BA Social Work
About this course
BA (Hons) in Social Work. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Social & Cultural Analysis. The programme features over 170 days of hands-on experience in diverse social work placements and is accredited by Social Work England. Modules cover Legal Literacy, Evidence-Informed Social Work Practice, and a final-year Social Work Dissertation.
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
GCSE: 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Mathematics and English at grade 4/C or above. A level: Typical offer of 96 points from a minimum of 2 A Levels – social science preferred. International Baccalaureate: 26 overall to include 5 at Higher Level. Social Science/Social Care, Psychology, Criminology profile preferred but not required. Access courses: Pass a named Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 Level 3 credits at merit/distinction level to include 15 level 3 credits in Science/Social Science (Social Work/Social Care/Psychology/Sociology/Criminology). Will need GCSE English at grade C/4 also Maths at grade C/4 (or equivalent). T level: Accepted – preference pathways would be Health and Science. Typical offer will be Pass overall with Grade C in Core Component. BTEC: DMM - a social science subject is preferred. BTEC National Diploma modules: If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application. Equivalent qualifications may be considered. Alternatively if you have any questions or concerns about meeting the entry requirements listed above we would encourage you to contact the Admissions Team on +44 1752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk , where a member of the team can offer you further advice. For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary . Further information: Further information Enhancing your application Direct entry to year 2: If you have achieved certificated learning in addition to the entry criteria required for your programme of study, it may be possible to accredit this learning towards your chosen course. Full details on how to make an application are available on our open access Moodle site ( download details on how to access the site and submit your claim and supporting evidence ). Your application will then be assessed and you will receive confirmation by email on the status of your claim. Deferred entry: Unfortunately, we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please refer to an experienced admissions administrator who will be able to explain the UCAS application process in more detail admissions@plymouth.ac.uk .
What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 73%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 79%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 74%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 12 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 80%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 95%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 100%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 95%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Access course: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Approved by the Social Work England for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England as a social worker in England
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Human Development and Wellbeing I
- Understanding the Social World
- Developing Professional Skills
- Interprofessional Learning 1
- Preparation for Practice
- Values and Ethics
- Legal Literacy 1
- What is Social Work? II
- Enhancing Professional Skills
- Contexts for Social Work: Organisations, Policy and Law II
- Human Development and Wellbeing II
- Evidence-Informed Social Work Practice with People who are Marginalised
- Integrated Practice I
- Evidence-Informed Interventions in Social Work Practice
- Wellbeing: Accountability, Risk and Professional Decision-Making
- Social Work Methods and Approaches
- Social Work Dissertation
- Integrated Practice II
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social Work at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £36,500 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £35,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £38,500. The £35,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for Social work.
What do graduates of BA Social Work at University of Plymouth do next?
80% 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 University of Plymouth?
73% 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 University of Plymouth?
The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
Is BA Social Work at University of Plymouth accredited?
Yes. Approved by the Social Work England for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England as a social worker in England
How many students continue on BA Social Work at University of Plymouth?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.