Master in Social Work [MSW]

The Master of Social Work [MSW] at Assam Don Bosco University [ADBU], Guwahati is a 2-year (4-semester) full-time postgraduate programme offered under the Department of Social Work, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the Tapesia Campus. The programme is approved under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act and offers specialisations in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, Family and Child Welfare, Child Centred Social Work Practice, Community Development, and Management of Development Organizations. Total fees for the programme amount to Rs 1,86,000 (excluding hostel), with an intake of 90 seats. The MSW at ADBU is particularly popular among students from Northeast India and is known for its strong fieldwork component, international collaborations, and community engagement activities.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are currently open. Applications can be submitted online at erp.dbuniversity.ac.in. Based on the previous year's pattern, classes for new admissions typically commence in July/August 2026. Unlike most other PG programmes at ADBU, MSW requires candidates to appear for a written Entrance Test followed by a Personal Interview. The Entrance Test details are communicated personally by the Admission Office after the application is submitted.

Key Points

• Five specialisations available: Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, Family and Child Welfare, Child Centred Social Work Practice, Community Development, and Management of Development Organizations
• Unique blend of theory, fieldwork, and research, with supervised fieldwork placements forming a core component of the curriculum
• Students selected for Erasmus+ International Mobility Programme 2026, and faculty participating in Erasmus+ Staff Mobility at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Germany
• International fieldwork placements available, with inbound students from Finland also placed at ADBU for fieldwork
• Service Learning-cum-Rural Practicum is a key experiential learning component
• The department organises international conferences, including the International Conference on Governance and Policies: Reimagining Development Pathways (March 2026)
• Provisional admission available for applicants who have not yet obtained their Bachelor's degree (subject to furnishing proof within 3 months of programme commencement)

ADBU MSW Fees

Fee Structure

• The Caution Deposit of Rs 10,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the university, subject to no dues.
• Hostel accommodation is available at the Tapesia Campus (optional, not mandatory).
• Hostel fees are charged separately and are not included in the above total.
• Students are advised to contact the university directly for current hostel fee details (Superintendent of Hostels, Tapesia Campus: +91 81340 12348).
• Fees can be paid via UPI (PayTM/GooglePay/BHIM), Netbanking, or NEFT to the university's Axis Bank account (IFSC: UTIB0001297, A/c No: 922010003253218).
• No fees are accepted in cash or cheque.
• The Application Fee is Rs 600 (non-refundable), payable at the time of submitting the online application.
• Admission Fees are non-refundable once paid.

ADBU MSW Admission 2026

ADBU MSW Admission Dates

Relevant Entrance Exam Dates

• ADBU conducts its own Entrance Test for MSW admissions.
• CUET-PG is not a mandatory requirement for admission to ADBU's MSW programme.
• The university's own Entrance Test and Personal Interview are the primary selection criteria.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Graduation in any stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a UGC-recognised university
• Candidates with a background in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Sociology, Home Science, or Human Resource Management will have an advantage
• Provisional admission is available for applicants who have not yet received their Bachelor's degree results, subject to furnishing proof of eligibility within 3 months of programme commencement

Admission Process

• Download the prospectus from the official ADBU website (dbuniversity.ac.in) free of cost
• Register on the online application portal at erp.dbuniversity.ac.in using a valid email ID
• Fill in the application form, select MSW as the programme, and submit
• Pay the application fee of Rs 600 via UPI/Netbanking/NEFT
• The Admission Office will schedule the Entrance Test and Personal Interview and communicate the details personally
• Appear for the Entrance Test and Personal Interview on the scheduled date at the Tapesia Campus
• Admission is granted based on past academic record and performance at the Entrance Test and Personal Interview
• On the day of admission, produce original marksheets, proof of date of birth, and caste/community certificate (if applicable)
• Pay the admission fees (non-refundable) by 5:00 PM on the day of admission; balance fees within 7 days

ADBU MSW Scholarships 2026

Available Scholarships

• Scholarship applications are typically processed at the time of admission or within the first semester.
• Students must apply separately for each scholarship scheme through the university's scholarship portal.
• Conditions, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines for each scheme are available at dbuniversity.ac.in/scholarships.php.
• In addition to university scholarships, students may also apply for state government scholarships (e.g., Assam Government Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC students) and central government schemes such as the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) scholarships.

ADBU MSW FAQs

Ques. Does the MSW at ADBU require a written entrance exam, and what is the selection process?

Ans. Yes, unlike most other PG programmes at ADBU which require only a Personal Interview, the MSW programme requires candidates to appear for a written Entrance Test (Don Bosco University Post Graduate Entrance Test - DBU-PGET) followed by a Personal Interview. Both are conducted on the same day. The Admission Office schedules the test and communicates the details personally after the candidate submits the online application and pays the application fee of Rs 600. Admission is granted based on past academic record and performance at the Entrance Test and Personal Interview.

Ques. What are the specialisations available in MSW at ADBU, and how should I choose one?

Ans. MSW at ADBU offers five specialisations: Medical and Psychiatric Social Work (for those interested in healthcare settings), Family and Child Welfare (for those focused on family and child protection), Child Centred Social Work Practice (for those working with children), Community Development (for those interested in grassroots development work), and Management of Development Organizations (for those aiming for managerial roles in NGOs and development sector). The choice of specialisation should be based on your career goals and the sector you wish to work in. Students are typically guided by faculty during the orientation to make an informed choice.

Ques. What international opportunities are available for MSW students at ADBU?

Ans. The Department of Social Work at ADBU has strong international linkages. In 2026, ADBU Social Work students were selected for the Erasmus+ International Mobility Programme, and a faculty member (Dr. Bibharani Swargiary) participated in the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Programme at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Germany. The department also hosts inbound international students for fieldwork placements (e.g., Ms. Menna Kuivalainen from Finland in 2026). International lecture series on topics such as comparative methodologies in social work, well-being of refugees, and global learning in social work practice are regularly organised.

Ques. What is the fieldwork component of the MSW programme at ADBU?

Ans. Fieldwork is a core and mandatory component of the MSW programme at ADBU. Students undertake supervised fieldwork placements in various settings including hospitals, NGOs, community organisations, and government welfare departments. The department also organises Service Learning-cum-Rural Practicum, where students engage with rural communities for hands-on learning. International fieldwork placements are also available for eligible students through the Erasmus+ programme and other international collaborations. The fieldwork component ensures that graduates are practice-ready and equipped to handle real-world social work challenges.

Ques. What career options are available after completing MSW from ADBU?

Ans. Graduates of MSW from ADBU can pursue careers as social workers, community development officers, welfare officers, counsellors, programme managers in NGOs, hospital social workers, child welfare officers, and researchers. The programme also prepares students for UGC-NET in Social Work, which is a prerequisite for Assistant Professor positions. Graduates can find employment with government departments (health, education, women and child development), international organisations (UNICEF, WHO, UNDP), NGOs, and corporate CSR departments. Further, graduates can pursue PhD in Social Work at ADBU itself.

Ques. Can a student from a Science or Commerce background apply for MSW at ADBU?

Ans. Yes, ADBU accepts applications from graduates of any stream for MSW, provided they have a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their graduation. There is no restriction on the undergraduate subject or stream. However, candidates with a background in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Sociology, Home Science, or Human Resource Management will have an advantage during the Entrance Test and Personal Interview. Students from Science, Commerce, or other Arts disciplines are also eligible and have been admitted in the past, especially if they can demonstrate a genuine commitment to social service and community development.