BA Social Work with Integrated Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) in Social Work with Integrated Foundation Year, a social work degree centred on human rights, societal structures, and psychological theory. The course begins with a compulsory foundation year designed to ease the transition into higher education and build essential practice skills. Year 0 includes the compulsory modules Human Rights and Social Justice, The Psychology of Everyday Experience, Connecting Psychology, and Learning Skills for Health and Social Care Professions.
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) at grade 4/C or above, which must include English (consideration may be given to equivalent literacy qualifications) and Maths. A level: Typical offer of 32 points from a minimum of 2 A Levels including grade E in a Science subject. Excluding General Studies. International Baccalaureate: 24 overall. Access courses: P ass an Access to Higher Education Diploma (E.g.; Science/Combined Studies/Natural Sciences/Nursing). T level: A minimum of a Pass (D or E in the Core) – Health or Science pathways preferred. BTEC: PPP in a Science related subject. Other qualifications: Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This course is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of English literacy qualification and/or must demonstrate that they have a good command of English. Degree holders are not eligible to apply to this programme. Non-academic requirements: Access and participation: In addition to the requirements above, applicants must meet at least three of the following criteria: Live in a local South West region (Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, or Wiltshire Live in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 postcode analysis Live in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) classes 1-4 or local equivalent Attend a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance In receipt of UCAT bursary, EMA , or 16-19 bursary Be in receipt or eligible for Free School Meals Participant in the Peninsula Pathways Programme Estranged from parent Refugee / Asylum seeker Carer / Care leaver Or be an international student Explanation of above terms South west resident Living in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Somerset as determined by your postcode. POLAR4 Living in a low participation neighbourhood as determined by your postcode (POLAR4 quintile 1). Indices of Mass Deprivation Living in an area categorised as being in Indices of Mass Deprivation (IMD) 1–4 or 20% most deprived as determined by your English postcode , Northern Ireland postcode , Scottish postcode , and Welsh postcode . School performance Attending or attended a low performing school/college whilst completing your level 3 qualifications e.g. 16–18 performance in the ‘below’ or ‘well below average’ classifications. If you attend a secondary school or college in England, please visit the Compare School and College Performance gov.uk website. If you attend a secondary school or college in Wales, please visit My Local School website. If you attend a secondary school or college in Northern Ireland, please visit the Schools Plus, Department of Education website. If you attend a secondary school or college in Scotland, please visit the School information dashboard, Education Scotland website. UCAT, EMA or 16-19 bursary In receipt of one or more of these bursaries. UCAT bursary entitlement can be evidenced by providing a copy of your award email or a copy of your invoice showing a deduction of the test fee. EMA or 16-19 bursary entitlement to be evidenced by an official award letter or a school letter. Documents should be submitted at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). Free school meals Being in receipt of free school meals whilst completing your level 3 qualifications, at the school/college you undertook these qualifications – evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). Significant engagement in the Peninsula Pathways programme Significant engagement includes completion of the five-day summer Work Experience Programme, being a member of the e-Mentoring scheme and having attended a minimum of three of the various Peninsula Pathways workshops by the end of Year 12. Refugee status Evidenced by either an official letter from the Home Office or preferably a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), submitted by the applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). Where English is not your first language and you do not have a GCSE or IGCSE Grade 4 in English language you, must have an alternative English language qualification. Examples of acceptable language qualifications are the Certificate of Proficiency in English (Cambridge - Grade C) or the International English Language Testing System IELTS (at least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in every element). In care/care leaver Being in care or care-experienced – Evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). What's a care experienced student? A care experienced student is someone who has spent any amount of time in local authority care, such as foster care or residential children's homes, but may not meet the definition of a care leaver. 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, across similar courses at this university (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, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 12 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (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, across similar courses at this university (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 Rights and Social Justice
- The Psychology of Everyday Experience
- Connecting Psychology
- Learning Skills for Health and Social Care Professions
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Social Work with Integrated Foundation Year 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 with Integrated Foundation Year 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 with Integrated Foundation Year 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 with Integrated Foundation Year at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
Is BA Social Work with Integrated Foundation Year 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 with Integrated Foundation Year at University of Plymouth?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.