Social work and counselling
A field of study in health and welfare
Vocational or degree?Mostly vocational7 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 181,000 finished vocational training and 97,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?81% in a matching jobof health and welfare graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 73%.All health and welfare fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
Counselling methodsCrisis interventionImpact of social contexts on healthClient-centred counsellingResponsible gamblingLabour marketSocial work theoryVocational rehabilitationClinical social workDependency on drugsSocial mediationCitizen involvement in healthcare+ 2 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
6 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social worker | Average | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Psychologist | Good | Above average | Degree | Some tasks |
| Social counsellor | Average | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Career guidance advisor | Good | Above average | Degree | Moderate |
| Social work assistant | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Low |
| Crisis helpline operator | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
946 institutions in the EU offer health and welfare bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.