Social Work BA (Hons)
Available with:
-
Foundation Year
Accreditations
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Course Summary
Make a difference as you prepare for a professional career within social work.
The BA (Hons) in Social Work at Chester offers an exciting opportunity to gain your social work qualification. Alongside teaching and learning sessions based at our Warrington Town Centre campus, you will also undertake two placements located within private, voluntary and charitable organisations, as well as statutory social work departments. As a University within the Cheshire and Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership, your social work career is supported from the day you register at the University of Chester, with wide-reaching Teaching Partnership post-qualifying options available if you pursue your social work career locally.
Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to develop relationships with your fellow students, university staff and a range of people and departments who will support you in your practice learning journey. We aim to help you engage in learning, and to foster your sense of belonging to a community of learners. We provide a supportive culture to motivate learners to progress and succeed, with personal tutors playing a key role in providing personalised support. You will also have opportunities to use all the university services open to Warrington-based students such as student support services, university societies and sports teams.
On successful completion of your BA (Hons) in Social Work, you will be eligible to apply to register with the professional regulator Social Work England as a qualified social worker. The NHS Learning Support Fund provides additional funding for eligible students studying social work. Further details can be found on the NHS Learning Support Fund page on our website.
What You'll Study
The Foundation Year is designed to have clear synergies with the following three years of your extended degree. The teaching, learning and assessment reflect approaches that you will experience throughout your time on your course.
You will start your academic journey in a supportive environment that hones your independence and builds your confidence in readiness for the next level of study.
- Term 1: Exploring Professional Practice
- Term 2: Social Issues and Contexts
- Term 3: Leadership, Coaching and Change Management
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
Victoria Arnold
Senior Lecturer
Vanessa Goldsmith
Senior Lecturer
Emily Weygang
Senior Lecturer
Bridget Caffrey
Senior Lecturer
Alexandra Modder
Senior Lecturer
Dr Gill Buck
Associate Professor
Dr Pauline Cusack
Senior Lecturer
Dr Sarah-jo Lee
Senior Lecturer
Kath Hayes
Senior Lecturer
You will be taught by qualified social workers and professionals in related fields, and by people with lived experience of social care involvement. You will also learn from practice placements with experienced practice educators and practice supervisors.
You will be taught through a variety of methods, including lectures, class discussions, seminars, case studies, tutorials, and audio/video material. You will also have the opportunity to experience learning in our simulation suite and VR cave. You will also learn from practice placements with experienced Practice Educators and Practice Supervisors.
On this course, you will spend time out on practice placements in Years 2 and 3, where you’ll apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace, giving you genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future social work career.
Assessment methods include coursework assignments, essays, presentations, role play, workbooks and observations during practice placements. The assessment of practice will reflect the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work.
Social work education at the University of Chester is provided in collaboration with the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership.
Entry Requirements
120 UCAS points
|
UCAS |
120 UCAS points |
|
GCE A Level |
Typical offer BBC-BBB |
|
BTEC |
BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDM; BTEC Diploma: D*D* |
|
T Level |
T Level: Merit |
|
Irish / Scottish Highers |
Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 Scottish Highers: BBBB |
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International Baccalaureate |
28 points |
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Access requirements |
Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at Level 3, 30 of which must be at Merit or above and 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction |
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OCR |
OCR Extended Diploma - DMM |
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Extra Information / General Entry Requirements |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. Applicants must also have GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English or a recognised Level 2 equivalent. Please note that applicants must also have evidence of recent study within the last five years. Please identify any relevant social care experience that you have on your application. This could be gained through voluntary, paid, personal or relevant student experiences. |
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Safeguarding / Suitability |
All successful candidates who receive an offer of a place for this course and choose the University of Chester as their Firm choice will be required to undergo checks with regards to their suitability to practice. A couple of months prior to admission to this course, the University will contact you to request that you complete a self-declaration form detailing any relevant convictions or other information that you believe may have an impact upon your ability to undertake work with children or vulnerable adults. You will also receive instructions on how to complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University as a registered body – there will be a charge for this. Please note that the University does not accept previous DBS checks from other registered bodies or the update service. For details about the cost of the DBS and for further information please visit our DBS web pages. |
Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.
We also look for some relevant Social Care experience; this could be gained through voluntary, paid, personal or relevant student experiences.
All successful candidates who receive an offer of a place for this course and choose the University of Chester as their Firm choice will be required to undergo checks with regards to their suitability to practice. A couple of months prior to admission to this course, the University will contact you to request that you complete a self-declaration form detailing any relevant convictions or other information that you believe may have an impact upon your ability to undertake work with children or vulnerable adults. You will also receive instructions on how to
complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University as a registered body – there will be a charge for this. Please note that the University does not accept previous DBS checks from other registered bodies or the update service.
For details about the cost of the DBS and for further information please visit our DBS web pages.
English Language Requirements
Please note, applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate they can meet the following English language criteria for this programme:
- IELTS 7.0 overall (with no less than 6.5 in each band)
72 UCAS points
|
UCAS |
72 UCAS points |
|
GCE A Level |
72 UCAS points from GCE A Levels to include D in one subject |
|
BTEC |
BTEC National Extended Diploma: MMP BTEC Diploma: DM |
|
T Level |
T Level – Pass (D or E on the core) |
|
Irish / Scottish Highers |
Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 Scottish Highers: CCDD |
|
International Baccalaureate |
24 points |
|
Access requirements |
Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall |
|
OCR |
OCR Extended Diploma: MMP |
|
Extra Information / General Entry Requirements |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. Applicants must also have GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English or a recognised Level 2 equivalent. Please note that applicants must also have evidence of recent study within the last five years. |
|
Safeguarding /Suitability |
All successful candidates who receive an offer of a place for this course and choose the University of Chester as their Firm choice will be required to undergo checks with regards to their suitability to practice. A couple of months prior to admission to this course, the University will contact you to request that you complete a self-declaration form detailing any relevant convictions or other information that you believe may have an impact upon your ability to undertake work with children or vulnerable adults. You will also receive instructions on how to complete an online application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University as a registered body – there will be a charge for this. Please note that the University does not accept previous DBS checks from other registered bodies or the update service. For details about the cost of the DBS and for further information please visit our DBS web pages. |
Remond House
Time Square
Warrington Life
Fees and Funding
£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.
You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.
Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.
Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.
Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.
Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.
£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.
The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.
For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.
For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.
Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.
In November 2024, as part of the government’s Autumn Budget, it was confirmed that some foundation years from September 2025 will have a fee of £5,760 for the first foundation year of a four-year course. This is mainly for courses in the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences disciplines. The following three years of these courses will be the standard fee of £9,535 per annum.
| Foundation (First) Year | Second Year onwards per year | |
|---|---|---|
| Home Students | £5,760 for the first foundation year (2025/26) | £9,535 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26) |
| International Students * | £10,750 for the first foundation year (2025/26) | £14,450 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26) |
* For courses which accept applications from International Students
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.
Course specific additional costs
Prior to admission to this course, you will be required to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University, for which there will be a charge.
For details about the cost of the DBS and for further information please visit our DBS web page.
The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.
Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.
A limited number of bursaries are available to eligible students in Years 2 and 3 (must be ordinarily resident in England)*
Further information can be obtained from the NHS Bursary Services Authority website.
There is also additional financial support for eligible students in the form of:
- Care Experienced Bursary
- Estranged Student Bursary
- Young Adult Carers Bursary
- Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater Bursary.
Your Future Career
Job Prospects
Our graduates go into careers in a number of social work settings, working with both children and adults, in Local Authority or Health Trust agencies, as well as private and voluntary organisations, such as fostering or refugee agencies. The course embeds careers and employability support across all three years so that students feel confident of their strengths and abilities when they apply for work and attend interviews.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.