The BA (Hons) Social Work Graduate Apprenticeship is a fully funded degree designed for those ready to enter the world of social work and gain a professional qualification while in full-time, paid employment. It offers a flexible route to qualify as a registered Social Worker while remaining in paid employment. The programme's curriculum has been fully approved by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), ensuring it meets the national standards for Social Work Education.
This pioneering programme is currently running a pilot year with key employer partners. As part of this pilot, entry was available only for Year 2 via APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) for existing staff.
Following the completion of our pilot year, we are pleased to announce that applications for the September 2026 intake will be open for Year 2 entry (SCQF Level 8).
This entry route is specifically tailored for existing staff currently working in social work settings who can demonstrate the required prior learning and practice experience. Applicants for this intake will enter directly into the second year of the four-year honours degree.
Contact our dedicated Workplace Learning team to find out more and discuss future partnership opportunities
Email: apprenticeships@uws.ac.uk
Please note: All future intakes and entry levels are subject to a successful pilot year and continued SSSC approval.
Graduate Apprenticeships are built on a partnership between employers, apprentices and UWS. This enables apprentices to align their learning with their workplace activities and apply their new skills and learning in a professional environment from day one.
To do this, apprentices are supported by a dedicated UWS Link Tutor and a Workplace Mentor will work together to maximise the opportunities to accredit the learning taking place in the apprentices’ workplace activities.
As a result, Graduate Apprentices are uniquely placed to integrate their academic skills, knowledge and practices with their workplace practices, which contributes to increased benefits for communities.
The applied knowledge and specialist skills developed throughout the programme are key attributes sought by social work employers, and therefore opportunities for career advancement will open up upon graduation.
work-based learning
Understanding and Skills
The BA (Hons) Social Work (Graduate Apprenticeship) has been developed in partnership with industry to ensure that the learning is aligned to an organisation's needs.
The course fully embraces the principles of work-based learning. It is delivered over four years and apprentices undertake 120 credits per year (three terms per year). Work-based learning and Work-based assessment strongly underpin the course.
Apprentices are taught by our GA teaching team of subject-matter experts from the School of Education and Social Sciences who deliver modules through personalised tuition, support, and feedback. Our team of dedicated UWS Link Tutors are also on-hand to help apprentices to integrate their learning into their workplace and support the delivery of the work-based learning modules.
Year 1 of the programme introduces students to foundational knowledge, such as the history, organisation and role of social work services in contemporary society, as well as introductions to psychology, sociology and social policy for social work. The aim here is to give students an introduction to social work anchored by a solid foundation in social science before building on this with more specialist social work modules in Year 2.
Modules covered in Year 1 are:
Year 2 of the programme will focus on building critical knowledge and developing specialist professional skills in preparation for practice. Core dimensions of critical reflection, effective communication, and application of theory to practice are explored across social work specific modules. There is a focus here on developing professional identity and starting to engage with people who use services (for example, the module Responsivity in Practice is largely facilitated by service users and organisations, and students have opportunities to interact, build core skills and co-produce knowledge within a classroom environment).
Modules covered in Year 2 are:
Year 3 of the programme will focus on the student transition to practice. This transition begins with active engagement in simulated practice scenarios across Term 1 as part of a single 60 credit module: Advanced Skills. In this module students have the opportunity to work collaboratively with each other and with experts from practice to apply their knowledge and skills to a range of real-world situations they will encounter during their formal practice learning opportunities. The module aims to prepare students for placement in Term 2 of Year 3. This will be an 80-day practice learning opportunity where students are required to evidence all Standards in Social Work Education and Ethical Principles (SSSC, 2019) and where they will consolidate their learning from years 1 and 2 by applying specialist knowledge and skills in a real practice environment.
Modules covered in Year 3 are:
Year 4 of the programme will commence with the final placement for the apprentice. This will be a 100-day practice learning opportunity, and as with the first placement, students will again evidence all Standards in Social Work Education and Ethical Principles (SSSC, 2019) as well as demonstrating readiness for practice by their critical application of specialist (and now advanced) knowledge and skills in professional practice settings. Students also engage with a 'capstone' research-based assessment that links their knowledge with their practice experience through the production of an academic poster and assignment providing an in-depth desk-based study of their practice setting. Students at this stage also engage in activities designed to prepare them for employment as professional social workers, including an assessment connected to identifying ongoing professional development needs in the form of an Individual Learning Plan. Embedded in Year 4 will be a transitions curriculum to support GA preparation for the Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) Supported Year in Practice. This will be done by dedicating sessions to introduce final year students to the Core Elements that all NQSW’s will be required to evidence in their first twelve months as a registered social worker. All activity in Year 4 will be covered in a single 120 credit module covering the entire academic year. The aim here is to end the programme with a fully integrated learning experience for students where theory, knowledge, skills and practice come together to form a unified consolidation of four years’ worth of study in preparation for the professional workplace.
The module covered in Year 4 is:
The social work team embraces an active approach to teaching and learning, building development around critical reflection, abstract conceptualisation, and practical application of theory. Methods include case studies, problem-based activities, skills simulation, flipped classrooms, group presentations, and enquiry-based learning. The hybrid approach also helps prepare students for working in agile environments and developing digital literacy skills.
The team embraces a compassionate, strengths-based approach to assessment and feedback.
Apprentices will engage with a wide range of assessment types in a process of continuous assessment throughout the programme, designed to meet diverse learning needs.
These include:
Apprentices will receive continuous feedback throughout the year, both formative and summative. This includes oral feedback in class (in-person and online), personal feedback in tutoring sessions, written feedback on VLE platforms, team feedback (midpoint placement reviews), and tailored feedback directly on assignments. The approach focuses on "feeding-forward" to help with future improvements.
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.
To apply for a GA, applicants must meet SAAS eligibility criteria. GAs are open to both existing employees and new recruits. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of employer support during the application process.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
Admissions Criteria
Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:
SQA National Qualifications:
Standard Entry Requirements: BBBB plus English and Maths at National 5 Grade C or equivalent (Int 2 Maths and English C or above) Standard Grade Maths and English Grade 1 or 2 only)
Minimum entry Requirements: CCCC plus English and Maths at National 5 Grade C or equivalent (Int 2 Maths and English C or above Standard Grade Maths and English Grade 1 or 2 only)
Or GCE A Levels
SQA HNC/HND / BTEC Level 4:
All HNCs and HNDs must include Maths and English at National 5 Grade C or equivalent and must have achieved minimum of B in graded units.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma:
24 points (to include 2 Higher subjects at 4 points plus Mathematics and English at Standard Level Grade 5 or above).
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma:
28 points for consideration to second-year entry (to include 2 Higher subjects at 4 points plus Mathematics and English at Standard Level Grade 5 or above).
Articulated entry:
For entry into Year 2 (Level 8) of the GA pathway through RPL, applicants must have a HNC/HND or relevant degree in social care, social services or other relevant discipline, such as social sciences. All HNCs require an A in the Graded Unit. All HNDs require a minimum of B in graded units. All HNCs and HNDs must include Maths at National 5 Grade C (SCQF Level 5) or equivalent. Applicants without the Maths requirement will be able to sit a numeracy test mapped against SCQF Level 5 to ensure that Scottish Requirements for Social Work Education (SSSC, 2024) are met.
For entry into Year 2 (Level 8) of the GA pathway through APEL, applicants will produce evidence to show how they have met learning outcomes for Year 1 (Level 7) through their prior learning and work experience. This will be done through a written submission mapped to learning outcomes and by a Structured Professional Discussion which involves a presentation by the applicant on the skills and knowledge they bring from work experience, their reasons for applying, and how they plan to balance competing demands of academic and professional commitments during the course of the programme. Capacity in literacy will be assessed through their written submission. As with the RPL process, applicants will be able to sit a numeracy test mapped against SCQF Level 5 to ensure that Scottish Requirements for Social Work Education (SSSC, 2024) are met.
Due to the nature of the programme structure and placement requirements of the social work education accrediting body, candidates are not eligible for articulation beyond level 8.
Other Required Qualifications/Experience
All GA students must have a contract of employment (minimum of 21 hours per week) and approval from their employer to apply for the programme.
All social work students must be registered with the SSSC as social work students and maintain this registration for the duration of study.
English language proficiency is a requirement, with candidates expected to achieve IELTs average standard of 7.0.
Students cannot transfer into this programme without satisfying the programme entry requirements. As above, all GA students must have a contract of employment and approval from their employer to apply for the programme. Transfers from other GA programmes will be at the discretion of the Programme Leader.
Students must disclose any previous convictions during the application process.
Students must disclose any current criminal charges or convictions during study to the programme leader immediately. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
Further desirable skills pre-application
Due to the competitive nature of the admissions process:
SQA HNC/BTEC LEVEL 4 HNC
All HNCs require an A in the Graded Unit.
All HNDs require a minimum of BA in the Graded Units.
All HNCs and HNDs must include Maths and English at National 5 Grade C or equivalent.
Applicants without the Maths requirement will be able to sit a numeracy test mapped against SCQF Level 5 to ensure that Scottish Requirements for Social Work Education (SSSC, 2024) are met.
ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (APEL)
For entry into Year 2 (Level 8) of the GA pathway through APEL, applicants will produce evidence to show how they have met learning outcomes for Year 1 (Level 7) through their prior learning and work experience. This will be done through a written submission mapped to learning outcomes and by a Structured Professional Discussion which involves a presentation by the applicant on the skills and knowledge they bring from work experience, their reasons for applying, and how they plan to balance competing demands of academic and professional commitments during the course of the programme. Capacity in literacy will be assessed through their written submission. As with the RPL process, applicants will be able to sit a numeracy test mapped against SCQF Level 5 to ensure that Scottish Requirements for Social Work Education (SSSC, 2024) are met.
Due to the competitive nature of the admissions process:
All GA students must have a contract of employment (minimum of 21 hours per week) and approval from their employer to apply for the programme.
All social work students must be registered with the SSSC as social work students and maintain this registration for the duration of study.
Students must disclose any previous convictions during the application process.
Students must disclose any current criminal charges or convictions during study to the programme leader immediately. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
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.
The Social Work Graduate Apprenticeship is an employer-led recruitment pathway. Applicants cannot apply directly to the University unless they have first secured a confirmed GA post with a participating employer. You must have secured a GA-specific post or been successful with an internal application within your own organisation prior to application to UWS.
Recruitment Process:
All Social Work GA opportunities will be advertised via participating local authorities and third sector agencies.
Applicants are encouraged to regularly check the recruitment pages of the following key types of organisations:
Next Steps After Securing a Post:
Once a GA post is secured, your employer will provide you with an Employer Support document. You must then submit this, along with your academic qualifications, to the University of the West of Scotland via our online application portal.
To inquire about current participating employers and upcoming recruitment, please contact our dedicated team:
Email: APPRENTICESHIPS@UWS.AC.UK
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,790 cost per year of study
£9,790 cost per year of study
£16,275 cost per year of study
Estimated costs per year of study.
For individuals and organisations who wish to find out more about the BA (Hons) Social Work (Graduate Apprenticeship), please contact our dedicated team:
We 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.