BASW Syllabus in Nepal: Year-Wise Papers, Full Marks & Practical Hours

If you are considering BASW in Nepal, one of the first things to understand is what you will actually study over the four years.

This guide breaks down the Tribhuvan University BASW curriculum year by year: the social-work papers, full marks, practical components, fieldwork requirements, and evaluation system.

What Does BASW Stand For?

BASW stands for Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. Tribhuvan University uses this name for its undergraduate social work program. You may also see colleges and education websites use “BSW” when referring to the same program.

BASW is a TU-affiliated undergraduate program focused on preparing students for social-work practice with individuals, groups, families, and communities.

This article focuses on what you will study. For the career and salary side of things, see our scope of BASW in Nepal guide.

BASW Program Structure at a Glance

Detail	Information
Duration	4 years
Exam pattern	Annual (final examination at the end of each academic year)
Affiliating body	Tribhuvan University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Social-work papers	9, including 1 elective
Practical hours	Exceeding 450 hours at bachelor’s level
Evaluation split	30% internal, 70% external
Eligibility	+2 / PCL / equivalent recognized by TU

BASW Subjects at a Glance

Year	Main Papers	Main Focus
First Year	Introduction to Social Work, Basic Sociology for Social Work	Foundations of the profession
Second Year	Basic Psychology, Social Case Work Practice, Social Work Practice with Groups	Individual and group practice
Third Year	Community Organization, Development and Social Work, Social Policy and Social Welfare Administration (Elective)	Community and welfare practice
Fourth Year	Research Methods and Academic Writing, Indigenous Social Work Practice of Nepal	Research and the Nepal context

Year-Wise Syllabus Breakdown

Here is how the papers are distributed across the four years, based on TU’s published BASW curriculum. Treat the paper titles below as the current structure, and confirm exact codes with your college before the academic year starts.

First Year

Paper	Full Marks
Introduction to Social Work	100
Basic Sociology for Social Work	100
Compulsory English (C.Eng 401)	–

Your first year builds the foundation. You will cover what social work is as a profession: its history, code of ethics, and the different levels at which social workers intervene, from individual to community level. Basic Sociology runs alongside it, giving you the social structures and institutions you will need before analysing social issues and community problems.

Second Year

Paper	Full Marks
Basic Psychology for Social Work	100
Social Case Work Practice	50
Social Work Practice with Groups	50
Compulsory Nepali (C.Nep 402)	–

Second year shifts from theory toward method. Psychology gives you the tools to understand individual behaviour and wellbeing. The two practice papers cover the two core methods of hands-on social work: one-on-one casework, and working with groups such as families and community groups.

Third Year

Paper	Full Marks
Community Organization (Practical)	50
Development and Social Work	50
Social Policy and Social Welfare Administration (Elective)	100
Compulsory English (C.Eng 403)	–

This is where the program moves from working with individuals to working with communities. The practical component introduces students to identifying community issues, planning interventions, and evaluating outcomes. Social Policy and Social Welfare Administration is listed as an elective paper and covers how welfare programs get designed and implemented in Nepal.

Fourth Year

Paper	Full Marks
Research Methods and Academic Writing	100
Indigenous Social Work Practice of Nepal (Practical)	100
Nepal Studies (NPS 404)	–

Your final year is research-heavy. You will design a research proposal, collect data, and write it up. These research and academic-writing skills can also be useful for students who later work in development organisations or pursue postgraduate study. The Indigenous Social Work Practice of Nepal paper brings the Nepalese social and cultural context into the curriculum, examining indigenous approaches and practices relevant to social work in Nepal.

Alongside the social-work papers, BASW students also take compulsory foundation courses in English, Nepali, and Nepal Studies as part of the wider four-year structure.

Practical Work and Fieldwork

If there is one thing that separates BASW from a classroom-only degree, it is the amount of practical work built into the curriculum. The program includes practical social-work courses and field-based learning, with overall practical hours for social work practice exceeding 450 hours at the bachelor’s level.

Depending on the course and placement, practical work can involve activities such as:

• Casework and individual assessment
• Group-based social work activities
• Community organisation and development work
• Field visits and community-based projects
• Supervised work with social-service organisations

Practical and field-based work is documented and assessed as part of the program’s internal and external evaluation process.

How BASW Is Graded

TU’s BASW curriculum uses a 30% internal and 70% external evaluation system.

• 30% internal: assessed by the Social Work Department or campus, based on students’ participation and social-work practice, including field or community-based work where applicable.
• 70% external: assessed through Tribhuvan University’s examination system. Theory papers are assessed through written examinations, while practical courses include practical assessment as specified in the curriculum.

Studying BASW at Texas International College

According to the college’s current program information, Texas International College’s BASW program combines the TU curriculum with extensive practical work and field-based learning. The program places emphasis on casework, group interventions, community development, research, and indigenous social work practice.

Texas International College currently lists BASW as a four-year program affiliated with Tribhuvan University. If you want the fee structure, entrance process, or eligibility details before you apply, our BASW admission and eligibility guide covers that. You can also see the full program overview on our BASW program page.

Frequently Asked Questions