Social Work Lancaster University

Make a real difference in society with this course accredited by Social Work England. Our strong partnerships with employers mean you will benefit from high quality placements that will grow your confidence. The curriculum is brought to life by inspiring lecturers who include experienced social workers. We offer tailored support to ensure you thrive, graduating confident and ready to make a meaningful impact in your future career.

Why Lancaster?

• Accredited by Social Work England (SWE), when you successfully complete this course, you will be eligible to apply to join the register as a professional social worker in England

• Benefit from partnerships with local social work employers, who provide high quality placements and teach parts of the course

• Put your skills into practice with 170 days of placement experience, as well as 30 skills days, allowing you to integrate your knowledge into real-world settings

• Take advantage of Lancaster’s top expertise and facilities, such as The Centre for Child and Family Justice Research - meaning you’ll be at the forefront of live projects and initiatives

• Learn from a team of experts who are committed to improving the lives of vulnerable people in our society through both their research and practice

• We foster a diverse and inclusive community, and welcome international students

Sound knowledge to underpin career success

You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills that are essential for effective social work practice with individuals, families and communities. The programme’s emphasis on social justice fosters critical and reflective thinking, empowering you to navigate contemporary national and global complexities and uncertainties.

Throughout the programme, you will engage with real-world issues such as helping families to remain together, homelessness, mental health issues, disability, challenges facing youth, as well as individuals displaced by conflict or natural disasters. You'll gain practical experience within these topic areas, ensuring you are ready to make a meaningful impact in your future career.

A hands-on learning experience

You will benefit from learning alongside passionate lecturers, practitioners, service users, and carers, both in the classroom and during two practice placements. You will get experience working within social work organisations which typically include local authorities, the NHS, charities, education, private sector organisations, and voluntary agencies.

You could be working with children and families, helping those with mental health issues or disability, assisting older adults or providing support to those without a home. All these experiences will provide essential skills that you will be able to draw on in your future career. As well as practical experience, the teaching team are dedicated to helping you become an analytical, empathetic professional who is well-prepared to face the challenges of contemporary social work.

Shape the future of social work

Our teaching team includes colleagues who are outstanding teachers, as well as experienced social workers, advocates and change-makers. Team members are leading or contributing to national and international policy and practice developments regarding compassionate safeguarding practices and family justice, harms to children from natural disasters, displacement, trauma and global uncertainty, harms in the online environment, youth futures and youth resilience, as well as mental distress and disability.

We are solution focused and work in partnership with social work and social justice agencies to drive forward innovative practice change. Members of the teaching team are global research leaders, while other members continue to practise as social workers in statutory sector services and charities.

We aim to inspire you to follow in our footsteps and become a part of a new generation of social workers who value human rights and social justice.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

BBB

Access to HE Diploma

24 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 21 Level 3 credits at Merit

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

BTEC in combination with A levels

A level at grade B plus BTEC(s) at DM, or A level at grade C plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BC plus BTEC at D

International Baccalaureate

30 overall with 15 points from the best 3 HL subjects

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Merit overall

GCSE requirements

English Language grade 4/C. We will accept other qualifications in English including O level grade C, CSE grade 1, Functional Skills Level 2 Pass.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

Additional requirements

We want to ensure that you have some relevant understanding before studying with us. In your personal statement please outline relevant academic learning and learning through reflecting upon your experiences, which may include voluntary work, employment, personal experience and holding positions of responsibility. These experiences do not need to be extensive but your reflection on your skills in leadership and skills in working with and alongside others is essential. Candidates with appropriate qualifications will be invited to take part in one of our interview days, where applicants can learn more about our programme, and complete assessments that inform our final decision, such as an individual interview and a written test.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.