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Last Updated: 26 Jun 2025

Social Work

Acquire essential skills to empower individuals, families and communities through hands-on placements and projects. Be a compassionate and resourceful changemaker ready to lead social cause and pursue further studies in social work or related fields. This course also offers overseas learning opportunities and partnerships with leading healthcare and social service agencies.

Course code : C47
Nanyang Polytechnic
Admission type: JAE , DAE , Poly EAE , PFP
2025 JAE ELR2B2-A net aggregate: 9-14
Course duration : 3 years

Learn more on:

Course details

Field of study Humanities
Certification offered

Diploma in Social Work
Learn more about the course

Minimum entry requirement

You must meet the respective examination requirements in order for us to consider your application.

For N(A)-Level students seeking admission through PFP

This course is under the Humanities, Art, Media and Business cluster

Subject Grade
English Language Syllabus A 1-3
Mathematics Syllabus A / Additional Mathematics 1-3

Any 1 relevant subject:
  • Art
  • Geography
  • History
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Geography)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, History)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English)
  • Literature in English
  • Principles of Accounts
 1-3

Any 2 other subjects excluding CCA
1-4
For O-Level students seeking admission through JAE
Subject Grade
English Language 1-6
Additional Mathematics or Mathematics 1-7

Any one of the 1st group of Relevant Subjects for the ELR2B2-A Aggregate Type
  • Art
  • Business Studies
  • Combined Humanities
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Higher Art
  • Higher Music
  • History
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in Chinese)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in Malay)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in Tamil)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, History)
  • Humanities (Social Studies, Geography)
  • Intro to Enterprise Development
  • Literature in English
  • Literature in Chinese
  • Literature in Malay
  • Literature in Tamil
  • Media Studies (English)
  • Media Studies (Chinese)
  • Music
 1-6

Course modules

Year 1

Core modules

  • Social Work Profession & Practice
  • Casework Fundamentals
  • Psychology in Social Work Practice
  • Self-Awareness & Resilience
  • Basic Counselling Skills
  • Ethics in Practice
  • Global Social Issues
  • Groupwork Intervention
  • Casework for Children, Youth, Seniors & Families
  • Casework in Disability, Healthcare and Correctional Services
  • Research and Innovation in Social Work Practice
  • Crisis Intervention

Complementary electives

  • General Studies
Year 2

Core modules

  • Programme Needs Assessment
  • Programme Implementation Project
  • Community Assessments & Evaluation
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Diversity Awareness & Management
  • Casework Practice
  • Engaging Challenging Clients
  • Field Placement 1

Complementary electives

  • General Studies
Year 3

Core modules

  • Community Engagement Project
  • Field Placement II

Internship

Internship duration 24 weeks in 2 blocks of 9 and 15 weeks
Internship timeframe Year 2 & Year 3

Career prospects

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to join the Singapore Association of Social Workers as an associate member. Social work associates are always in demand in Singapore due to a rapidly ageing population, widening income gap and changing family support systems.

Employment is available in areas such as:

  • Family services: family service centres, family violence specialist centres, and social service offices
  • Children and youth services: Youth centres, student care centres, child protection specialist centres, homes for children
  • Eldercare services: Senior activity centres, dementia day care centres, and caregiver support centres
  • Disability services: Early intervention centres, special schools, sheltered workshops, vocational training centres, disability hostels
  • Correctional services: Juvenile homes, halfway houses, aftercare agencies, and prisons
  • Healthcare services: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centres and hospices

You can also find employment as a social work associate, programme executive, home team officer, community development officer, intervention and case management officer.

Use resources and interactive tools that are available on MySkillsFuture Portal to explore various education and career pathways.

How to register

Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)

You may register using the JAE Internet System (JAE-IS). Learn the process and how to apply.

Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE)

You may apply through the respective polytechnics’ websites. Learn the process and how to apply.

Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (Poly EAE)

You may register using the Poly EAE Portal. Learn the process and how to apply.

Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)

You may register using the PFPAE Portal. Learn the process and how to apply.