Social Work
Master's degree, part-time
In the Master's programme in Social Work, you will deepen your expertise in the professional support of people facing complex life situations. The course places a strong focus on current social changes, mental health, and practical, real-world solutions that make a difference in everyday life. You will have the opportunity to specialise in one of two dynamic fields: Clinical Social Work or Community-Based Social Work.
Upon completion of the programme, a wide range of career paths will be open to you. In Clinical Social Work, you will support individuals experiencing psychological distress and help them reintegrate into society. In Community-Based Social Work, you will play an active role in shaping social environments and promoting inclusion and social justice—right where people live and work.
The degree programme Social Work in detail
| Designation | Social Work | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level of qualification according to the national and European Qualifications Framework |
Master (2nd cycle) | ||
| Qualification awarded | Master of Arts in Social Sciences, MA | ||
| Field of study according to ISCED-F code | 0923 - Social work and counselling | ||
| Mode of study | Part-time studies | ||
| Length of programme (standard period of study) | 4 semesters | ||
| Semester dates | Friday noon to Friday evening, Saturday full day, in the 1st semester Thursday evening online - courses, face-to-face classes as part of Contextual Studies - Thursday evening or 2 block weeks per semester | ||
| Number of credits | 120 ECTS | ||
| Languages of instruction | German, individual courses in English | ||
| Mobility window | Semester abroad in the 4th semester possible; Credit for international conference participation by arrangement |
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| Academic calendar | To academic-calendar | ||
| Examination regulations and grading scale | To examination regulations and the grading scale | ||
| Final examination | Final master's examination | ||
| Cost |
Currently no tuition fees, obligatory ÖH fee |
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| Start of study | Mid-September | ||
| Specific admission requirements | General university entrance qualification or equivalent See admission requirements |
The 120 ECTS credits are distributed across 4 semesters and include compulsory modules, elective specialisations, and the Master's thesis.
- Elective specialisation: You choose your elective specialisation from the following areas in the 1st semester and thus determine the subjects of the following semesters.
- Clinical Social Work
- Comnunity-based Social Work
- CS (Context Studies): Selection of 1 or 2 modules amounting to 12 ETCS (we recommend 6 ECTS per semester) ▷ More information.
- EN: Study Course in Englisch
- E: Elective course: In the 4th semester you choose an elective course amounting to 4 ECTS.
- ECTS: Credit points according to the "European Credit Transfer System". In accordance with international standards, 120 ECTS points must be earned over 4 semesters.
Course content in detail
- CS: Contextual studies
- ECTS: Performance points according to the "European Credit Transfer System". According to international standards, 180 ECTS points must be earned over 6 semesters.
Career opportunities after graduation
Depending on your chosen specialisation, a range of exciting career paths will be open to you after graduation.
In Clinical Social Work, you will work at the intersection of psychosocial support and the healthcare system. Possible fields of employment include psychiatric hospitals, psychosocial counselling centres, addiction support services, and community mental health services. In these settings, you will provide professional support to individuals with mental health conditions, addiction issues, or psychosocial crises—playing a key role in their stabilisation and reintegration into society.
Community-Based Social Work offers the opportunity to actively shape social participation. You might work in areas such as neighbourhood development, community management, or municipal social planning. Your tasks will include analysing social structures, developing tailored services for diverse target groups, and promoting equal opportunities, civic engagement, and social justice. The close collaboration with residents, civil society actors, and political decision-makers makes this field especially dynamic and full of potential for meaningful impact.
In addition, your degree qualifies you to pursue further academic studies, such as a doctoral or PhD programme at a university.
Voices about the study
Admission and Application
- Completed Bachelor's degree or diploma in Social Work as well as Social Pedagogy, or
- Diploma of at least 3 years of Social Work Academy (access without or with conditions after examination by the programme director), or
- Degree of an equivalent degree (social sciences or humanities)
to the extent of at least 180 ECTS at a recognised post-secondary educational institution for which admission requires the general university entrance qualification and which is recognised as a post-secondary educational institution on the basis of the legislation of the state in which it is located. The exception is the access through the diploma of the Academy of Social Work of at least 3 years (180 ECTS) in conjunction with relevant professional experience.
You have a degree in the social sciences or humanities?
With a bachelor's degree in social sciences or humanities, we review your skills analogous to the designated competence areas. With relevant work experience in a social fields of action of Social Work of at least 1,500 hours you gain access to the study without conditions. This work experience must be proven by a certificate of employment or an employer reference letter as an upload in the online application. In individual cases, the programme director decides on the relevance of your work experience and on your basic knowledge.
You lack the necessary work experience?
Even then, admission is possible. However, the programme director can impose conditions on you (e.g. by requiring you to attend additional relevant courses). If you can provide no or only little evidence of your competence, the FHV or Schloss Hofen will offer you recognised advanced training courses on relevant topics.
Proof of German and English language at level B2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Languages). More infos here.
Applications open from 15 November via our online application portal:
Application Period I: 15 November – 1 March
Apply by 1 March to benefit from an early admission decision.
Application Period II: until 31 May
You can apply for all study programmes regularly until 31 May.
Application Period III: until 31 August
Some programmes may still offer individual places until 31 August.
Important information:
The application deadline for applicants from third countries (non-EU/non-EEA, except Switzerland) is 1 March.
Required documents for your application:
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Letter of motivation
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CV in tabular form
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School leaving certificate (e.g. A-levels, Matura, or equivalent)
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Passport or national ID card
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Recent portrait photo
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Proof of language proficiency
If some certificates or exam results are not yet available at the time of your application, you may submit them later.
Step 1:
Assessment of your complete application documents, your prior education, and relevant experience.
Step 2:
In a personal interview, we get to know you better – your goals, your motivation, and your reasons for choosing this degree programme.
As part of the admission process for this Master's programme, your previous professional experience will be taken into account. The following will be recognised as relevant professional experience:
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A relevant degree in Social Work (Bachelor’s or Diploma),
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Relevant professional employment with a qualification lasting at least six months,
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Professional experience in a social work field without a formal qualification, provided it lasted at least six months,
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Periods of employment, child-rearing, or caregiving for relatives—each lasting at least six months.
Only experiences from the past five years will be considered. Each period of professional activity must have lasted a minimum of six consecutive months. Experience dating back more than five years will not be recognised and should not be included in your online application.
Please document your professional experience directly in the online application and provide a chronological CV covering the past five years. Your CV must clearly state the field of work, your role, the exact time period, and the scope of your employment (percentage of full-time equivalent). All activities listed in the CV must be supported by uploaded documentation in your application (e.g. employment references, confirmation letters). Only verified professional experience will be awarded points during the admission process.
The following will not be recognised as professional experience:
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Employment periods shorter than six consecutive months,
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Other periods of academic study,
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Mandatory internships completed as part of school-based education or undergraduate studies.
Special provisions: Verified prior learning and coursework completed in master degree programmes at colleges and universities may be given credit for individual courses on an individual basis at the start of the programme. This decision is at the discretion of the programme director.
General Regulations on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Do you have any further questions regarding your studies?
Please feel free to contact us directly for consultation:
| Friday | 09:00 - 11:30 AM | 1:00 - 3:00 PM |
or individual appointment
