Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (FH Salzburg) is expanding its degree programme in the field of social work. From autumn 2025, students will be able to complete the Bachelor's degree programme full-time as well as part-time. Also new from autumn 2025: the option to specialise in ‘Digital Social Work’.
Social workers support, advise and accompany individuals, families, groups or entire communities in overcoming social problems, conflicts and difficult life situations. They are involved in building social structures that stabilise societies, mitigate injustice and resolve social conflicts as constructively as possible. At the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, comprehensive knowledge and skills as well as practical methods are taught in the Bachelor's degree programme in Social Work.
Study places almost more than doubled
Throughout Austria - and especially in the province of Salzburg - there is currently a shortage of social work specialists. For this reason, additional training places have been approved nationwide: At the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, there will now be 100 beginner study places available from the coming academic year - instead of the previous 55 - which corresponds to a near doubling. This will enable more interested students to begin a sound education in social work. ‘We are delighted to be able to expand our range of study places in order to meet current needs. The curriculum of the Bachelor of Social Work programme has been updated and corresponds to the national core curriculum for social work,' explains Daniela Molzbichler, Department Head of Applied Social Sciences.
Also new from 2025/26: the Bachelor of Social Work will also be offered in full-time mode from autumn. This option is also aimed at people without specific professional experience. The ‘part-time’ option will continue to be offered, with teaching taking place at off-peak times and in weekend blocks or as self-study.
Lots of practical experience and individual specialisation
Whether full-time or part-time, practical experience is a central component of the degree programme. Compulsory work placements offer students the opportunity to gain practical insights into social work, gain professional experience and apply the skills they have learnt. Close supervision by both the practice organisations and the university of applied sciences ensures intensive and targeted learning in practice.
In the third year of study, students can choose a specialisation. In addition to the two existing specialisations ‘Childhood, Youth and Family’ and ‘Social Inequality and Social Space’, there will also be a specialisation in ‘Digital Social Work’ from the autumn.
Challenges and opportunities of the digital transformation in social work
Just as the world we live in is changing, there are also changing conditions in the field of social work: ‘More and more areas are shifting to the “digital world” - both for clients and for social workers,’ reports Martin Lu Kolbinger, head of the degree programme. There are expanded subject areas and fields of action such as cyberbullying, digital media in education or in democracy education. On the other hand, the technology is used by social workers as an extension of their counselling services. Kolbinger: ‘The digital space offers opportunities for community building and dialogue. For some clients, it is less of a hurdle to use an online service than to visit a counselling centre in person.’
Digital tools also enable greater networking between social work stakeholders: this is increasingly being used across Europe and internationally. The modules and courses in the new Digital Social Work specialisation are therefore held in English.
Applications for the coming academic year are open until 15 May 2025.
Facts about the Bachelor of Social Work:
- 2 types of organisation: full-time (25 study places) or part-time (75 study places)
- Specialisations to choose from: ‘Childhood, Youth and Family’, ‘Social Inequality and Social Space’, ‘Digital Social Work’ (in English)
- Application possible until 15 May 2025
- Information at www.fh-salzburg.ac.at/soza