Social Work BA

We have a dynamic Social Work Team of active practitioners, innovative academics and experienced professionals who create a rich and exciting degree experience. In fact, 86% of our students said staff had made the course interesting.

We need people who want to make a difference to society, help people find solutions to their problems and live more successfully. And throughout your degree, we’ll help you develop the qualities that define a University of Leeds social worker – a perceptive, astute, problem solver and patient advocate.

This is why 100% of our social work students are in professional or managerial jobs six months after graduating.

Studying at Leeds means you’ll experience innovative teaching using virtual reality techniques and scenario planning in our in-house community flat to prepare for our stimulating and rewarding range of placements. These can include assessment and child protection, children with complex needs, and adult care management.

Other information

As a research intensive school, you’ll have access to our cutting-edge social care research before it’s in the wider domain, giving you a distinctive advantage in your professional life.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by Social Work England and students that successfully complete will be able to apply for registration with the Social Work England.

The Social Work BA offers an opportunity to achieve a degree and a professional qualification in social work. Students are required to undertake 170 days of direct placement, supported by practice teachers and assessors.

The course is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge and skills, including the reflective and analytical skills, needed to become a competent social worker. On successfully completing the course you’ll be able to work in a variety of social work settings.

In your first and second years you’ll consider psychological, sociological and social policy perspectives on social work practice. You’ll learn about the legal basis of social work and will demonstrate your competence in IT. You’ll examine the impact of disability and mental health on social service users. You will develop your professional competence including professional decision making, ethics and values, and working with diversity.

In your third year you’ll study both child and family and adult social work and undertake final year placement. In addition, you will undertake a final year project, a 30-credit, 10,000-word dissertation. You’ll complete your course by doing a final placement in a social work setting.

Placements are an integral part of your training. Read "Study abroad and work placements" tab.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Social Work BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from the range of opportunities, expanding your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

School of Healthcare courses are designed to allow you as much choice as possible in the way that you study and methods of training are highly participative, with a combination of tutor-led input and support, learning through group work and discussion, and individual exercises and practice.

The School works closely with health and social care organisations, to make sure that it provides education and training which fully meets the changing needs of health and social care and develops the appropriate knowledge and skills enabling our students to play key roles in the workplace.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a range of assessment methods, including essays, posters/ leaflets, practical skills examinations and multiple choice questions.

You’ll need to demonstrate the knowledge and application of standard concepts, information and techniques, as well as your emerging abilities, skills and competencies.

You’ll need to produce work that is typically both evaluative and creative and show you can conduct independent, in-depth enquiry within the discipline. You need to be able to draw on a wide variety of material and be able to evaluate and criticise received opinion.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Not general studies or critical thinking.

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at grade C or above / 4 or 5 (if taken after 2016) including Maths and English Language or English Literature.

Other course specific tests:

You will need to show evidence of study in the last 5 years.

You are required to provide an academic reference, which also includes a statement which attests to (your) character and good standing.

All Foundation degree modules must be listed on your UCAS form or else your application will be rejected.

• Access to HE Diploma

  45 credits at level 3, which must be at distinction + 5 GCSEs including Maths and English. We strongly advise you to contact the School to discuss the suitability of your chosen Access course. All Access modules must be listed on your UCAS form or else your application will be rejected.

• BTEC

  BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF): Distinction/Distinction/Distinction

  All BTEC modules must be listed on your UCAS form or else your application will be rejected.

• International Baccalaureate

  A minimum of 34 points overall (16 at higher level) including 3 higher subjects at minimum of grade 5.

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  (Leaving Certificate): AABBBB including English and maths

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB at Advanced Higher and AABBB at Higher.
  Or B at Advanced Higher and AAABB at Higher.
  For non-AH applicants: AABBBB at Higher.

• Other Qualifications

  CACHE certificates in Social Sciences or in Early Years at grade A (Overall grade) are accepted.

  Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Programme (CFGO): Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65%

  Interdisciplinary Foundation Programme (PHE): Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65%

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

The university has an APEL process that the social work programme follows in the event of claims for prior learning with regards to specific modules.

The social work programme will not APEL practice. However it will be possible to APEL the 'shadowing practice' element of 'Suitability to Practise'.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

The School of Healthcare does not normally participate in the UCAS Extra scheme for entry onto the Social Work degree course. You must tell us in your UCAS application if you want to defer entry and if you have any prior criminal convictions.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Selection

We shortlist applicants against agreed criteria, using the information you submit on your UCAS form only. You must meet the academic entry requirement for the programme. Your academic background and personal statement help us to assess your interest in the academic subject and are an important part of the process. The reference you provide on the UCAS form must also support your application, this should be an academic reference, which also includes a statement which attests to (your) character and good standing.

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants are normally invited for interview at the School of Healthcare between November and April. This is an opportunity for you to find out more about the course, meet staff and students and look at School of Healthcare and University facilities.

The interview follows a structured format, whilst the questions asked may vary to some degree they are all similarly devised to allow each candidate the same opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of, understanding of, and aptitude for social work. The interview panel will then score the applicant against agreed criteria.

International Admissions Process

All applicants for Social Work programmes must meet entry requirements, are required to be interviewed and undertake a short entry test. Interviews may be conducted via SKYPE and will be arranged with the applicant for a specific date and time. For Social Work, the current test is a written exercise. Tests for Social Work will be under advisement.

Following applicant shortlisting by the School of Healthcare Admission Tutors, applicants will be invited to undertake an interview and entry test (subject to relevant entry criteria attainment as identified below):

Information pertaining to the International English Language Testing System qualification “IELTS” is available above.

Admissions policy

School of Healthcare Undergraduate School Policy 2021

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £20,250 (per year)

Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

International Fees and Additional Costs

All applicants need to ensure cognisance of the financial implications before applying to the School of Healthcare and that there may be a requirement to provide a financial guarantee of funding for three years. The status of a student as being a home or overseas student is based upon residential status and not nationality. Where a prospective student is an overseas citizen living within the UK they should contact the Admissions Team at the School of Healthcare, admissions@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk regardless of their residential status, to verify their fees status.

The course length is 3 years. Students will have to pay for Occupational Health clearance and immunisations (cost will vary dependent on individual needs of student and course requirements as well as any additional Occupational Health appointments and treatment needed during the programme. Other additional costs associated with the programme, which require consideration include visas and travel to and from placement. Applicants for all Undergraduate programmes at the School of Healthcare require a Criminal Record check, which will be undertaken as part of the visa application.

Additional cost information

<p>All students will have to pay for their travel costs to and from placement and may also have to pay for their own travel costs whilst on placement, although some agencies reimburse these. Students will be required to pay for printing of assessment work and photocopying of articles.</p><p>Additionally<strong> international students </strong>will have to pay for placement and skills days during their programme. Year 1 current estimate - 20 skills days = £250. Year 2 current estimate - 70 placement days = £1400. Year 3 current estimate - 100 placement days = £2000.</p>

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Bursaries

Since 2013 the numbers of social work bursaries at each university have been capped nationally for each individual social work programme.

Bursaries are not available for year one of BA programmes. We currently have 30 bursaries for the BA Social Work at University of Leeds for students in years two and three. We will recommend students for the social work bursary based on an assessment at initial interview. This ranking will be sent to NHS Bursaries. The final decision on eligibility for bursaries remains with NHS Bursaries.

The bursary system is currently under review. Find out more at NHS Bursaries.

Career opportunities in social work are excellent. Social workers help people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them to find solutions to their problems. As a social worker you can work in a range of different settings in the private, voluntary or statutory sectors. You can also work with a number of different service users; children and families, young people, people with a disability, people with mental health issues or older people.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Placements

Placements are an integral part of your training.

Students undertake 3 ‘Professional Practice’ modules (1 in each year). These consist of the following placements:

Professional Practice 1: This involves a skills development experience of 20 days within our local community agencies.

Professional Practice 2: This is an assessed 70 day placement within the Leeds and Wakefield Teaching Partnership or the private and voluntary sector.

Professional Practice 3: This is a 100 day placement within the Leeds and Wakefield Teaching Partnership.