Postgraduate UGC Approved by UGC MSW

Master of Social Work MSW · 2 years

Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.

Master of Social Work course overview, eligibility, duration and progression options.

Am I eligible?
Duration
2 years
Entry after
Graduation
Entrance exam
CUET PG
Study mode
OnCampus
Licence
Not required
Overview

About this course

A professional social-work route. Compare supervised field placements, specialisations and safeguarding practice.

Indicative eligibility: A recognised bachelor degree; fieldwork or social-science preparation may be preferred.

Always verify the current official admission notification before applying.

01 · Overview

Course overview

A professional social-work route. Compare supervised field placements, specialisations and safeguarding practice.
02 · Eligibility and admission

Eligibility and admission

A recognised bachelor degree; fieldwork or social-science preparation may be preferred. Exact marks, subjects, age, entrance and selection rules vary by institution and admission year.
03 · More detail

What students and parents should verify

Check recognition, syllabus, faculty, facilities, practical exposure, total cost, refund rules, entrance process, progression and credible outcome evidence before admission.
04 · Where this leads

Where this can lead

Where people work.

  • Development organisations and large NGOs
  • Corporate CSR departments
  • UN and international agencies
  • Hospitals (medical social work)
  • Government welfare programmes
  • CSR consultancies

What you can study next.

  • M.Phil/Ph.D Social Work
  • UGC NET
  • Specialised counselling certification
  • Development management programmes
05 · Next steps

Cost, duration and indicative earnings

Indicative total course fee. Govt/University: about 20,000 - 1,50,000 total; Private: about 1,50,000 - 8,00,000 total.

Indicative starting salary. 30,000 - 60,000 per month.

Typical duration. 2 years.

Fees and salaries here are indicative ranges, not quotes. Confirm the current fee with the institution and treat the salary as a starting range that varies by employer and location.

Entry

Who can apply

1 route into this course.

QualificationStreamMinimumSubjects
Graduation Any — A recognised bachelor degree; fieldwork or social-science preparation may be preferred.

Percentages are indicative. Individual universities set their own cut-offs, and reserved-category relaxations differ by state and institution.

Admission

Entrance exams for this course

CUET PG
Accepted or institution-specific

An exam mapping does not mean every college accepts that exam. Check the current institution and examination notification before you apply.

Outcomes

Careers this course leads to

12 routes mapped from this qualification.

Social Worker
Works with individuals, families and communities to assess needs, coordinate support and strengthen wellbeing within professional boundaries.
Common route
CSR manager (corporate)
mandated CSR spend = jobs
Common route
Project Coordinator
Keeps a project's schedule, documentation, reporting and communication in order so that the people delivering it can. Found in construction, development programmes and social-sector projects alike.
Alternative route
Medical Social Worker
Helps patients and families deal with the non-clinical side of illness - money, schemes, discharge, housing and mental health - in a hospital or health programme. Reached through BSW or MSW.
Alternative route
Counsellor
Provides guidance and therapeutic support. Scope of practice depends on qualification; clinical work requires RCI registration.
Alternative route
NGO programme manager
₹4–15 LPA
Alternative route
Public health officer (govt, WHO, UNICEF)
programme management
Alternative route
Counsellor (schools, de-addiction)
certification helps
Alternative route
Rehabilitation & special education
RCI approved courses
Alternative route
Rural development / govt schemes
NRLM, UNICEF projects
Alternative route
Data & policy analyst
Stata, R, Python
Alternative route
HR Executive
Handles recruitment, onboarding, payroll and employee relations. Accessible from MBA HR, MSW and general graduate backgrounds.
Alternative route

A course supports eligibility and preparation. It never guarantees a particular job.

Pathways

Before and after this course

Courses that lead here

B.Sc Psychology
Direct · Alternative route
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Direct · Typical route
Questions

Common questions

Who can apply for Master of Social Work?

Bachelor's degree in any discipline; BSW preferred. Admission is through CUET PG, TISS entrance, University entrance.

How long does Master of Social Work take?

2 years. Full-time; distance or online mode only where the university holds specific UGC-DEB approval.

What does Master of Social Work cost?

Govt/University: about 20,000 - 1,50,000 total; Private: about 1,50,000 - 8,00,000 total. These are indicative ranges, not quotes. Confirm the current fee with the institution.

What can I study after Master of Social Work?

M.Phil/Ph.D Social Work, UGC NET, Specialised counselling certification, Development management programmes.