Summary
Social work is a regulated, values-driven profession at the heart of the United Kingdom’s health and social support systems. Social workers play a vital role in supporting individuals, families, and communities to achieve positive change, safeguard vulnerable people, and promote social justice. The BA (Hons) Social Work degree is designed to meet the Social Work England Professional Standards and Education and Training Standards, with Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours informing curriculum content and learning opportunities, ensuring graduates are prepared for contemporary practice and eligible for professional registration with Social Work England. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in social work values, ethics, and safeguarding, before enabling you to develop specialist knowledge and skills in areas such as children and families, adult social work, and mental health. Statutory placements, reflective learning, and engagement with local employers and service users ensure you gain practical experience and are well-prepared for professional practice.
Entry Requirements
Applicants to the BA (Hons) Social Work programme will normally be expected to meet the following academic criteria:
A minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points, derived from Level 3 academic qualifications.
This is equivalent to:
CCC where three A‑levels are taken, or
Merit, Merit, Merit (MMM) in a BTEC Extended Diploma, or
Merit overall in an Access to HE Diploma.
The UCAS tariff must be achieved through Level 3 academic qualifications rather than non‑academic or experiential awards.
In addition, applicants must hold:
English language skills - ordinarily GCSE English Language or certified equivalents, at Grade C / Grade 4 or above.
Non‑Standard and Widening Participation Applicants
The programme actively welcomes applications from non‑standard applicants who may not have followed traditional routes into higher education. Applications from individuals without standard Level 3 qualifications will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis, where applicants are able to demonstrate:
Relevant work experience, life experience, or prior learning that evidences readiness for higher education study;
Knowledge, skills and attributes aligned to the values and expectations of professional social work.
Relevant Experience Applicants must evidence a minimum of 100 hours of relevant social care experience undertaken within the last two years. This experience may be paid or voluntary and must involve direct work with people. Relevant experience may include, but is not limited to: Care work or support work, Youth work, Foster care, Counselling or therapeutic support, Practical or emotional support provided face‑to‑face or via telephone, Placements undertaken through college or other educational settings, Personal experience of caring for an individual where there is first‑hand engagement with social services or social work intervention.
Personal Statement Applicants must submit a personal statement that: Outlines the roles and responsibilities undertaken during their relevant experience; Reflects critically on the learning gained from this experience; Demonstrates insight into the role of the social worker, professional values, and ethical responsibilities; Articulates motivation and preparedness for a career in social work.
- Course code SM1HE0009
- Duration 3 Years
- Day/s of week To Be Confirmed
- Time 09:15 - 16:45
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
13 Sep 2027
|
University Centre
|
3 Years
|
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
Successfully completing the BA (Hons) Social Work enables you to progress into a recognised professional qualification and begin your career as a registered social worker. The programme is designed to help you develop confidence in practice, strengthen your professional judgement, and apply your learning directly to real‑world social work settings. Graduates develop a strong understanding of working ethically and effectively with individuals, families and communities, which is highly valued by employers across statutory, voluntary and independent services.
On successful completion of the degree, and subject to meeting all placement and professional requirements, you will be eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England, allowing you to work in statutory social work roles.
Other study options
The programme also provides a strong foundation for further postgraduate study, including specialist post‑qualifying training, leadership pathways and professional development courses aligned to social work practice.
You would be qualified to apply for following on from the degree including the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), MA qualifications or a range of internships. You are advised to check the entry criteria to ensure that the BA (Hons) Social Work is appropriate pathway.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Social Work can progress into a range of professional roles, including:
Social Worker (Children’s Services, Adults’ Services or Mental Health)
Child and Family Social Worker
Adult Social Care Social Worker
Mental Health Social Worker
Through‑Care / Leaving Care Social Worker
Safeguarding Social Worker
As you gain experience, there are clear opportunities for career progression into more senior roles, such as:
Senior Social Worker
Practice Educator
Specialist Practitioner (e.g. safeguarding, court work, mental health)
Team Manager or Service Manager
Key information
Fees and funding
Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding.
Extra costs and equipment
Equipment Requirements:
No special equipment is required as a full range of IT is available within the Learning Resource Centre for enrolled students. Students may wish to purchase a computer (desktop or laptop) as all assessments are submitted electronically and the relevant software can be provided by the College free of charge.
Additional Costs
Use of Personal Vehicles During Placement – and all associated Costs
Professional Clothing
While there is no formal uniform, you may wish to purchase appropriate professional clothing for placement and skills days. This will vary depending on placement setting and individual preference.
Learning Materials
Core learning resources are provided electronically via Canvas and the Learning Resource Centre. However, you may choose to purchase recommended textbooks or additional study materials to support your learning, although this is optional.
IT and Digital Access
You must have regular access to a computer and the internet to engage with Canvas, online resources, and assessment submission systems. Laptop loans and IT support are available through the College for students who require them.
You will also be required to hold a relevant DBS which would incur additional costs
What will I learn?
In studying for the BA in Social Work you will study a range of themes, delivered in a range of modules throughout the programme. These include the following:
Social work values, ethics and professionalism
Human development, wellbeing and safeguarding
Law, policy and statutory frameworks
Communication, collaboration and leadership
Assessment, intervention and evidenced based practice
Equality, diversity, inclusion and digital competence
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
The BA (Hons) Social Work is a professionally focused programme and, requires a higher level of attendance and engagement than many traditional undergraduate degrees.
Year 1 (Level 4)
Youare required to attend the University Centre for three days per week. You will study three modules per semester, with learning delivered through lectures, seminars, skills days and a comprehensive personal and professional development schedule. Taught sessions are designed to build a strong theoretical foundation alongside core academic and professional skills.
Year 2 (Level 5)
During the second year, you will attend Multiversity for three days per week during taught weeks. In addition, you will undertake your first practice placement, attending five days per week during placement periods, totalling 70 placement days across the academic year. You will study six modules delivered across three terms, combining taught learning with work‑based practice and skills development.
Year 3 (Level 6)
You attend the Mulitversity for two days per week during taught weeks. Alongside this, you will complete your final statutory placement, attending five days per week during placement periods, totalling 100 placement days. You will study four modules delivered across two semesters, including the dissertation and advanced practice modules.
How will I learn?
The approach to learning and teaching on the BA (Hons) Social Work adopts a student‑centred model, recognising learners as adult practitioners who bring professional, personal and lived experience into the learning environment. Teaching will balance structured, guided and self‑directed learning, alongside reflection on learning and practice, to support achievement for a diverse student body including non‑traditional learners, mature students and those returning to education after significant gaps.
Lectures introduce key theoretical, ethical and legal frameworks underpinning social work practice and are enhanced through guest lectures from statutory, voluntary and co‑production partners, supporting application to real‑world contexts. Seminars provide structured opportunities for academic debate, ethical discussion and critical engagement with research, enabling you to analyse complex practice dilemmas and competing viewpoints.
Practical workshops and skills sessions focus on communication, assessment, recording, reflective practice and professional judgement. Peer learning and collaborative activities are intentionally embedded to support professional confidence and collective learning, reflecting the collaborative nature of social work practice.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of this degree are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them them to progress to meaningful careers.
Learning Methods
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 558 | 454 | 554 |
| Independent | 762 | 420 | 252 |
| Placement | 0 | 530 | 1250 |
| Total | 1320 | 1404 | 2056 |
How will I be assessed?
You will study the following modules and assessments on the BA (Hons) in Social Work
Year 1 (level 4)
- Theoretical Underpinnings, Values and ethics of Social Work - Essay 70% and Role Play and Reflection 30%
- Safeguarding Across the Lifespan - Case study 50% and Group Seminar 50%
- Child development and Family Life - Presentation 40% and Report 60%
- Social Work Legislation and Policy - Essay 70% and Booklet 30%
- Professional Partnerships - Presentation 30% and Report 70%
- Preparation for Practice in Social Work = Skills Based Simulation 40% and Reflective Portfolio 60%
Year 2 (level 5) - Social Work with Children and Families - Presentation 30% and Critical Review 70%
Social Work with Adults - Essay 50% and Report 50% - Mental Health and Social Work - Case Study 60% and Skills Based Simulation 40%
- Work Based Learning - Report 80% and Poster 20%
- Leading and Managing Teams - Essay 60% and Group Role Play and Reflection 40%
- Professional Practice 1 - Critical Analysis of Practice 100%
Year 3 (level 6) - Dissertation - Dissertation Report 80% and Poster 20%
- Professional Practice 2 - Critical Analysis of Practice 100%
- Cultural and Community Competency - Essay 70% and Skills Based Simulation 30%
- Critical Thinking in Social Work Practice - Reflective Portfolio 50% and Group Seminar 50%
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 73% | 82% | 80% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |