Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work at University of Malta

The overall aim of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work programme is to equip students with the necessary social work knowledge, values and skills required to practise as a social worker. This is done through the teaching of a variety of study units, some of which are theory based and others which are practice based. Since the course is generic in nature it seeks to provide students with knowledge, skills and abilities which will lend themselves useful in any practice setting. In addition, the programme is the only route in Malta through which individuals can enter the social work profession, and therefore an important aim of the programme is to expose students to different social work settings in Malta and Gozo. This is primarily done through the placements which students carry out during the course, but also through other tasks set by different study units.

Learning outcomes

Individuals who follow the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work programme are educated into the profession of social work. They gain the necessary knowledge, values and skills which any person who wishes to pursue social work as a career is required to possess. Through the knowledge, values and skills taught, they shall be equipped to work with vulnerable individuals in society, to appreciate diversity and individuality and to identify strengths in people and communities, seek to develop those strengths and build on them.

Career opportunites and access to further studies

Persons who acquire a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work have the opportunity to work within different social work settings. Some of these settings include children and family settings, the drug and alcohol sectors, the disability sector, community settings, health and mental health settings, working with the elderly, working with asylum seekers and refugees and various residential settings.

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work allows students access to different Masters Programmes both locally and overseas. Of particular significance is the fact that in October 2009 the first Masters in Social Work Programme began to be offered by the University of Malta’s Department of Social Policy and Social Work.