Social Work

BA (Hons)

Attendance mode

Entry year

Typical offer for 2026
Duration
UCAS code
Start date
Location

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Suitable for applications.

Overview

Become a Social Work England-accredited social worker, equipped to practice in a range of settings.

Learn the latest theory and gain hands-on practical experience, in a research-led learning environment. The programme has been developed in close collaboration with partner social work agencies to ensure you develop the skills you need to excel in this challenging profession.

You will study subjects such as:

Human rights
Social justice
Ethics and values in social work
Effective communication
Social policy and legislation
Research into practice such as:
- Gender-based violence
- Suicide

You will learn a range of practice skills to ensure you can work effectively with individuals, families and groups, including the use of art, play and role play.

In years two and three you will develop real-world experience on practice learning modules, enabling you to apply your knowledge in social work settings.

Through our exchange programme with universities in Germany, you can collaborate with international students in joint lectures and teaching sessions. You'll gain invaluable first-hand experience and insight by sharing knowledge, and learn about the differences in approaches to practice.

On graduation you will have a wide range of career opportunities open to you in both the public and private sector. You will also have the tools you need to go on to further study, teaching, and research.

Professional accreditation

The professional status of social worker is conferred by Social Work England. Successful graduates are eligible to register with Social Work England as a qualified social worker.

Find out what course accreditations and approvals are, and how they can help you achieve your future goals.

Entry requirements during Clearing

Places are available for this course via Clearing. There may be some flexibility in entry requirements for courses that still have places available for this year's September entry. Apply now to find out if we can offer you a place.

Apply through Clearing

A levels

BBB, including at least 80 points from two full A levels.

T levels

Merit - there are no specific subject requirements.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM - there are no specific subject requirements.

Applicants on Access Programmes

Meet UCAS Tariff of 120 - there are no specific subject requirements.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

120 UCAS tariff points to include at least 80 points from 2 HL subjects. Plus HL 5 or SL 5 with no subskills less than 5 in English A or HL 6 with no subskills less than 5 or SL7 with no subskills less than 7 in English B.

Plus minimum of

GCSE English Language at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).

Additional entry requirements

At the point of application, you will need to demonstrate that you have gained relevant social care work experience. We attach importance not only to the amount of experience that you have gained but crucially to the learning that you have gained from it and are able to bring to the course and your professional development. It is helpful if you include the following information in your personal statement:

your roles and responsibilities
reflections on the ways in which your experience has helped to prepare you for social work

Relevant social care experience includes direct work with people and could include:

direct work with people who need practical or emotional help or support either through face-to-face work or on an individual or group basis or telephone work
mentoring or counselling
care work (such as working as a health care assistant)
youth work
working with children or young people who are socially excluded or have additional emotional and/or practical support needs
placements through school or college which has been undertaken within the last two years at the point of application
personal experience of caring for a relative or friend where you have had first-hand experience of social services or social work intervention; having a parent(s) who is a foster carer
personal experience as a service-user of social work intervention

Bradford Care Association and SkillsHouse can help you gain crucial health and social care work experience, to help you meet the entry requirements for your chosen course. Both organisations can help you access a variety of roles, as well as progression opportunities, training, and support.

As part of the selection process, we interview short-listed candidates prior to making decisions.

Applicants with criminal convictions

Once you accept your offer, you will be asked to declare any criminal convictions you hold (including spent convictions). Having a criminal conviction does not mean that you cannot enrol on the course, you will need to go through a criminal convictions panel process.

English language requirements

7.0 overall with no sub-test less than 5.5

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

Foundation Year entry

If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you may be nominated on our Foundation Year in Clinical Sciences and Medicine programme.

Pass each module and achieve a progression average of at least 40%.

If you are an international student and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto this course, you may be interested in our International College.

Transferring from another university

Applications for advanced entry will not be considered for this programme.

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2026 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

Core

Second Year

Core

Final Year

Core

Teaching, learning and assessment

We recognise that students all learn in different ways and our teaching and assessment methods reflect this.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, and tutorials.

You will be allocated a personal academic tutor who will support you in your studies. Assessment methods include academic essays, group presentations, poster presentations and portfolios.

In addition to your academic studies, the Division of Social Work and Social Care has a strong history of supporting our students to develop their employability skills.

Our facilities

Take a virtual tour of our Social Work and Social Care subject facilities.

You'll use some or all of these facilities on the following courses:

Explore spaces like the Horton Barn Lecture Theatre, Classroom, and Collaboration Hub, where you'll delve into the world of social care.

Discover how to empower communities, support vulnerable individuals, and promote health and wellbeing through engaging discussions, interactive learning, and collaborative projects.

Explore Social Work and Social Care in our virtual experience

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2026

UK: £9,790
International: £16,100

The University of Bradford will charge home rate tuition fees up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government.

Should the UK Government choose to increase the maximum tuition fee allowed in the second and subsequent years of your course, the University will raise tuition fees in line with UK Government policy and approvals.

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs. You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

Career options for graduates of this course include:

Social worker
Homelessness officer
Care manager
Occupational therapist
Mental health nurse

Discover more about these careers in our Five careers for Social Work graduates blog.

Career opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the careers section.

Support for your studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment.

In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.