BA (Hons) Education & Social Services at University of Strathclyde

Programme overview

A BA (Hons) degree developed jointly by the University of Strathclyde and five further education colleges to prepare graduates for settings that combine health education and social work or social care. Students enter college at Diploma of Higher Education level after a relevant HNC and progress to Years 3 and 4 at Strathclyde. A major aim is developing the leadership skills needed for integrated services.

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences | Department: Social Work & Social Policy | Duration: 4 years (Years 1-2 at a participating college, Years 3-4 at Strathclyde) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Six classes in Year 3, including one option, covering professional and personal development, contexts and policy, integration of services, understanding and meeting needs, and workplace practice. Compulsory classes are Management and Leadership in Integrated Services, Contexts, Policy and Joint Working, Education of Looked After Children, Understanding How People Behave, Workplace Learning and Practice 2, and Research Methods. Students complete a six-week project in Year 3 and a 12-week project in Year 4, with placements in Years 2, 3 and 4.

Career pathways

The BA (Hons) is a foundation for postgraduate study; students have progressed to postgraduate study in social work and initial teacher education and achieved professional qualifications.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Year 2 entry: apply first to a participating college (Glasgow Kelvin College, Glasgow Clyde College, South Lanarkshire College or City of Glasgow College) at Diploma of Higher Education level, having studied a relevant HNC such as Early Education and Childcare, Childhood Practice, Health Care, Care and Administrative Practice, Social Care or Social Services, Additional Support Needs or Supporting Learning Needs, or Working with Communities. Progression to Years 3 and 4 at Strathclyde requires confirmation from the Board of Examiners that progression requirements are met and a personal statement outlining commitment to continuing. Year 3 direct entry: relevant HND (for example Additional Support Needs, Social Sciences, Childhood Practice or Social Care) and relevant practice experience working with children, young people or adults; a personal statement is required and applicants may be interviewed. Offer holders must join or update the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and, if they have lived outside the UK for three consecutive months or more in the past five years, provide a Certificate of Good Conduct.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Rest of UK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland) rate for full-time undergraduate programmes; Scotland-domiciled fee to be confirmed by the Scottish Funding Council Source

International applicants: GBP 24,100 a year (2027/28). Full-time tuition per academic year. Source

Duration: 4 years (Years 1-2 at a participating college, Years 3-4 at Strathclyde)

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