BSc (Hons) Social Work at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Programme overview

An honours degree accredited by Social Care Wales that leads to a professional qualification allowing graduates to apply to register as qualified social workers. Combines academic study with supervised practice learning and is taught at Llandaff Campus or Bridgend College.

Faculty: Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy | Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years full time with a foundation year | Intake: 2027 entry | Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year one (practice-based learning of 20 days) covers introduction to professional social work, skills and values, the emerging practitioner, introduction to law and social policy, introduction to assessment and human growth and development. Year two (80-day practice learning opportunity) covers application of law and social policy, social work theories to intervene, evidence informed social work, the reflective practitioner, co-production in practice and outcome focussed practice. Year three (100-day practice learning opportunity) covers social work practice in context, applying evidence informed practice, the competent practitioner and emerging trends in social work.

Career pathways

Registration as a qualified social worker, with careers in child and family services, adults' services and mental health across statutory, private and voluntary sectors; postgraduate study such as teaching in further or higher education.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer for year one entry: 96 tariff points. A levels: minimum three A levels including grades CCC, no specific subjects (Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject). BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM. T Level: Pass (C+). Access to Higher Education Diploma: no specific subjects. Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2. Scottish Advanced Highers: DD. A relevant NVQ Level 3 or 4 in social work or social care is also accepted. GCSE: preferably five at grade C/4 or above including English Language (or Welsh First Language) and Mathematics; applicants may be considered without Mathematics/Numeracy if they have relevant social care experience and an equivalent or relevant work-based Level 3 qualification. Applicants must have some work experience in a social care setting (or, in exceptional circumstances, personal experience as a service user or carer), pass an interview of 15-20 minutes held online, satisfy DBS requirements and meet Social Care Wales registration requirements. A foundation year is available for those who do not meet the standard requirements. Contextual offers are available. English: academic IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in all elements, or equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time home undergraduate tuition fee; may increase by any level permitted by the Welsh Government. Source

International applicants: GBP 16,000 a year (2026/27). Full-time international undergraduate tuition fee. Source

Intake: 2027 entry

Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years full time with a foundation year

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