Master of Social Work

Qualification code:	98630
Qualification type:	Full Research
NQF level:	9
Total credits:	180
SAQA ID:	109540
Rules: The curriculum consists of a dissertation that incorporates a research proposal to be completed within the first year of study.
Purpose statement: The purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifiers with advanced research skills in a chosen field of social work. The competencies to access, analyse, process, transform and critically evaluate existing knowledge in order to achieve an integrated synthesis of the research field. The knowledge and skills to engage in independent social work research, selecting from a range of appropriate research designs, technologies, methods and techniques in the chosen focus area of social work. The ability to produce and communicate the research findings. This qualification also allows access to continuation of learning on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 10, namely the Doctor of Social Work.

Who can register?

Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students must please check their myLife e-mails for confirmation. New Unisa students will receive confirmation via the e-mail address they provided at the time of application.
Re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) and students who officially deferred their studies must register online during the approved registration period for 2026.
Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for admission during the next application period or check whether the qualification for which you intend to apply is on the list of qualifications that you can apply for until the end of June 2026.

Registration opens	Registration opens	Registration closes	Final date for payment
Master's & doctoral qualifications	7 January 2026	31 March 2026	31 March 2026
MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications * All GSBL students with a 7-series student number should contact the Graduate School of Business Leadership for assistance with re-registration: www.unisa.ac.za/sbl	7 January 2026	21 February 2026	21 February 2026

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.14 and 4.15 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.

Coursework master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
Research master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
Doctoral degree: A maximum of six years with an option to apply for one additional year.

Both you and your supervisor are responsible for ensuring that you complete your studies within the approved duration for your qualification.

Unisa has identified the following 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) to be operationalised within the colleges:

If you are interested in any of these areas, please discuss it with your supervisor to incorporate one or more of the CNAs into your studies.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Module (Please click on the module to see further information)	Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Fifth level. Compulsory
DFSWK91 - Dissertation: Social Work

Module (Please click on the module to see further information)

Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation

Fifth level. Compulsory

DFSWK91 - Dissertation: Social Work