What is it about?
Social work supports people in shaping their lives and overcoming particular challenges. Dealing with social diversity is also part of social work. An important goal of social work is "helping people to help themselves". The aim is to support people in recognizing and activating their own resources.
The focus on migration - integration focuses on people who leave their countries of origin, for example due to unfavorable living conditions or discrimination, come to Germany and are confronted with new challenges here: Their legal status often remains precarious and they often experience discrimination here too. Finding a home and a job, receiving social benefits and medical care is often difficult, if at all. A lack of German language skills and professional qualifications are a hurdle to integration.
Profile of the study program
Social work with a focus on migration and integration deals with issues such as
- Which (social) structures cause social disadvantage?
- What is the legal framework in the context of immigration?
- How can social discrimination, exclusion and ethnic ascription be dealt with?
- How can problems of social disadvantage and exclusion be solved?
From migration to integration
In addition to looking at the process of migration, the perspective is also placed on arrival and participation. "Integration" here means social integration, which is understood as an open, reciprocal learning process; variety and diversity are fundamental here.
In the context of the study program, the term integration basically focuses on the relationships between majority and minority groups and options for participation in social life.
Dealing with social disadvantage
This mixed situation poses major challenges not only for those affected, but also for local authorities and employees in the education, health and social services sectors. The dual study program deals with, among other things, which social structures lead to social disadvantage, which legal frameworks exist around immigration and how problems related to discrimination, exclusion and ethnic attributions can be solved.
Regular change between lecture hall and workplace
The dual study program lasts eight semesters and combines theory and practice very closely. Throughout the entire period, you will regularly alternate between the lecture hall and the workplace and put your academic knowledge from your studies directly into practice. During your studies, you will be employed by a social work provider, receive comprehensive support and financial remuneration. Half of the week is dedicated to your studies, the other half to your job.
Contents of the study program
The course includes modules from the disciplines of law, psychology, sociology and educational science. It qualifies you for social work activities and teaches comprehensive migration education skills, in particular for the professional support of immigrants.
The course content includes migration movements in the EU, residence law, cultural knowledge about the countries of origin, the welcoming culture of the majority society, sensitization to one's own prejudices and theories of social inequality.
Bachelor of Arts, which qualifies for migration education tasks, among other things
After successfully completing the program, you will receive a Bachelor of Arts
(B.A.).
Specializations in the study program
Social work with a focus on migration - integration offers specializations in the following areas:
- Social work content/discussions in theory and research
- Migration theory/discourses on the immigration society
- Migration education
- Migration law
- Theories of social participation and integration
- Concepts/methods
Course of study
This is a thematic overview of the course content. Detailed information on the exact names of the courses, information on ECTS or semester hours per week
can be found in the annex to the Bachelor's examination regulations (dual) and in the module handbook.
| 1st semester | Social work as a science | Professional action in social work | Law and administration | Practical support |
| 2nd semester | Social work as a science | Professional action in social work | Law and administration | Practical support |
| 3rd semester | Psychology and medicine | Professional action in social work | Society and politics | Practical support |
| 4th semester | Psychology and medicine | Professional action in social work | Society and politics | Practical support |
| 5th semester | Educational science and ethical education | Cultural studies and aesthetic communication | Consolidation and extension | Practical support |
| 6th semester | Educational science and ethical education | Cultural studies and aesthetic communication | Consolidation and extension | Practical support |
| 7th semester | Professional action in the project | BA preparatory and accompanying seminar | Consolidation and extension | Practical support |
| 8th semester | Thesis & colloquium | Consolidation and extension | Practical support |
Why study at Fachhochschule Dortmund?
What makes Fachhochschule Dortmund special? What should you know about the city and the region? How is Fachhochschule Dortmund positioned in terms of internationality and what counseling and support do we offer you? Find out more about Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Who is it for?
Desirable subject-specific and interdisciplinary knowledge
If you enjoy studying alongside your job, working in a team and dealing with diverse target groups, the course may suit you. Intercultural sensitivity, social and communication skills as well as an interest in transnational topics and interdisciplinary cooperation are good prerequisites. Foreign language skills are also helpful.
During your studies, you will be confronted with different points of view and controversial statements. You will also work through these with the help of academic and formal texts. If you are ready for this, you can prepare yourself for exciting professional fields.
Prospects after graduation
Career prospects
Graduates work, for example, in
- fields of action that are directly related to poverty and social inequality, migration,
integration and participation, e.g.- in integration agencies
- Advice centers for migrants / immigration advice and refugee aid
- at educational institutions where the general higher education entrance qualification and
university of applied sciences entrance qualification can be acquired retrospectively or who offer
offer language courses - in counseling centers for prostitutes
- in social services / offices (e.g. health authorities)
- in job centers
- at educational institutions where the general higher education entrance qualification and
- other fields of activity that are interested in addressing social problems
social problems in the context of poverty and social inequality, migration, integration and participation, e.g.- in child, youth, family and elderly care
- in probation and offender services
- in schools
- in vocational training and further education
- in the area of services for people with impairments/disabilities
- in social counseling/support
- in qualification measures/education
- in political social work
- all other fields of social work
Master programs
Stay abroad possible during your studies
Stays abroad during the dual study program in Social Work with a focus on Migration and Integration are only possible in consultation with the employer and adequate dual employment abroad.
What do I need?
1. qualification / certificates and degrees
The qualification for studying at universities of applied sciences is proven by the certificate of the university of applied sciences entrance qualification or a previous education recognized as equivalent.
Here you will find a detailed description of the various recognized qualifications.
2. proof of a concluded employment contract with a cooperating social work organization
A further formal requirement for studying Social Work with a focus on migration and integration at Fachhochschule Dortmund is proof of a concluded employment contract with an employment agency in the field of social work with which Fachhochschule Dortmund has concluded a framework agreement on dual university education (cooperation agreement). A 50% part-time position (19 - 20 hours per week) is required.
This means that applicants must
- either already have a 50% part-time position (19 - 20 hours per week) with a social work organization or
- have found an organization that will employ them for the duration of their studies with a 50% part-time position (19 - 20 hours per week). The provider must then conclude the framework agreement with Fachhochschule Dortmund.
The sponsor must conclude a so-called framework agreement with Fachhochschule Dortmund before applying for a study place, without which the course cannot be taken up. This framework agreement is only valid in its current version. Furthermore, prior to concluding the framework agreement, it is always necessary for the course coordinator and student advisory service to advise the sponsor and check the intended position(s).
For each year, the cooperating institutions and Fachhochschule Dortmund make agreements on capacity and requirements. Only if this has been done on time can practical placements for the dual study program in Social Work with a focus on Migration and Integration be set up at the relevant providers.
In order to ensure this, close consultation between already cooperating and interested providers and the University of Applied Sciences is necessary. Students can only be accepted onto the study program if the provider and the university of applied sciences have previously agreed on the number of students per provider and study cohort (see § 1 of the framework agreement). The process of demand and capacity agreements will be transparent and reliable, but will also offer participation opportunities for new providers in addition to existing cooperating providers.
Important: these capacity agreements between providers and the university start on November 1st; the specific procedures and deadlines can be found here(Opens in a new tab) and must be observed.
A minimum salary of EUR 1,050 is required throughout the entire course of study (gross employee salary per month). It is also necessary to be supervised by a social pedagogue, social worker (Diplom or Bachelor) or a Diplom or Bachelor pedagogue.
We will be happy to help you find an employer. Please arrange an appointment with the program advisor(Opens in a new tab) in good time.
3. register now
The study program starts annually in the winter semester and is admission-free.
In addition to enrolment, a framework agreement between the employer and Fachhochschule Dortmund (including the corresponding annex proving an employment relationship) must be submitted. The framework agreement is concluded by the employer via the degree program coordinator. Proof of the employment relationship and the framework agreement must be submitted to the degree program coordinator by the deadline of 30.06.
Important: The necessary agreements between the institution and the university take place much earlier in a standardized procedure, which starts on 01.11. The procedure must be observed and can be viewed here(Opens in a new tab) .
Who can help me?
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the study program and Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Central Student Advisory Services (ZSB)
Advice for prospective students
Marcel Lietz, B.A.
Video and telephone consultation hours by appointment by e-mail
Counseling for employers
Michel Boße
- +49 231 91124911
On site, by telephone or as a video conference by prior arrangement.
Information on the dual study program in Social Work with a focus on Migration and Integration
A formal requirement for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work with a focus on migration and integration at the Fachhochschule Dortmund is proof of a 50% part-time position (approx. 20 hours per week) with an employment agency in the field of social work with which the Fachhochschule Dortmund has concluded a framework agreement on dual university education (cooperation agreement).
Before applying for a place, applicants must therefore either
- already have a 50% part-time position (19-20 hours per week) with a social work organization or
- have found an organization that will employ them for the duration of their studies in a 50% part-time position (19-20 hours per week).
The provider must conclude or already have a so-called framework agreement with Fachhochschule Dortmund before applying for a study place. Before concluding the framework agreement and/or submitting the annexes to the agreement, it is always necessary for the course coordinator(Opens in a new tab) to advise the sponsor and check the planned position(s). The establishment of positions that constitute a prerequisite for admission to the degree program can only take place with the approval of Fachhochschule Dortmund. Students cannot be admitted to the degree program without a framework agreement and/or the associated annexes and the approval of Fachhochschule Dortmund.
This framework agreement is only valid in its current version.
Content and formal requirements for recognition as an internship in the dual study program Social Work with a focus on Migration and Integration can be found in the "Criteria for internships" section below.
Information on the awarding of framework agreements and demand/capacity planning
The study program is admission-free and starts once a year in the winter semester with a cohort of 35 students.
In order to ensure this, close consultation is necessary between already cooperating and interested providers and the university of applied sciences. Students can only be admitted to the study program if the provider and the university of applied sciences have agreed on the number of students per provider and study cohort in advance (see § 1 of the framework agreement). The procedure for agreeing on requirements and capacity will be transparent and reliable, but will also offer opportunities for new providers to participate alongside existing providers.
Procedure for already cooperating institutions
- Providers who have already concluded a framework agreement can communicate their requirements (which may still be non-binding at this point) from November 1 to January 31.
- Subsequently, arrangements may be made between the sponsors and the university if capacity is exceeded at this time. At this point in time, the university of applied sciences will then provide binding feedback on the demand notifications.
- In the period from 01.02. to 31.03., this demand must be specified and bindingly communicated (if possible already with the data of the respective applicants).
- From 01.04. to 30.06. , the institutions submit the specific personal attachments to the framework agreement for their applicants (this is also possible from 01.02.). These annexes are only valid in the version of the respective cohort and are provided by the university of applied sciences as fillable PDF files.
- If no notification and agreement has been made in the above-mentioned first period from 01 .11. to 31.01., places can only be requested again from 01.04. if there is still free capacity (see procedure for institutions without a framework agreement).
Procedure for new providers (previously without a framework agreement)
- Interested new providers communicate their interest and a concrete need (number of places for the corresponding study cohort) from 01.11. without obligation.
- In the period up to 31.03., these providers will be regularly informed about the status of capacity agreements between already cooperating providers and the University of Applied Sciences.
- If there is free capacity, interested providers can request places for applicants from April 1st and conclude the framework agreement between the provider and the university of applied sciences.
Criteria for capacity planning
- In the context of a plural provider structure, there should be no more than 2 places per provider per study cohort or 4 per provider if they are placed in different departments, locations etc.
- The quality standards specified in the framework agreement for practical placements in the dual Bachelor of Social Work with a focus on migration and integration (content requirements for the activities, payment, guidance, etc.) are mandatory.
- No students can be admitted to the study program without the approval of the capacity agreements by the university of applied sciences.
Documents and agreements that are not submitted on time will not be considered in all constellations.
Criteria for internships
In principle, the following criteria are necessary for placement sites to conclude a framework agreement between the provider and Fachhochschule Dortmund and to be recognized as a placement site in the dual study program:
- It must be a field of social work in which the students are deployed.
- The students must be supervised for the entire duration of their studies. The following professional groups are eligible as supervisors: state-recognized social workers (BA/MA/Dipl.), state-recognized social pedagogues (BA/MA/Dipl.), state-recognized BA social work or pedagogues (BA/MA/Dipl.). This employee must have sufficient time available for this.
- Students must earn at least EUR 1,050/month (gross) as part of their work.
- Release of students on the days of attendance at the UAS (Wednesday afternoons to Fridays).
- Employment contract from 01.09. of an academic year for the duration of the entire course.
- Work in the context of the study program focus.
- Regional proximity: the commuting time between the UAS and the work placement is max. 60 minutes.
- Students do not replace regular professionals. Exceptions may be students with relevant vocational training, provided that the above criteria are met in their fields of work.
Contact with students
Admissions Office for Student Affairs
Registration office team
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