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The UWS BA (Hons) Social Work provides a transformational student-centred learning experience, specifically designed for graduates to thrive in contemporary social work practice.
The degree is rich in practice authenticity and seeks to develop essential applied knowledge and skills to thrive in a challenging yet hugely rewarding social work career. The BA (Hons) Social Work has been accredited by the Scottish Social Services Council. The degree content, assessments, readings and discussions aid the development of a professional identity to ensure graduates flourish in practice.
If you have the drive and personal qualities to thrive in a profession that requires professional relationship building, informed decision-making and critical thinking in often complex and emotive circumstances, we would love to hear from you.
Successful candidates will demonstrate passion for the profession, be IT competent and must register with the Scottish Social Services Council as a social work student.
Discover more about the UWS Lived Experience Panel, which supports students throughout their journey at UWS and ensures that they are aware of the expectations that services users have of social work practitioners.
The aim of the Lived Experience Panel is absolutely to be with Social Work students throughout their career as Social Work students.”
Sarah Anderson, UWS Lived Experience Panel member
96% of students were satisfied with the teaching on the course (National Student Survey 2025)
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
We would welcome candidates who share a commitment to social justice and have the necessary personal qualities to flourish in such a challenging yet rewarding profession.
Candidates need to be eligible to register with the Scottish Services Council (SSSC) as a social work student and be IT competent.
It would be advantageous for candidates to have some voluntary or paid experience in a social work/care setting such as a charity or voluntary organisation working with people, prior to applying.
Entry remains a competitive process. We will prioritise applicants who are able to demonstrate the following qualities in their application:
An offer of a place on the BA (Hons) Social Work is made on the basis of:
All with Grades ABB
All with Grade B in Graded Units.
Grade - Pass (Achieved)
* All HNCs must include SQA National 5 English and Maths at Grade C, or equivalent.
All HNCs require an A in the Graded Unit.
Grade - Merit (Achieved with Merit)
* All HNCs must include SQA National 5 English and Maths at Grade C, or equivalent.
Successful applicants who gain a place on this course will need to register on the PVG Scheme, managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. An application form will be sent from the University once you have accepted your offer. The fee for joining the scheme is £59.
Visit the Disclosure Scotland website for more information on the PVG scheme.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. UWS courses available are:
Why not add language modules in BSL, French or Spanish to your studies which can count towards your degree or as extra modules? Go on! Broaden your horizons, extend your international perspective and enhance your CV.
Study languagesDesigned in collaboration with stakeholders, this programme meets the requirements of the Scottish Government and has been approved by the Scottish Social Services Council. Lecturers are registered social workers with wide-ranging expertise and students are addressed by guest lecturers and service users.
The first two years of the course cover the theoretical base for social work. The final two years concentrate on applying that theory and knowledge into practice on two practice learning placements.
Placements are varied and have taken place in organisations, including:
It is a requirement for all successful candidates to register with the Scottish Social Services Council and to maintain this registration for the duration of study. Further information about registering is available here www.sssc.uk.com/registration
Programme content and learning is focused on developing essential foundational knowledge relevant to the social work profession.
Programme content and learning is designed to enhance applied knowledge and specialist skills relevant to practising social work.
Programme content and learning develops abilities to apply learning to professional practice.
Programme content and learning is designed to increase confidence and competence with critical practice.
The programme prides itself on developing a learning community amongst social work students. Teaching uses a variety of methods to stimulate, engage and develop knowledge and skills. Students are expected to consolidate learning with regular reading and discussion.
Programme assessment is practice relevant and varied. Assessment feedback commentary is identified as a strength on programme and will always seek to consolidate student strengths and identify areas for future development.
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
Graduates from the UWS BA (Hons) Social Work programme have an established record in securing related employment promptly upon graduation. The applied knowledge and specialist skills developed throughout the programme are key attributes sought by external social work employers.
The programme prepares students well for further study in related disciplines, should they choose to. Previous graduates have chosen further study in Social Policy, Psychology, Sociology and Criminology.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£15,500 per year of study
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,790 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,790 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£16,275 per year of study
Estimated costs per year of study.
Core textbooks (also available in the library in print or online): £100 (Years 1-4, Optional)
Scottish Social Services Council Registration (application fee and annual declaration): £15 (Years 1-4, Mandatory)
Protection of Vulnerable Groups check (required when commencing studies and again in year 3 prior to placement. UWS pay £18 for a revised PVG): £18 (Years 1&3, Mandatory)
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASAll UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS. You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
UK students
Our enquiry team is here to help: ask@uws.ac.uk
International students
Contact our dedicated international team: international@uws.ac.uk
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.