The faculty of humanities provides a comprehensive guide to the field of Social Development and Social Work and the different career options available to prospective and/or current students. Please consult the webpage for more information.

Undergraduate Programmes

The Social Development Major
Bachelor of Social Science or Bachelor of Arts in

* The Social Development Major does not lead to professional registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions.

The Social Work Programme

Postgraduate Degrees

Honours Programmes
BA/BSocSci Hons specialising in Probation and Correctional Practice
BA/BSocSci Hons specialising in Social Development
BA/BSocSci Hons specialising in Social Policy and Management
BA/BSocSci Hons specialising in Clinical Social Work

Masters Programmes
Coursework Master’s specialising in Probation and Correctional Practice
Coursework Master’s specialising in Social Development
Coursework Master’s specialising in Social Policy and Management
Coursework Master’s specialising in Clinical Social Work
Research Master’s specialising in Social Development
Research Master’s specialising in Social Planning and Administration
Research Master’s specialising in Social Work

Doctorate Programmes
PhD specialising in Social Work
PhD in Social Development

  • UNDERGRADUATE STUDY AND RESEARCH

    Bursaries South Africa
    This website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries for prospective and/or current law students.

  • PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

    The Association of South African Social Work Education Institutions (ASASWEI)
    ASASWEI     is an association of schools of social work, other tertiary level social work educational programmes, and social work educators. ASASWEI promotes the development of social work education throughout South Africa, develops standards to enhance quality of social work education, encourages international exchange, provides forums for sharing social work research and scholarship, and promotes human rights and social development through policy and advocacy activities.

    The International Association for Social Work with Groups
    The International Association for Social Work with Groups is the premier international association for social workers and allied helping professionals engaged in group work. Members include group workers from Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Namibia, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad-Tobago, and U.S. Their South African chapter is based in Pretoria. They provide various resources, professional information, career information and run various projects.

    The National Association of Social Workers (NASWA- SA) KEY RESOURCE
    NASWA- SA is a voluntary organization which supports the professional development of Social Workers, Social Auxiliary Workers and Social Work and Social Auxiliary Work Students in South Africa. NASWA-SA hosts conferences and workshops. It provides career information, information on professional practice, valuable resources and links.

    South African Association of Social Workers in Private Practice (SAASWIPP) KEY RESOURCE
    SAASWIPP co-ordinates and promotes the activities of social workers in private practice, and to set and maintain professional standards. SAASWIPP hosts event and provides a ‘social work finder’, valuable resources and links.

    South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) KEY RESOURCE
    The SACSSP is a statutory body which has the primary focus of developing as well as protecting the integrity of the social service professions, as well as the interest of the public at large. SACSSP hosts event and provides publication, professional information, valuable resources and links.

    South African Oncology Social Workers’ Forum (SAOSWF)
    SAOSWF is a group of social workers, who practice in State funded settings, in private oncology practices, in palliative care environments and some members are independent practitioners. SAOSWF hosts various events and provide valuable resources and links.

  • SECTOR INSIGHTS

    Aljazeera
    Aljazeera provides news, analysis from the Middle East & worldwide, multimedia & interactives, opinions, documentaries, podcasts and long reads.

    The Social Worker KEY RESOURCE
    The Social Worker is an international social work careers magazine, which provides practical articles on social work students, social work ethics, field placement, practice issues, practice specialties, technology in social work, book reviews, and more.

  • PREPARING FOR THE JOB MARKET

    Access graduate jobs and internships by logging into MyCareer if you are a UCT student. Be sure to set up job email alerts and check our website regularly for news and events.

    South African and African Jobs

    Department of Correctional Services
    The department of correctional services has information regarding vacancies and bursaries.

    Department of Social Development KEY RESOURCE
    The department of social development has information regarding vacancies and bursaries.

    DST-NRF Internship Programme 2019/20
    The National Research Foundation (NRF) is responsible for the management of the DST-NRF Internship Programme in which unemployed Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) graduates and postgraduates (including those in Social Sciences and Humanities) are offered an opportunity to acquire practical work experience through mentoring and exposure to a research environment. Only South African university graduates with Bachelors, Honours, BTech, MTech or Master’s degrees may apply. Interns will receive a monthly salary ranging between R6 070 and R8 050 per month, depending on the level of qualification.

    GovPage KEY RESOURCE
    A free website dedicated to advertising all available Southern African Governments Vacancies including health. Also includes information on Tenders/Quotations and Public Notices/Campaigns. Covers National Government, Provincial Government, Municipal Government, Public Entities and Tertiary Institution, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and International Agencies.

    Advertised information is provided by the relevant Government structures and authorities but govpage.co.za is not the official website of any government organisation.

    The Provincial Government Handbook Website KEY RESOURCE
    This website provides information related to tenders and vacancies for each provincial government in South Africa. The links directly redirect you to the official provincial vacancy website.

    South African and African Career Service and Recruitment Agencies

    In terms of the film career in South Africa it is suggested that you join an agency and have an agent to secure roles and jobs more easily. Please note that recruitment agencies and employers’ firms should never ask you to pay for the promise of a job. Please be aware of this.

    Careers24
    Careers24 is a job search agency, advertising various positions.

    Indeed
    Indeed is a job search agency, advertising various positions.

    Grad Connection
    Grad Connection is a specialist recruitment agency operating in South Africa for graduates, providing information on career guidance, job vacancies, bursaries and internships.

    JobVine
    JobVine is a job search agency, advertising various positions.

    International Jobs

    Higher Ed Jobs
    Higher Ed Jobs is a comprehensive international job website for graduates.

    Idealist KEY RESOURCE
    Idealist is a comprehensive international job website for those interested in social, political and community development.

    UN Jobs KEY RESOURCE
    UN Jobs is a comprehensive international job website within the United Nations, advertising various vacancies.

    Country Specific International Career Service and Recruitment Agencies

    Europe

    Euro Brussels
    Euro Brussels is a European-based job website.

    UK and Ireland

    Careers Group
    Careers Group is a UK career service and provides career guidance and international job vacancies.

    GradIreland KEY RESOURCE
    GradIreland is a careers publication company and works in partnership with tertiary education institutions across Ireland. They advertise jobs in Ireland and are a comprehensive career guidance website.

    Irish Jobs
    Irish Jobs is an Ireland-based job website, advertising various positions.

    Prospects KEY RESOURCE
    Prospects provides careers advice and job and course opportunities to students and graduates.

    Target Jobs KEY RESOURCE
    Target Jobs is a comprehensive career guidance and job website for the UK.

    USA and Canada

    Jobs.net
    Jobs.net is a US-based job website, advertising various positions.

    Journalism Jobs
    Jobs.net is a US-based job website, advertising various positions in journalism.

    Australia

    Ethical Jobs
    Ethical Jobs is an Australian-based job website, advertising various positions in social work.

  • INTERNATIONAL & LOCAL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

    NGOs and NPOs are both involved in community-based initiatives but are structured differently. A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level. A non-profit organisation (NPO) is a trust, company or other association of persons established for a public purpose and of which its income and property are not distributable to its members or office bearers, except as reasonable compensation for services rendered. Registering as a NPO enhances credibility for government funding and every non-profit organisation (NPO) in South Africa is issued an NPO number.
    http://www.dsd.gov.za/npo/

    Please research carefully the volunteer organisation you decide to work with.

    African Legend
    African Legend, located in Cape Town, is a non-profit organization that provides educational programmes for youths living in poverty. Volunteer opportunities are available, with positions such as voluntary teachers and soccer and cricket coaches needed.

    AIESEC
    AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. It has a wide-range of international volunteer and internship opportunities available.

    The Gender, Health and Justice Research Unit (GHJRU)
    The GHJRU is an interdisciplinary research unit that unites scholars, NGOs and practitioners in pursuit of the elimination of violence against women and children in Southern Africa (and beyond). It has unpaid internships at its centre for scholars and activists.

    Greenpeace
    Greenpeace is an international, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protests and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. They have various international projects and volunteer opportunities.

    Habitat for Humanity
    Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-governmental, and non-profit organization, which brings people together to build homes and communities. Projects are available worldwide.

    International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)
    IVHQ is a volunteer travel company focused on providing affordable volunteer travel experiences. They provide volunteer abroad projects in over 30 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, South America and the Pacific in teaching, childcare, construction, conservation or healthcare.

    My Hands and Heart
    My Hands and Heart is a non-profit organisation in South Africa, which acts as a volunteer management network and advertises a range of local volunteer opportunities.

    NGO PULSE KEY RESOURCE
    NGO Pulse, a NGO network, provides a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities, organisations and networks in South Africa.

    TEACH South Africa
    Teach South Africa is a non-profit organisation that aims to respond to challenges in the education sector by recruiting, training, placing and supporting young excellent graduates to improve quality in education for every child in South Africa irrespective of their socio-economic background. Graduates are encouraged to apply to be volunteer mentors and tutors.

  • POSTGRADUATE STUDY AND RESEARCH

    This information covers government funding initiatives, links to all higher education institutes in South Africa and some relevant education based websites in South Africa and the UK/USA.

    Africa/Global

    Masters

    Masters Studies
    International site, search by country, useful but not comprehensive.

    Masters Portal
    International site, search by country, useful and comprehensive.

    Find a Masters
    International site, search by country. Useful. Contains information regarding funding and postgraduate open days.

    PhDs

    PhD Studies
    International website, search by country, useful but not comprehensive.

    Find a PhD
    International website, search by country, institution and subject. Contains information regarding funding.

    PhD Portal
    International website, search by country, useful and comprehensive.

    Doc Links
    An international website aimed at increasing understanding and establishing better links between African and European doctoral candidates. Provides useful information regarding funding, mentorship, research support, PhD resources and networking opportunities.

    UCT Doctoral Applicants Webpage KEY RESOURCE
    See for more details of PhD opportunities across the faculties and how to apply  

    Association of Commonwealth Universities KEY RESOURCE
    A site search for ‘vacancies’ provides links to sites for seeking job opportunities in Commonwealth universities, including all SADC countries except Angola and Congo.

    See additional resources on academic postgraduate opportunities. Particularly useful for Masters considering Doctorate study and PhD researcher/early career post docs.

    South Africa

    South African Department of Higher Education and Training KEY RESOURCE
    Go to institutions for a list of public universities then research courses via online prospectus.

    South African Department of Higher Education and Training KEY RESOURCE
    Use search function for “register of private higher education institutions” then research courses via online prospectus.

    National Research Foundation
    The NRF was established in 1998 from the amalgamated of the Centre for Science Development (CSD), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) and is a good website for staying up-to-date with research initiatives/centres, job and funding opportunities.

    Universities South Africa  (previously HESA)
    Universities South Africa, formerly known as Higher Education South Africa (HESA), is a membership organisation representing South Africa’s universities. The new name was launched on 22 July 2015 in order to reposition the organisation as a representative body of South Africa’s public universities, that aims to promote a more inclusive, responsive and equitable national system of higher education.

    SA Bursaries KEY RESOURCE
    A comprehensive website outlining various bursaries in South Africa across different disciplines.

    UK

    Postgraduate Information
    Good website for finding UK based Masters with useful “insight” articles but limited information on opportunities worldwide.

    USA/Canada

    http://www.usastudyguide.com/how-to-choose-a-college.htm

    www.graduateguide.com
    These are websites which provide directories of graduate schools in the USA and Canada and information regarding programmes, funding, immigration and other resources.

  • COMPETITIONS AND ENTREPREURSHIP

    Student Competitions KEY RESOURCE
    This is an international and up-to-date website which allows you to search for competitions for university students.

  • DIVERSITY IN HUMANITIES & EMPLOYMENT

    UCT is committed to the principles of diversity and transformation, specifically a transformed university where there are no stereotypical views of others based on their gender, race or disability.

    Diversity-related Professional Bodies and Associations

    Black Business Council (BBC)
    The BBC lobbies government on policy advocacy in order to accelerate the participation of black South Africans in the mainstream economy. They organize various programmes, events and provide up-to-date news in their industry.

    Black Management Forum (BMF)
    The BMF develops and empowers managerial leadership primarily amongst black people within organisations and the creation of managerial structures and processes which reflect the demographics and values of the wider society. They provide managerial and leadership development, research services, consulting, resources, news, links and host events.

    Business Women's Association (BWA) of South Africa
    The BWA is a non-profit and voluntary organisation, which is also the largest association of business and professional women in South Africa. They provide awards, events, news and networking opportunities.

    Gay and Lesbian Network (GLN)
    The GLN is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) based in KwaZulu-Natal, which has workshops, events, outreach programmes and valuable resources and links.

    National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA)
    NCPPDSA is a national, non-profit organisation (NPO) that runs various projects, services and advocacy programmes for the advancement of persons with disabilities to attain integration into society and independence. The NCPPDSA acts as the national umbrella for nine provincial associations with their 90+ branches. 

    Diversity-related Services, Awards and Scholarships

    UCT provides various services and resources related to diversity and transformation. See the links below.

    UCT Disability Centre
    The UCT Disability Service works towards the removal of any physical, policy, information and attitude barriers that might prevent students and staff from fulfilling their potential. The centre provides information regarding different forms of support, resources, bursaries, funding opportunities, advocacy, counselling, academic and examination accommodations, technical assistance and other services.

    UCT Funding Boards
    Please check the postgraduate funding boards (http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/funding/postgraduate/notice/) and undergraduate funding boards (http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/funding/undergraduate/financial/) currently on the UCT website for up-to-date details on other diversity-related scholarships, fellowships and bursaries.

    UCT- Harvard Mandela Fellowships
    This fellowship is intended to strengthen connections between the W.E.B. Du Bois Research Institute (at the Hutchins Centre for African and African American Research, Harvard University) and UCT, to provide opportunities for UCT staff to gain international experience, and to support the professional advancement of academics working particularly, but not only, in the humanities and social sciences. To be eligible, applicants must have been awarded the PhD degree at the time of application, and have permanent or T3 academic posts at UCT. In line with UCT’s equity objectives, preference will be given to applicants from the designated groups, with particular emphasis on black South African applicants.

    List of Scholarships for African Women and Developing Countries
    Afterschool Africa provides an up-to-date and comprehensive list of scholarships (undergraduate, Masters, MBA, PhD and Postdoctoral) that are open for women from African and developing countries.

    Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMF)
    The MMF awards education grants to women from developing countries to help further their education and strengthen their leadership skills.

    Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Programme (MMUF)
    MMUF is an equity-inspired program that is awarded to highly performing Black students who are entering the final year of a three-year first degree or the third year of a four-year professional degree from the sciences and humanities at UCT and other participating undergraduate institutions. The program offers financial support, organized mentoring and is designed specifically to provide students with a greater awareness of what it means to be an academic. 

    Mwalimu Nyerere African Union (AU) Scholarship Scheme
    The AU scholarship is only for applicants with physical disabilities for masters in social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, education sciences and sports sciences and closes in March annually.

    National Research Foundation (NRF)
    The NRF provides various postgraduate funding bursaries and scholarships. Preference is given to equity candidates.

    Opportunities for Africans (OFA) KEY RESOURCE
    The OFA is an online information platform that seeks to connect Africans to opportunities, such as scholarships, internships, fellowships, bursaries, conferences, jobs, competitions and volunteering positions. This is a comprehensive and up-to-date website.

    Scholarships for Women
    This website provides comprehensive information regarding scholarships, awards and funding opportunities for women.

    The description regarding UCT’s policy towards diversity in engineering and employment is sourced from the UCT Disability Service Page (https://www.uct.ac.za/main/explore-uct/transformation) and the Transformation at UCT Page (http://www.uct.ac.za/about/transformation/).