BA Social Work
About this course
BA (Hons) in Social Work BA (Hons), a social work degree focusing on professional practice, legislation, and safeguarding. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Human Behaviour. The curriculum includes two supervised practice placements lasting 70 and 100 days respectively. The first year covers foundational law, sociology, psychology, and professional readiness through Understanding Law and Policy in Social Work, Introduction to Social Work, Readiness for Social Work Practice, Decision Making and Professional Judgement in Social Work, Sociology and Psychology in Social Work Contexts, and Understanding Contemporary Social Concepts. The second year advances applied competencies via the 70 Day Practice Placement, Theories and Models for Social Work Practice, Social Justice and Effective Practice, Safeguarding Adults and Children, and The Practitioner Researcher. The final year involves the 100 Day Practice Placement, Transition into Professional Practice, and an independent Dissertation.
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
Our BA Social Work Degree entry requirements for applicants include at least one of the following: BBC at A-Level or DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or 45 Merits on an Access Course or T Level – Merit. We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications. Please note that we may consider other qualifications not listed above on an individual basis, please contact our Admissions team to discuss these in further detail. Other Entry Requirements: All applicants for the BA Social Work course must have GCSE in Maths and English Language grade C/4 , or a certified Level 2 equivalent, regardless of other qualifications. Applicants without these will not be considered. In addition to standard entry requirements, you must demonstrate that you possess the entry level requirements under the Professional Capabilities Framework . This framework includes: awareness of social context for social work practice, self-awareness, ability to develop rapport and potential to develop relevant knowledge, skills and values through professional training. You will need to have had experience of working with people who are experiencing challenges. This can be through volunteering or in paid employment. This experience should be over a period of at least six months and have totalled at least 250 hours. All offers of a place on the BA Social Work course are subject to: satisfactory health declaration successful Occupational Health Screening enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and successful interview by the University. Occupational Health Clearance: All healthcare students are required to undertake a standard Occupational Health Clearance which will assess your health and immunisation record and assess your fitness for the programme you
What students say
Based on about 21 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 5%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 50%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 35%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Nursing Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 40 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East Midlands: 45%
- West Midlands: 15%
- East of England: 15%
- South East: 20%
- South West: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 70%
- Access course: 25%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 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, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Understanding Law and Policy in Social Work
- Introduction to Social Work
- Readiness for Social Work Practice
- Decision Making and Professional Judgement in Social Work
- Sociology and Psychology in Social Work Contexts
- Understanding Contemporary Social Concepts
- 70 Day Practice Placement
- Theories and Models for Social Work Practice
- Social Justice and Effective Practice
- Safeguarding Adults and Children
- The Practitioner Researcher
- 100 Day Practice Placement
- Transition into Professional Practice
- Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social Work at University of Northampton earn?
The median salary is £34,000 after 15 months, £30,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £39,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Social work.
What do graduates of BA Social Work at University of Northampton do next?
85% 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 Northampton?
84% 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 Northampton?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 130 UCAS points.
Is BA Social Work at University of Northampton 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 Northampton?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.