Studying social work at university
Example course modules
- Social work ethics and values
- Power, duties and accountabilities
- Social work in society
- Social policy: politics of the welfare state
- Law and the legal context of social work
- Working with adults
- Social work research
- Social work as a vehicle for cultural transformation
- Child and family social work
- Substance use and misuse
Teaching hours / week
Average for this subject
Average for all subjects
Average hours for this subject: 12 (Low 7 - High 18). Average hours for all subjects: 14.
The time you'll spend in lectures and seminars each week will vary from university to university, so use this as a guide.
Who studies this subject
What students say about social work
What you need to get on a course
Subjects you need
A-levels (or equivalent) usually required
- No Specific Requirements
Useful to have
- Psychology
- Sociology
- BTEC health and social care
Application checklist
Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.
- January application
- October application
- Personal statement
- Portfolio
- Interview
- Entry test
- Work experience
- Audition
Personal statement advice
Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We'll help you past that writer's block!
Personal statement tips and advice
Career prospects
Six months after graduating
- Childcare and related personal services
Longer term career paths
Jobs where this degree is useful
- Social worker
- Social services manager
- Guidance officer
Other real-life job examples
- Community worker
- Probation officer
- Adoption officer
What employers like about this subject
A degree in social work is, unsurprisingly, usually taken as part of training for a career in social work. Subject-related skills you might expect to gain include training in building relationships with people from all backgrounds and an understanding of the, often complicated, ethical issues that come with working with the different agencies and people involved in modern social work. A social work degree also includes 200 days of assessed practice. Graduates tend to be employed by local government and social work providers, but some also get jobs with schools, hospitals, housing associations, residential care organisations, advisory groups and universities, among other industries.
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