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Social Work

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
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2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Overview
Social workers change lives for the better and help protect some of society’s most vulnerable people.

On this BSc (Hons) Social Work degree, which is approved by Social Work England, you’ll be supported by passionate industry experts with many years of social work experience.

Once you graduate, you'll have the skills and knowledge you need to apply to register as a social worker.

  • Practise your social work skills in our Centre for Simulation in Health and Care, a safe and supportive environment where we use innovative technologies to simulate real-life scenarios

  • Work closely with the University of Portsmouth Social Work Inclusion Group (SWIG), to help you understand service user experiences

  • Build your professional experience by spending 200 days on placement working with vulnerable people, service users and carers in the community

Approved by:
This course is approved by Social Work England.

Supporting your application
We welcome students from diverse backgrounds including those who have experience of social care. If you're a care leaver, or if you feel you need further information or support to apply for this course, we can offer you a virtual support session to help guide you through the admissions process.

We'll send you details of this after you apply. You'll also get as much support as you need through phone and email, and have access to ongoing personal and financial support during your course.

Careers and opportunities
Social workers provide essential care and support to adults and children who need it most. They work directly with people in need, as well as their families and other carers, and offer care that includes counselling, independent life skills, and mental and/or physical health support.

This BSc (Hons) Social Work degree will train you for a rewarding and challenging career as a social worker. You'll study topics including safeguarding, law and social policy, and social work practice with children and adults, and learn through simulation, group work and skills workshops.

When you successfully complete the course, you'll be eligible to apply to be a registered social worker and to work in settings such as social care, drug and alcohol services, domestic abuse services and schools. You could also continue your studies to postgraduate level with an MSc Social Work.

What areas can you work in with a social work degree?
You could work in areas such as:

  • social care settings

  • rehabilitation services

  • criminal justice

  • voluntary organisations

  • advocacy agencies

  • housing advice

  • education settings such as schools and colleges

Graduate roles and destinations
Roles our graduates have taken on include:

  • social worker

  • care manager

  • missing children and child exploitation coordinator

  • family support worker

  • housing adviser

  • independent domestic violence adviser

  • adult wellbeing manager

  • primary mental health worker

  • learning disability practitioner

They've gone to work for organisations including:

  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

  • Mind

  • Hampshire County Council

  • Portsmouth City Council

  • Essex County Council

  • Spectrum Centre for Independent Living

  • Southern Advocacy Services

Modules

Year 1

Core modules in this year include:

  • Equality Diversity and Inclusion (20 credits)
  • Human Development and the Life Course (20 credits)
  • Readiness for Learning and Practice (40 credits)
  • Social Issues, Policy and the Law (20 credits)
  • Social Work Theories and Models (20 credits)

There are no optional modules in this year.

Year 2

Core modules in this year include:

  • BSc Social Work Practice Placement 1 (40 credits)
  • Service User Inclusion and Co-Production (20 credits)
  • Social Work with Adults (20 credits)
  • Social Work with Children and Families (20 credits)
  • Using Evidence and Research in Social Work (20 credits)

There are no optional modules in this year.

Year 3

Core modules in this year include:

  • BSc Social Work Independent Study for Contemporary Social Work (40 credits)
  • Professional Development and Employability (20 credits)
  • Safeguarding - Adults and Children (20 credits)
  • Social Work Practice Placement 2 (40 credits)

There are no optional modules in this year.

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed through tests (academic or practical/skills based), compilation of filmed and recorded artefacts, online assessment, academic written work/portfolios, presentations, dissertation/project.

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

  • Year 1 students: 25% by practical exams and 75% by coursework
  • Year 2 students: 17% by practical exams and 83% by coursework
  • Year 3 students: 100% by coursework

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
L500
Institution code:
P80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
L500
Institution code:
P80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

We welcome applications for advanced entry.

If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
104 - 120 points

104-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, one of which must be in a relevant subject (Anthropology, Childhood and Youth Studies, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Early Years, Education, English, Health and Social Care, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, R.E, Sociology, Social Policy, Theology).

A level
BBB - BCC

104-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, to include a relevant subject (Anthropology, Childhood and Youth Studies, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Early Years, Education, English, Health and Social Care, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, R.E, Sociology, Social Policy, Theology).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM - DMM

Must be in a relevant subject.

Access to HE Diploma

106-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma (Health and Social Care, Social Sciences, Social Work).

Scottish Higher

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Scottish Advanced Higher

104-120 Tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers, one of which must be in a relevant subject (Anthropology, Childhood and Youth Studies, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Early Years, Education, English, Health and Social Care, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, R.E, Sociology, Social Policy, Theology).

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
24 points

24 points from the IB Diploma, with 444 at Higher Level, one of which must be in a relevant subject (Anthropology, Childhood and Youth Studies, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Early Years, Education, English, Health and Social Care, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, R.E, Sociology, Social Policy, Theology). 4 points from Standard Level English and Mathematics (if not passed at GCSE grade C).

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

104-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 1 A level in a relevant subject (Anthropology, Childhood and Youth Studies, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Early Years, Education, English, Health and Social Care, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, R.E, Sociology, Social Policy, Theology), plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3, H3, H3, H4, H4 - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3

To include a relevant Higher Level subject (Anthropology, Childhood and Youth Studies, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Early Years, Education, English, Health and Social Care, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, R.E, Sociology, Social Policy, Theology).

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Cambridge Pre-U score of 44-50, to include a Principal Subject relevant to the degree programme (Anthropology, Childhood and Youth Studies, Criminology, Critical Thinking, Early Years, Education, English, Health and Social Care, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, R.E, Sociology, Social Policy, Theology).

GCSE/National 4/National 5

2 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above to include English.

T Level
M

Acceptable T Level Subjects:
T Level in Health, T Level in Healthcare Science, T Level in Education and Childcare

CLEARING INFORMATION – Our entry requirements may be different during Clearing, so please contact us on 023 9284 8000 to discuss your options

Additional entry requirements

Admission tests
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting the course.
Health checks
Applicants must pass Occupational Health check before starting the course.
Interview
Successfully shortlisted applicants will be invited to a staged, holistic and multidimensional selection day which has been designed in accordance with Social Work England's standards. All applicants must complete a written task. In accordance with Social Work England standards, the written element will assess applicants' command of English, ability to analyse and present written information, motivation to become a social worker, knowledge of the social work profession and relevant policies and legislation and ICT skills. Applicants who complete the written assessment will be invited to attend an individual online interview.
Other
International applicants must provide a satisfactory police check/certificate of good conduct from their home country (with a certified English translation if necessary), before admission to the programme can be confirmed.
Institutions Own Test (IOT)
Successfully shortlisted applicants will be invited to a staged, holistic and multidimensional selection day which has been designed in accordance with Social Work England's standards. All applicants must complete a written task. In accordance with Social Work England standards, the written element will assess applicants' command of English, ability to analyse and present written information, motivation to become a social worker, knowledge of the social work profession and relevant policies and legislation and ICT skills. Applicants who complete the written assessment will be invited to attend an individual online interview.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
PTE Academic76An overall score of 76 with a minimum of 65 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)100100 with a minimum of 24 in Reading, 23 in Listening, 25 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 185 with no component score less than 176.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 185 with no component score less than 176.
Trinity ISETrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

University of Portsmouth offers are based on a holistic assessment of students' potential including exam results, work experience and personal circumstances. The University aims to foster social mobility and equality of opportunity, particularly for those facing social challenges.
For creative subjects, portfolios and interviews allow applicants to showcase their talent and passion. We recognise locality, personal circumstances and creativity which could lead to a reduced or unconditional offer.

Learn more on the University of Portsmouth website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Please check the course page on our website for the most up to date fee information.

All fees are subject to annual increase.

For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs

Clearing contact details

University Admissions Centre - Clearing

Sign up for our Priority Clearing Service

clearing@port.ac.uk

023 9284 8000

Course Clearing information

Additional information

Clearing Hotline opening hours:
Thursday 13th August - 08:00 - 20:00
Friday 14th August - 08:00 - 18:00
Saturday 15th August - 10:00 - 14:00
Sunday 16th August - Closed
Monday 17th onwards - 09:00 - 17:00 (09:00 - 16:00 on Fridays)

Course contact details

University Admissions Centre

admissions@port.ac.uk

023 9284 5566

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