BA (Honours) Social Work

Year of Entry 2024/25
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BA (Honours)

Social Work

Full-time Social work

Prepare for a career in social work through supervised practical experience in local social work settings.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £9,250 per year
    International/EU: £16,655 per year

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    3 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    Collegiate Campus

  • Bookmark

    What are the entry requirements?

    120 UCAS Points

  • Checkmark

    What is the UCAS code?

    L500

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2024


Employability

100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 89% in highly skilled employment or further study (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey).

Course summary

  • Study the theories, methods and values that inform social work.
  • Develop your skills to prepare you for a rewarding career.
  • Apply your learning and experience in practice placements.
  • Benefit from supervised practical work in a range of social work settings.
  • Home students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year.

On this course you will learn how to work with children, families and vulnerable adults who experience problems in their lives, or whose actions cause problems for others. You will be learning at university, on practice placements and through skills days. We will make sure your learning is up to date and informed by current research evidence.

Accredited by
  • Social Work England

This course was approved by the previous social work regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council. From 2 December 2019, responsibility for the approval of courses transferred to Social Work England. This course remains approved by Social Work England. This means that people qualifying from this course can apply to become a registered social worker.



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How you learn

Your lecturer's view
Watch senior lecturer Jane Foggin talk about this course.
Student View

Watch student Kayley Brownhill talk about the BA Social Work course at Sheffield Hallam University.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Our staff are qualified and experienced social workers. We also invite practitioners, service users and other professionals to discuss issues that are relevant to the profession. You will have a personal tutor to assist with your learning and academic progress – and you will learn with, from and about students studying on other courses.

This intellectually rewarding course allows you to engage with the world beyond the university. You will apply research-based knowledge to make a positive impact on the real world of social care – including service users, future employers and other health and social care practitioners.

You learn through

  • work placements
  • role play
  • real-life case studies
  • simulated practice scenarios
  • written assignments
  • individual and group presentations
  • exams

There are also currently opportunities to study and work abroad – with the possibility of funding.

Course leaders and tutors

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Louise Whitehead
Course Leader, BA (Hons) Social Work

Staff profile for Louise Whitehead, Course Leader, BA (Hons) Social Work at Sheffield Hallam University

Applied learning

Work placements

You will apply the theory you study to practice-based learning experiences. Here you will develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice – preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional. The experiences you are provided with are compulsory to achieve the course’s practice-based learning outcomes.

These experiences will help you build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity, and curiosity. They will take place in different practice-based learning environments – reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered. This might include simulated learning and virtual placements, alongside real-world experience of services delivered face to face to service users. 

We ensure the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) which governs the social work profession. So by the end of your course, you have the opportunity to show that you meet the requirements to register as a qualified social worker.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a child and adult social work career in

  • local authorities
  • independent and third sector organisations
  • national and local voluntary organisations

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities 


Collegiate Campus map
Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

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Students outside Collegiate Library
Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Equipment and facilities

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

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Health and Social Care Facilities Tour

Learn what it's like to study health and social care at our Collegiate Campus from our adult nursing student Alex.

Entry requirements

All students

UCAS points

120

from A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We do not accept AS levels. We accept A level General Studies.

For example:

  • BBB at A Level
  • DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Merit overall from a T level qualification
  • A combination of qualifications, which may include general studies

You can find information on making  of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

Or

  • Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, social sciences or nursing. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.
  • If you are in the process of completing the FdSc Professional Practice in Health and Social Care at one of our partner colleges and are looking to progress your career as a registered professional, we would welcome an application from you. Please note the different application routes below:
    • Completing the level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Professional Practice in Health and Social Care means you can apply via UCAS to be considered for entry at Year 1 of your chosen professional degree
    • Completing the full two year FdSc to level 5 means you can apply to be considered for entry in to Year 2 of this professional degree. This is a direct application process in accordance with the partnership arrangement between Sheffield Hallam University and your college, not via UCAS. Please note that places to commence this course in Year 2 are limited.

If you already hold a first degree with a second class honours (2:2) or above, you may be eligible to study our Masters in Social Work.

Other equivalent qualifications are considered individually.

And

GCSEs in

  • English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
  • *GCSE English equivalents
    • Level 2 Literacy
    • Level 2 Key Skills

IELTS

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.

Helping your application succeed

Experience

Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.

Reference

You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.

View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.

Course enrolment - professional requirements

Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration forms provided during the admissions process:

  • unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
  • involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
  • involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
  • enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University

In addition

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check

  • you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
  • you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
  • if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
  • where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.

Occupational Health Screening

You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.

Immunisations

You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.

Pre-course Day

After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.

Other professional suitability information

Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received. 

If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.

Disability support

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.

You can contact our disability coordinator on 0114 225 2588 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).

The Disability Disclosure booklet (PDF, 275.6KB) provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.

Open day

Our online open days give you an opportunity to chat live to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities virtually as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our online open days please follow this link: University open days.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Applied Theories For Social Work Practice
Credits 20
Assessment
Collaboration For Individual And Community Wellbeing
Credits 20
Assessment
Personal And Professional Development
Credits 20
Assessment
Preparing For Social Work Practice
Credits 40
Assessment
Skills Days Attendance (Ba Sw)
Credits -
Assessment
Social Work Law Policy And Practice
Credits 20
Assessment
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Assessing And Addressing Complexity
Credits 40
Assessment
Evidence And Enquiry For Practice
Credits 20
Assessment
Placement And Skills Days Attendance (Ba Sw)
Credits -
Assessment
Placement One For Social Work Practice
Credits 20
Assessment
Working With Adults
Credits 20
Assessment
Working With Children And Families
Credits 20
Assessment
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Placement And Skills Days Attendance (Ba Sw)
Credits -
Assessment
Placement Two For Social Work Practice
Credits 40
Assessment
Professional Leadership
Credits 20
Assessment
The Advancing Professional
Credits 40
Assessment
Working With Complexity In Practice
Credits 20
Assessment

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year.
HSC bursary image

Health and social care funding

Home fee-paying students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year. You may also be eligible for additional financial support based on your circumstances.

Learn more

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Social work courses (PDF, 214.3KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

HSC bursary image

Health and social care funding

Home fee-paying students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year. You may also be eligible for additional financial support based on your circumstances.

Learn more
 

How do I apply?

Apply now via UCAS

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

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Training

We are one of the largest training providers of health and social care in the UK, giving you access to cross-discipline learning

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