BA Social Work
About this course
BA (Hons) Social Work is a social work degree centred on the theory and practice of supporting vulnerable individuals and communities. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The curriculum incorporates extensive practice-based learning days to prepare students for professional practice environments. The first year covers foundational concepts through Applied Social Work Theories, Contemporary Issues in Social Work, Safeguarding in Context, and Standards and Skills for Social Work Practice 1. The second year progresses into specialised areas with Social Work with Children and Families, Social Work with Adults, Research - Evaluating Knowledge and Evidence in Practice, and Standards and Skills for Social Work Practice 2, alongside optional modules such as Can We Work Together to Safeguard Vulnerable Families? and Do we know what it takes to be an Anti-Racist?. The final year concludes with Wellbeing - A Life Course Perspective, Understanding Professional Practice, Standards and Skills for Social Work Practice 3, and an independent Undergraduate Major Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
112-96 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, OCR, Access to HE and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff. 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English. If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 7.0 ( Academic level with a minimum of 7 in each component) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University. Please note that the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) is not accepted for this course due to Professional Body Restrictions. Relevant vocational experience is an advantage.
What students say
Based on about 29 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 69%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started
- Continued on course: 84%
- Left higher education: 13%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 4%
What graduates do next
Based on about 19 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 70%
- Caring personal services: 15%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 95%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 100 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 79%
- London: 9%
- South East: 3%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started
- A levels: 60%
- Access course: 25%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Applied Social Work Theories
- Contemporary Issues in Social Work
- Safeguarding in Context
- Standards and Skills for Social Work Practice 1
- Into ARU
- Social Work with Children and Families
- Standards and Skills for Social Work Practice 2
- Social Work with Adults
- Research - Evaluating Knowledge and Evidence in Practice
- Can We Work Together to Safeguard Vulnerable Families?
- Do we know what it takes to be an Anti-Racist?
- What does it mean to be a feminist?
- Rise of the Peterborians - can we create positive change
- Wellbeing - A Life Course Perspective
- Understanding Professional Practice
- Undergraduate Major Project
- Standards and Skills for Social Work Practice 3
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social Work at Anglia Ruskin University earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £30,500 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £41,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Social work.
What do graduates of BA Social Work at Anglia Ruskin University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Social Work at Anglia Ruskin University?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Social Work at Anglia Ruskin University?
The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Social Work at Anglia Ruskin University?
84% of students continued into their second year, and 13% left higher education.