Everything you need to know...
Student satisfaction
This course scored 90% for overall satisfaction in the 2022 National Student Survey.
Course summary
- Gain key skills and knowledge to work with young people and their families.
- Learn directly from 400 hours of valuable placement experience.
- Study alongside others on a supportive, collaborative course, with no exams.
- Current opportunities to work abroad (on an organised placement or as a volunteer with European refugee support groups) – with the possibility of funding through the Turing Scheme.
On this course you will develop an excellent grounding for further studies or to work with children, young people and families. You will focus on important contemporary topics such as child safeguarding and child and adolescent development and parenting – alongside interdisciplinary-focused modules and work placements. You will graduate with a diverse range of skills that make a real difference.
Student View
How you learn
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.
This course provides high-quality work placements alongside enriching and enjoyable teaching sessions. We are a team of supportive and dedicated professionals from a range of relevant backgrounds. The modules are designed to introduce and develop your confidence and understanding of the principles and skills you will need to work with children, young people and families. Alongside university teaching sessions, you will learn from two x 200 hour placements of work-based learning experience.
You learn through
- workshop-style sessions from current practitioners and experts
- case studies, presentations and assignments
- placements in a wide range of statutory, voluntary and independent settings
- one-to-one support from an academic adviser
- on-placement learning support
- technology designed to enhance your learning experience
Course leaders and tutors

Paula Green
Principal LecturerStaff profile for Paula Green, principal lecturer at Sheffield Hallam
Applied learning
Applied learning is the ethos at the heart of all Sheffield Hallam courses – meaning you are given the opportunity to put your studies into practice.
You will be taught by professionals who are active in their field, so you'll get cutting-edge, practice-focused knowledge of your subject. You will gain real-world skills and insights through placements, workshops and a range of development opportunities.
Work-based learning is embedded into both years of the course, so you will develop your workplace skills and confidence alongside building a solid knowledge and understanding of your subject. These will help you to build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity and curiosity as a developing professional. This will take place in different practice learning environments, reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered.
In-class knowledge and theory will help prepare you for practice-learning experiences on placement. You will also bring your practice-learning experiences into the classroom to reflect and explore more fully. Modules are designed to help you not only apply theory to practice, but also to develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice in order to become life-long, competent professionals.

Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- educational settings
- social care and health settings
- public, private and third sector roles supporting children and young people
- family support and early intervention
- community development and outreach
Or you could further study one of the following Sheffield Hallam University courses
- BA (Honours) Working with Children Young People and Families – guaranteed progression route to all graduates of this foundation degree
- BA (Honours) Social Work – entry into the second year (via a competitive interview for limited places)
- BA (Honours) Childhood Studies – entry into the third year
- BA (Honours) Early Childhood Studies – entry into the third year
- BA (Honours) Teaching and Learning in Primary Education (5-11) with QTS (top up)
Student success story
Up to 30 students on the University's social work, social care and community studies courses put everything they learned into practice when they travelled to Calais and Dunkirk to help displaced migrants.
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 | Keeping safe on Campus

Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment 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.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
64
This must include at least 24 points from an A level or equivalent BTEC National qualification. For example:
- CC at A Level
- MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense 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 social science, health studies, health science, nursing or another relevant course. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3.
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 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.5 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 on the 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 must 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.
- 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 this check can be found here
- 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 must undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
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.
Pre-course Day
After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK you are expected to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the professional requirements of your course. This is also an opportunity to meet fellow applicant to the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, some current students and teaching staff.
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, you must 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 take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
The Disability Disclosure booklet 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. You can contact our disability co-ordinator for social work and social care on 0114 225 5769 to discuss any queries you may have or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
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.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, contact our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
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.
Year 1
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Module: Child Development | Credits: 20 |
Module: Multiagency Communication And Intervention | Credits: 20 |
Module: Personal, Professional And Academic Development | Credits: 20 |
Module: Safeguarding And Assessment | Credits: 20 |
Module: Work-Based Learning One (Academic) | Credits: 20 |
Module: Work-Based Learning One (Practice) | Credits: 20 |
Final year
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Module: Developing Collaborative Partnerships | Credits: 20 |
Module: Theory And Practice Of Parenting | Credits: 20 |
Module: Using And Evaluating Evidence To Inform Practice | Credits: 20 |
Module: Work-Based Learning Two (Academic) | Credits: 20 |
Module: Work-Based Learning Two (Practice) | Credits: 20 |
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Module: Creative Methods | Credits: 20 |
Module: Refugees And Migrant Families | Credits: 20 |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 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.

Health and social care funding
Find out how to fund your studies by visiting our health and social care pages for more information.
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, 209.1KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

Health and social care funding
Find out how to fund your studies by visiting our health and social care pages for more information.