BA Social Work
About this course
BA (Hons) Social Work is a social work degree focusing on the professional practice and legislative frameworks required to support vulnerable individuals across communities. Core topics include Research Methods and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Approved by Social Work England, the curriculum incorporates 170 days of professional work placements across the second and third years to build practical competence. The first year introduces foundational subjects such as Law and Social Policy, Politics, Discrimination and Social Justice, Development through the Life Course, and Safeguarding Adults and Children. The second year builds on this foundation with modules including Professional Skills 2: Applying Models of Assessment and Intervention in Practice, Understanding and Developing Research and Evidence Based Practice, Working with Children, and Working with Adults, alongside the First Placement. The final year extends professional capabilities through Professional Skills 3: Specialist Skills for Social Work Practice, Contemporary Issues in Social Work, Organisational Factors and Leadership in Social Work, and the Final Placement. Students also complete a dissertation and engage in critical evaluation of practice.
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
104-120 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table. Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range. GCSE English Language at C/4 or above. Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Adult Literacy are also accepted. A full list of acceptable level 2 qualifications can be found here: Level 2 Acceptable Entry Requirements . FITNESS TO PRACTISE All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening. Further information will be provided following acceptance of an offer (and no earlier than three months before the course start date). Please note that Professional Bodies, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), have certain requirements regarding the health and good character status of applicants and students. Please read the NMC and HCPC information to find out more. For more information about core competencies and medical fitness to train please click here . In some instances, an applicant may be invited to attend a professional practice panel to discuss any recommended reasonable adjustments, and whether or not core professional competencies are achievable. For information about Medical Clearance and vaccination requirements click here . DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK If you accept an offer of a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check. Details on the policy can be found here . If you think you have a criminal conviction You will need to submit a Criminal Record Self Disclosure Form as part of the process For more information on this and the form itself, please refer to Self-disclosure of criminal record . GCSEs: GCSE English Language at C/4 or above. A-levels: BCC-BBB. T-levels: M. All subjects are accepted however we recommend T level Education and Childcare for entry to this course. Access to HE: 21 credits at Distinction and 24 at Merit. Scottish Highers: BBBC-AABB. Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – A2x4. Other experience: Work experience in a social work/care setting is preferred but not essential. Alternative routes: If don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Health and Social Care with Integrated Foundation Year as an alternative route to
What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 70%
- Learning opportunities: 71%
- Assessment and feedback: 63%
- Academic support: 76%
- Organisation and management: 39%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 60%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 12 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 15%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 70%
- Caring personal services: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 85%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 75 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 8%
- North West: 81%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 1%
- Scotland: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 55%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 30%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Approved by the Social Work England for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England as a social worker in England
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Law and Social Policy
- Politics, Discrimination and Social Justice
- Professional Skills 1: Core Skills for Working with People
- Development through the Life Course
- Experts By Experience
- Safeguarding Adults and Children
- Professional Skills 2: Applying Models of Assessment and Intervention in Practice
- Understanding and Developing Research and Evidence Based Practice
- First Placement
- Reflection on Practice
- Working with Children
- Working with Adults
- Professional Skills 3: Specialist Skills for Social Work Practice
- Dissertation
- Critical Evaluation of Social Work Practice
- Organisational Factors and Leadership in Social Work
- Contemporary Issues in Social Work
- Final Placement
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social Work at University of Cumbria earn?
The median salary is £32,000 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £34,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Social work.
What do graduates of BA Social Work at University of Cumbria do next?
100% 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 University of Cumbria?
70% 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 University of Cumbria?
The typical offer is BCC at A level. The average entrant had 127 UCAS points.
Is BA Social Work at University of Cumbria accredited?
Yes. Approved by the Social Work England for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England as a social worker in England
How many students continue on BA Social Work at University of Cumbria?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.