Master in Social Work [MSW]

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University (CSMU), located in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, offers a 2-year full-time Master in Social Work (MSW) programme under its Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Communication. The programme is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in social welfare, community development, human rights, and policy advocacy. With a seat intake of 60 students, the MSW at CSMU is a campus-based, regular programme that requires students to attend classes on-site. The course is popular for its strong emphasis on fieldwork, interdisciplinary approach, and proximity to Mumbai's vast NGO, corporate CSR, and government social welfare ecosystem.

Admissions for the academic year 2026-27 are open. Applications started from March 1, 2026, and the last date of admission for 2025-26 was extended to October 31, 2025. For 2026-27, the admission process is ongoing and students can apply online at admissions.csmu.ac.in. Batch commencement is expected in July-August 2026.

Key Points

• The MSW programme at CSMU is a full-time, on-campus 2-year postgraduate course with a seat intake of 60 students.
• The Department of Psychology and Social Sciences at CSMU houses the MSW programme, with highly qualified faculty specialising in social work theory and field practice.
• Students are required to undertake mandatory fieldwork and community engagement projects as part of the curriculum, providing real-world exposure.
• CSMU accepts CUET-PG scores for MSW admissions, in addition to its own CSMUCET entrance test.
• The university is UGC-recognised and established under the Government of Maharashtra Act XXXII of 2018, ensuring academic credibility.
• CSMU's location in Navi Mumbai, one of the largest industrial and urban hubs in Maharashtra, provides excellent opportunities for internships and placements in NGOs, hospitals, corporates, and government bodies.

CSMU MSW Fees

Fee Structure

• Registration fee of INR 15,000 is non-refundable and paid once at the time of admission.
• Application fee of INR 1,500 (plus taxes) is non-refundable and paid at the time of submitting the application.
• Examination fee of INR 1,000 per exam is applicable separately.
• Fee refund in case of withdrawal follows UGC guidelines: 100% refund if withdrawal is 15 or more days before the last date of admission; 90% if less than 15 days before; 80% if within 15 days after; 50% if within 30 days after; 0% if more than 30 days after the last date of admission. A processing charge of up to INR 1,000 is deducted from the refundable amount.
• Hostel fee (optional, not included in total above): Triple Occupancy Non-AC: INR 92,000/year; Double Occupancy Non-AC: INR 1,10,000/year; Triple Occupancy AC: INR 1,20,000/year; Double Occupancy AC: INR 1,40,000/year (2026-27 rates). Mess fee is not included in hostel fee.
• Payment of at least 50% of annual fees is required at the time of confirming admission; the balance can be paid in instalments as per university schedule.

CSMU MSW Admission 2026

CSMU MSW Admission Dates 2026-27

CUET-PG 2026 Exam Dates (Accepted for MSW Admission at CSMU)

Source: exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have passed a bachelor's degree with relevant subjects (such as BSW, BA in Social Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, or related disciplines) from a recognised university.
• A minimum of 45% marks in the qualifying degree is required (42% for OBC; 40% for SC/ST candidates).
• Candidates appearing in the final year of their qualifying examination are also eligible to apply provisionally.

Admission Process

• Submit the online application form at admissions.csmu.ac.in and pay the non-refundable application fee of INR 1,500.
• The Admissions Office verifies documents and checks eligibility for the MSW programme.
• Eligible candidates are called for CSMUCET (CSMU Common Entrance Test); candidates with valid CUET-PG scores are exempted from CSMUCET.
• Based on entrance test or CUET-PG score, an Offer of Admission letter is issued.
• Candidates confirm admission by verifying original documents and paying at least 50% of the annual programme fee.
• Final enrolment is completed upon submission of all required documents including Transfer/Migration Certificate.

CSMU MSW Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Schemes

CSMU offers the Bharatratna Dr. Bhimrao (Babasaheb) Ambedkar Scholarship and Financial Assistance Schemes for the academic session 2026-27. These are applicable to MSW students as well.

• Scholarships are applicable to the programme fee component only; they do not cover add-on courses or industry-partner course fees.
• Only one scholarship scheme can be availed at a time; schemes cannot be combined.
• Students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% to remain eligible for scholarships.
• For PG programmes, the student must be under 26 years of age and must not have any gap years between qualifying examination and admission to CSMU.
• Scholarships are disbursed as a concession at the end of the academic year after verification of all documents and attendance.
• Additionally, as per Government of Maharashtra rules, 10% of economically weak students among total admitted students shall receive a 50% waiver on tuition fee only.
• Application for scholarships must be submitted on the prescribed form with documentary proof by the date announced by the university each year.

CSMU MSW FAQs

Ques. Is the MSW at CSMU a full-time programme, and do students need to attend classes on campus regularly?

Ans. Yes, the MSW at CSMU is a full-time, on-campus programme. Students are required to attend classes regularly at the Panvel, Navi Mumbai campus. The programme involves not just classroom learning but also mandatory fieldwork and community engagement projects, which require physical presence. There is no distance or online mode available for this programme at CSMU.

Ques. Does CSMU accept CUET-PG scores for MSW admission, or is there a separate entrance test?

Ans. CSMU accepts CUET-PG scores for MSW admissions. Candidates who have appeared in CUET-PG are exempted from the university's own entrance test, CSMUCET. However, candidates who have not appeared in CUET-PG or any other equivalent national/state-level entrance exam will need to appear for CSMUCET. The admission offer is made based on the entrance test score or qualifying exam performance.

Ques. What is the total fee for the MSW programme at CSMU, and are there any hidden charges?

Ans. The total fee for the 2-year MSW programme at CSMU is INR 1,35,000 (including the one-time non-refundable registration fee of INR 15,000). The annual fee is INR 60,000 per year. Additionally, an application fee of INR 1,500 and an examination fee of INR 1,000 per exam are charged separately. Hostel accommodation is optional and costs between INR 92,000 to INR 1,40,000 per year depending on the type of room, with mess charges billed separately.

Ques. What is the eligibility for MSW at CSMU, and is a BSW degree mandatory?

Ans. A BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) degree is not mandatory for MSW admission at CSMU. Candidates with a bachelor's degree in relevant subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, Social Sciences, or related disciplines are also eligible. The minimum marks required are 45% in the qualifying degree (42% for OBC; 40% for SC/ST). Students appearing in their final year of graduation can also apply provisionally.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing MSW from CSMU?

Ans. Graduates of the MSW programme from CSMU can pursue careers in NGOs, government social welfare departments, hospitals (as medical social workers), corporate CSR departments, rehabilitation centres, child welfare organisations, and community development projects. CSMU's location in Navi Mumbai, a major industrial and urban hub, provides strong networking and placement opportunities. Students can also appear for government exams such as UPSC, MPSC, and other social welfare officer posts after completing MSW.

Ques. Are scholarships available specifically for MSW students at CSMU, and how do I apply?

Ans. Yes, CSMU offers the Bharatratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Scholarship and Financial Assistance Schemes, which are available to MSW students as well. Scholarships are available on the basis of merit (up to 50% of programme fee), sports achievement (up to 70%), reserved category (up to 35% for SC/ST), defence background, and other criteria. To apply, students must submit the prescribed scholarship application form with supporting documents by the date announced by the university. Scholarships are disbursed as a fee concession at the end of the academic year, subject to maintaining 75% attendance and meeting age and gap-year conditions.