a top European university. The institution offers courses in four subject areas: technology, business, health care and social services, and culture. Moreover, the school offers social service courses for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees for students worldwide. Budget around 11,000 euros per year for undergraduate courses and 12,000 euros for graduate studies in social services if you are the one dreaming to attend Metropolia University and build a career in the field of social work.
13. Turku University of Applied Sciences
A multidisciplinary higher education institution, Turku University of Applied Sciences is situated in the southwest Finnish cities of Turku and Salo. In total, TUAS provides more than 70 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in four different disciplines of study. For international students, the university solely offers bachelor’s degrees in social work. The social services bachelor’s degree prepares students with a wide range of skills necessary for employment as social service professionals in the fields of social services, early childhood education, and wellness services.
14. University of Bath
England’s Bath is home to the University of Bath, a public research institution. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, the University of Bath is ranked 148th. Since it offers a top-notch educational program and facilities to students from all over the world, the institution is well-known and well-recognized on a global scale. The institution provides social work courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, so you can obtain a degree in the subject and begin your successful career in this area.
15. Coventry University
A public research university located in Coventry, England is called Coventry University. It is the fourth-largest institution in the UK and has the fastest rate of growth. Its two main campuses are located in central Coventry, where the majority of its operations are, and central London, where the emphasis is on business and management programs. To advance your professional knowledge and abilities and enable you to obtain a recognized social work qualification, the university offers top-notch bachelor’s and master’s programs in social work.
FAQS About Studying Social Work
Is Pursuing a Degree in Social Work Abroad Worth It?
If you are passionate about standing up for the underprivileged, speaking up for rights, or never backing down from a struggle for a society in need, then pursuing a degree in social work would be the perfect path for you.
Studying social work at a university in Europe will provide you the chance to learn alongside students from all over the world, develop your independence, and acquire the skills you need for the global market. Additionally, becoming a social worker allows you to develop transferable abilities, such as effective cooperation, problem-solving, and communication, that will be useful in a variety of different careers.
A few professions can give you the sense of contributing to society in the manner that social work can. ‘Helping others’ is just a small part of what social work entails. Choosing one of the 15 top European schools to continue your education in social work would be the first step if you wanted to dedicate your life to serving humanity.
We hope that this article on the best social work schools in Europe was helpful. You can also find more courses in our Europe Courses Page and scholarship opportunities on the Europe Scholarships Page!
