BA (Hons) Social Work at University of Plymouth

Programme overview

BA (Hons) Social Work is a full-time degree preparing students to support children, families and adults through safeguarding, mental health and justice challenges, with over 170 days in practice placements. Graduates are eligible to register as qualified social workers.

Department: School of Health Professions | Duration: 3 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Plymouth, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 covers the foundations of social work, professional identity, values, service-user and carer perspectives and 30 days of preparation for practice. Year 2 covers ethical and theoretical perspectives on human development, social sciences, law and social policy, diversity and difference, with a minimum of 70 days on placement. The final year consolidates practice in multi-agency and international contexts, including evidence-informed interventions, with a minimum of 100 days in complex settings.

Career pathways

Social workers work in statutory and non-statutory roles in settings such as hospitals, GP surgeries, children's homes, charities and research, with children, adults, older people, refugees, people with disabilities and young people in the justice system.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer 96 UCAS points. GCSE: 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Mathematics and English at grade 4/C or above. A levels: 96 points from a minimum of 2 A levels, social science preferred. BTEC: DMM, social science subject preferred. Access to HE: named Diploma with at least 33 Level 3 credits at Merit/Distinction including 15 Level 3 credits in Science/Social Science (Social Work, Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, Criminology). T level: Pass overall with grade C in core component (Health and Science pathways preferred). International Baccalaureate: 26 overall including 5 at Higher Level. Applicants must pass Disclosure and Barring Service and occupational health checks and submit a strong personal statement. If English is not the first language and GCSE English grade 4/C is not held, IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all elements (or equivalent). Contextual offers are typically 8 points below the advertised tariff.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27) Source

International applicants: GBP 19,200 a year (2026/27) Source

Duration: 3 years

Health Sciences