BA Social Work
About this course
BA (Hons) in Social Work, a professional social work degree focused on community support, statutory legislation, and applied human development. Core topics include Ethics & Professional Practice. The curriculum integrates academic study with assessed direct practice periods across multiple academic years. The first year introduces foundational themes through Exploring Self and Human Agency, Introducing Social Work, Social Policy for Social Work: Critical Perspectives, and Sociology for Social Work. The second year advances into applied topics including Methodology and Research for Effective Practice, Practising Law in Social Work, Practising Social Work Skills and Knowledge, and Working with Risk. The third year builds professional competencies via Direct Practice 1, Empowering Practice, Understanding Professional Teams and Leadership, and Working with Law and Ethics in Practice. The final year concludes with Developing Critical Practice, Direct Practice 2, and the Honours Project (IPE).
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Year 1 standard entry requirement: UCAS Tariff: 108; Scottish Higher: BBBB or equivalent incl Higher in essay-based subject; A Level: BBC or equivalent incl A Level in essay-based subject.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 24%: 133 offers from 554 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 34 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 95%
- Assessment and feedback: 93%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 91%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 105 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 9%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 89%
- Working and studying: 9%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 75%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 85%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 75 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- London: 1%
- Scotland: 97%
Who gets in
Based on about 100 students who started
- A levels: 31%
- Access course: 11%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 57%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirements for registration with this body.
Modules
- Exploring Self and Human Agency
- Preparation for Professional Practice (IPE)
- Introducing Social Work
- Social Policy for Social Work: Critical Perspectives
- Social Justice Values and Ethics
- Sociology for Social Work
- Methodology and Research for Effective Practice
- Practising Law in Social Work
- Practising Social Work Skills and Knowledge
- Lifespan Development for Social Work
- Theorising for Social Work
- Individuals, Teams and Communities
- Working with Risk
- Direct Practice 1
- Empowering Practice
- Understanding Professional Teams and Leadership
- Working with Law and Ethics in Practice
- Developing Critical Practice
- Direct Practice 2
- Honours Project (IPE)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University earn?
The median salary is £42,000 after 15 months, £33,500 after 3 years, £38,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £41,000. The £38,000 median after five years is £8,000 more than the UK median for Social work.
What do graduates of BA Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University do next?
98% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 139 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University?
24% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 133 offers from 554 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BA Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirements for registration with this body.
How many students continue on BA Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 9% left higher education.