Social Work BA (Hons)

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Key information

Duration:
3 years full time
Typical A-level offer:
BBB-BBC
View full entry requirements
UCAS code:
L500
Start date:
September 2026

Are you passionate about social justice, challenging oppression and discrimination, and making a difference? Are you looking for a rewarding career where you improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society? If you want a degree that combines theory and research with practical skills and outstanding job prospects, this course is for you.

Our Social Work BA is an approved social work qualification. It allows you to practise as a social worker in the UK and internationally with a variety of groups including:

  • children and families
  • refugees
  • older people
  • people with disabilities
  • people experiencing mental health difficulties, homelessness, or drug and alcohol issues.

Our teaching draws on our research expertise – you will be taught by experts in the field. We’re proud of our flagship teaching partnership with local employers. Through two practice learning placements, you will have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of social work practice. At Sussex, we understand that social work is a rewarding but challenging profession. Having a low student to staff ratio allows us to get to know you, and support you to meet your potential in a caring and nurturing environment.

The majority of our graduates find jobs in the local area. Many of our alumni have gone on to have successful careers in policy, academia and leadership roles.

Accreditation

  • Approved by Social Work England (SWE) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with SWE as a social worker in England. Find out more

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

There is so much support and encouragement from tutors – this course has changed my life.”Denise Plumstead
Social Work BA
How to apply
Meet with us
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Entry requirements

A-level

Typical offer

BBB-BBC

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

GCSEs

You must have GCSE (or equivalent) English, with at least grade 4 (or grade C). We also accept Level 2 Functional Skills in English.

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Additional requirements

You will need to show evidence of basic IT competence and your personal suitability to enter the social work profession in line with national guidance provided by the relevant professional body and regulator.

Extended Project Qualification

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.  We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

30 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

GCSEs

You must have GCSE (or equivalent) English, with at least grade 4 (or grade C). We also accept Level 2 Functional Skills in English.

Additional requirements

You will need to demonstrate evidence of suitable ability in English, basic IT competence and your personal suitability to enter the social work profession, in line with national guidance provided by the relevant professional body and regulator.

 

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer

Overall result of at least 75%

Additional requirements

You must have GCSE (or equivalent) English, with at least grade 4 (or grade C). We also accept Level 2 Functional Skills in English.

Other international qualifications

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about IELTS

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

 

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

English language qualifications

Country exceptions

Admissions information for applicants

Disclosure and barring service check

Yes. All candidates offered a place on the course will be required to satisfactorily complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check of all cautions and warnings as well as convictions, before their place on the course is confirmed. International students will additionally be required to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Health check requiredYes
Interview

Yes. Find out more about preparing for a Social Work university interview.

Specific application procedures

Yes. Find out more about specific entry procedures for this course.

Transfers into Year 2

No

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

How to apply
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Modules

This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject.

Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Practice learning

There is currently a minimum of 200 days of learning practice:

  • 170 days will be as part of a placement (70 days in Year 2 and 100 days in Year 3)
  • 30 days will be practice skills workshops (across all your years of study).

In the workshops, you’ll be taught by qualified Social Work practitioners who work locally and teach on topics related to their area of specialism. You’ll:

  • get to apply what you’ve learned to your practice
  • have the opportunity to reflect on your approaches and experiences in a supportive environment.
We plan our workshops in partnership with local employers, service users and carers. This ensures that what you learn helps you progress through your studies and into your first job in adults’ and children’s services social work.
 

Find out more about placements and practice learning at Sussex

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Practice learning

There is currently a minimum of 200 days of learning practice:

  • 170 days will be as part of a placement (70 days in Year 2 and 100 days in Year 3)
  • 30 days will be practice skills workshops (across all your years of study).

In the workshops, you’ll be taught by qualified Social Work practitioners who work locally and teach on topics related to their area of specialism. You’ll:

  • get to apply what you’ve learned to your practice
  • have the opportunity to reflect on your approaches and experiences in a supportive environment.
We plan our workshops in partnership with local employers, service users and carers. This ensures that what you learn helps you progress through your studies and into your first job in adults’ and children’s services social work.
 

Find out more about placements and practice learning at Sussex

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

Study abroad (optional)

Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you

If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student

Practice learning

There is currently a minimum of 200 days of learning practice:

  • 170 days will be as part of a placement (70 days in Year 2 and 100 days in Year 3)
  • 30 days will be practice skills workshops (across all your years of study).

In the workshops, you’ll be taught by qualified Social Work practitioners who work locally and teach on topics related to their area of specialism. You’ll:

  • get to apply what you’ve learned to your practice
  • have the opportunity to reflect on your approaches and experiences in a supportive environment.
We plan our workshops in partnership with local employers, service users and carers. This ensures that what you learn helps you progress through your studies and into your first job in adults’ and children’s services social work.
 

Find out more about placements and practice learning at Sussex

Support from the Department, talks from service users and placement experiences have fully prepared me for my current job.”Apryl Golding
Social Worker, Brighton & Hove Council 

Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Practice learning

There is currently a minimum of 200 days of learning practice:

  • 170 days will be as part of a placement (70 days in Year 2 and 100 days in Year 3)
  • 30 days will be practice skills workshops (across all your years of study).

In the workshops, you’ll be taught by qualified Social Work practitioners who work locally and teach on topics related to their area of specialism. You’ll:

  • get to apply what you’ve learned to your practice
  • have the opportunity to reflect on your approaches and experiences in a supportive environment.
We plan our workshops in partnership with local employers, service users and carers. This ensures that what you learn helps you progress through your studies and into your first job in adults’ and children’s services social work.
 

Find out more about placements and practice learning at Sussex

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2026 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2026/27.

I enjoyed the teaching and research-based lectures. I’ve really taken my learning from university into my current practice.”OLIVER TOBUTT
Social Worker, Duty and Assessment Team, East Sussex County Council
How to apply
TEF 2023 silver

Silver

The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)

Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive

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Our staff

My own research focuses on the history of social work and social workers, and I share all of my research with my students in my teaching.”Dr Russell Whiting
Lecturer in Social Work and Social Care

Learning environment – Dr Russell Whiting, Social Work BA

Apply now
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Fees

Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2026/27 – please check back in September 2025. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Scholarships

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2026/27.

How to apply
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Careers

Supporting people to make significant life choices as well as promoting human rights, wellbeing and social change is a special position to be in. The role of a social worker is varied and rewarding.

During your course, you’ll be taught by:

  • social work academics with specialist research interests and practice expertise
  • experienced social work practitioners
  • members of our experts by experience network.

This enables you to gain knowledge and skills that will make you highly employable.

Graduate destinations

There continues to be a demand for social workers locally and nationally. Some of our Social Work graduates have even gone on to work in Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Australia.

Recent Social Work graduates who completed placements in children and family settings have started jobs in:

  • child protection teams
  • adoption and fostering teams
  • youth offending services
  • disability services.

Recent Social Work graduates who completed placements in adults settings have started jobs in:

  • hospital social work
  • mental health social work
  • drugs and alcohol social work.

(Department of Social Work and Social Care careers database)

Find out more about a career in social work at BBC Bitesize: How to become a social worker: Omar’s story

Working while you study

Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

My research focuses on how social workers develop their professional identity to become the best advocates for vulnerable children and families. Our BA draws on this, and lets you integrate theory into practice through our links with employers.”Dr Henry Smith
Lecturer in Social Work

Graduate prospects – Dr Russell Whiting, Social Work BA

Design your future at Sussex

Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.

As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:

  • our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
  • one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
  • entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.

Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you

National Enterprise Educator Awards logo

Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services logo

Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024

Rate My Placement Awards - Celebrating the Best Student Employers and Universities for Work Experience

Top 50
Best Universities for Work Experience in the UK
2025 RateMyPlacement Awards

How to apply
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