Get A Social Work Degree Online UK
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A degree in social work will help graduates make a significant impact on society’s most vulnerable lives. You will learn how to relate to people of all ages, races and backgrounds in order to gain trust and assist with improving their quality of life. Patience, understanding and communication are three of the key skills which will be developed over the duration of the course as you are put into a number of different situations you will be expected to face on a day-to-day basis.
Modules in a social work degree will tackle these issues head on as you learn about social science, work processes and practice, risk protection, child care and ethics. Degrees last for three years, with placements taking place at social work agencies during year two to give you vital experience of what the role is like in a practical environment.
Careers in Social Work
Social work graduates will find employment in the charity, private and public sectors. Depending on what specialisations were undertaken whilst studying, social workers will work with adults, children, people with learning disabilities, the homeless, people with substance abuse issues and foster families.
- Average starting professional salary: £28,000
- Average starting non-professional salary: £17,327
Source: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Social Work UK Entry Requirements
- Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: 32 points.
- Typical A-level requirements: ABB.
- Typical IELTS requirements: 7.0 overall, with no lower than 6.5 in any one component.
Please note that entry requirements vary for each UK university.
Where can I study Social Work?
To learn more about the best social work courses in the UK, find details on the top ten ranking Social Work universities in the Guardian University Guide 2024 below:
- Lancaster University
- University of Salford
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- Queen’s University Belfast
- Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Nottingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Chester
Study Social Work in the UK
If you are interested in studying social work in the UK, arrange your free consultation today. Don’t forget the Premium Service will guarantee you at least one offer from a UK university.
Social work degrees
Social work is a graduate profession. In order to practice as a social worker in the UK you need to be educated to at least undergraduate level and registered with one of the four regulating bodies. These are:
- Social Care Wales
- Social Work England
- Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
- Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
On undergraduate social work degrees you’ll learn about mental health, disabilities, the theory of social work, partnership working, ethics and values, and the legislation relevant to the profession. Many programmes focus on practical learning, so you’ll undertake at least two work placements in a social work setting.
Entry requirements differ between institutions, so check before applying. For example, to study BA Social Work at either the University of Sheffield or Edge Hill University you’ll need 120 UCAS points, while at Anglia Ruskin University they accept 112 UCAS points.
In Scotland you’ll usually need four Highers of at least BBBB, if not higher, to gain a place on an undergraduate social work course. In Northern Ireland you’ll need three B grades at A-level or higher.
The majority of full-time undergraduate social work degrees take three years to complete and are comprised of a range of modules.
At Edge Hill University, for instance, you’ll study modules such as:
- Social work and society
- Social work law, policy and practice
- Specialist practice with adults
- Theory, research and critical practice with children, young people and families.
At Anglia Ruskin, you’ll study modules in:
- Standards and skills in social work
- Contemporary issues in social work
- Applied social work theories
- Social work with adults
- Sustainable social work.
To gain a place on many programmes you’ll need previous work experience in a care setting. Experience can be paid or voluntary and may include helping out at a local youth club or care home for the elderly, getting involved with a victim support organisation or advice service, or caring for a relative or friend. You’ll also need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to enrolment.
Find out what you can do with a degree in social work.
Online social work degrees
As social work is practice based there aren’t many online or distance learning programmes available.
However, online social work courses do exist and as they can be studied part time, they’re often taken up by people who need to juggle their studies around other commitments such as work or family life.
The Open University runs a range of social work qualifications, from certificates and diplomas to undergraduate degrees. Their BA in Social Work is worth 360 credits and can be studied both full or part time. Full-time courses require 32 to 36 hours of study per week and take three years to complete, while the part-time option takes six years with 16 to 18 hours of study per week.
Robert Gordon University also offer a distance learning BA in Social Work. Designed for those already working in a related social care role, the part-time degree has a blended mode of attendance. This means it’s delivered through a combination of on-campus learning, practice experience and tutor-led learning with the support of online resources.
Master in Social Work (MSW)
If your undergraduate course is in an unrelated subject, you’ll need to take an MSW. Many social work undergraduates also pursue a Masters in social work to further their knowledge and specialise in a particular area.
Entry requirements vary, but all postgraduate social work qualifications specify the need for substantial work experience. During the application process you’ll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of what social work entails and knowledge of current happenings in the industry.
For entry onto the Master of Social Work at the University of Edinburgh you’ll need a 2:1 or above in any discipline, as well as work experience in a social care or health-related role. Kingston University expects a 2:1 in a social science subject for entry onto its MSW, as well as demonstrable experience of the social care sector.
In exceptional circumstances, candidates without an undergraduate degree may be considered if they have extensive professional experience. The best way to gain this experience is through volunteering.
An MSW generally takes two years full time, with a considerable amount of time (usually 170 to 200 days) spent on placement.
At the University of Edinburgh you’ll study units including:
- Social work in communities
- Social work with individuals and families
- Doing social work research
- Working with risk, trust and complexity in social work.
The 2024/25 tuition fees for UK students cost £13,000.
At Kingston University, MSW 2024/25 tuition fees are £8,500 (full time) and £4,250 (part time). Course modules include:
- Readiness for direct practice
- Assessment and intervention
- Legal, ethical and policy frameworks for social
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