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Social Work

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 01/10/2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Lancaster University

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Why Lancaster?

  • Study a course accredited by Social Work England (SWE) to kick-start a rewarding career

  • Benefit from our partnerships with public, private, voluntary and independent agencies

  • Learn from a team of experts committed to improving the lives of the most vulnerable in society through their research and practice

  • Receive tailored individual support to get the most out of your time on campus and placement

Everything you need to start a career in social work is here – inspiring lecturers, support tailored to your needs and insight into the issues impacting social work today in the UK. As part of our welcoming community, you’ll always have someone to turn to for support and advice throughout your coursework and placements.

Small close-knit cohort
Our course is accredited by Social Work England (SWE), and you’ll develop the skills and experience employers in this area need. An important part of your study will be your two practice placements. You’ll get hands-on experience within different organisations such as local authorities, Barnardo's or Age Concern.

Providing individualised support is important to us. That’s why we keep our social work cohort small. It means we can get to know you. It also means we’ll try to match your placement to your area of interest, whether that’s in youth offending, children and family intervention, or another area of social work.

Shape the future of social work
Our teaching team aren’t just teachers. They’re experienced social workers, advocates and change-makers. Some of the team carry out research, while others are practising social workers working in statutory sector services and charities.

Our team of experts contribute to national policy and practice discussions around vital areas like online child sexual abuse risk, family justice and youth resilience. We aim to inspire you to follow in our footsteps and become a part of a new generation of social workers who value human rights and social justice.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 01/10/2025

Apply by
29 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:
L14
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Lancaster University 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
29 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:
L14
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Chat to student ambassadors

Discover what it's like to study Social Work at Lancaster University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

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  • Davina

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    I’m a 3rd year Computer Science student and Student Ambassador Leader at Lancaster University. I’m from North London but I’m originally from Nigeria. I love weight lifting, crochet and I play the bass guitar!

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    Hi, I’m a penultimate year BSc Hons Accounting and Finance (Industry) student at Lancaster University. I’m from Mumbai, but have been brought up in Dubai, UAE. I like spending my time playing Cricket and listening to bollywood music.

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    Im currently studying Nuclear Engineering and in my second year. Im an international student and used to live in Dubai and South Africa. Im very interested in Nuclear Fusion and uses for nuclear in the medical field.

  • Ailiya

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    As an international student from Taiwan, a small island with a rich cultural heritage, I’m excited to bring a global perspective to my role as a university buddy ambassador. Currently pursuing my studies in business, I aim to become a business analyst within the financial sector, driven by my interest in data and strategic decision-making. Beyond academics, I’m passionate about staying active with badminton and yoga training, and I find creative expression through fine art painting. Traveling is another passion of mine, and I love exploring new places and cultures, which has greatly enriched my own university journey. As a buddy ambassador, I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and insights, supporting new students in their transition, and helping them thrive both academically and personally.

  • Crystal

    Lancaster University
    Mathematics and Statistics
    Hi! I'm Crystal, a second-year MSci Computer Science and Mathematics student with a special interest in Data Science and ML. When I started university, I wasn’t entirely sure about my future career path. However, through various opportunities at university, I’ve developed a strong passion for data science and I now feel much more confident about the direction I want to take in my career. Often spotted around campus carrying badminton rackets because nothing beats badminton after a long day for stress-relief... On my off days I explore places nearby Lancaster, play games with my friends and try out new recipes. Whenever I get homesick, I make Malaysian chicken curry (and it's perfect for winter). Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you have, whether it's about doing a joint degree, life at Lancaster, or even to talk about any data science/coding projects! I'm interested to hear what you think.

  • Gail

    Lancaster University
    Mathematics and Statistics
    Hi! 🌟 I'm Gail! I'm currently studying for my PhD in Computer Science within the SCC department at Lancaster University, but my academic journey began with an MSci in Mathematics and Computer Science! Please feel free to message about absolutely any queries you may have, such as with academia itself, or just general university life queries! I would be more than happy to help. :)

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    Hi, I'm Ella, a 4th year MSci Computer Science student. I love walks on the beach, ice cream, elephants, our rescue Dog Loki and annoying my siblings (we're triplets!). I completed my third year project on Mitigating Gender and Racial Bias in children, creating an educational game and am undertaking a placement with Burlington Stone in Cumbria developing software for their stone production! I'm not entirely sure what I want to do on completion of my degree but I'm interested in HCI and Computing For Good so hopefully along those lines and put my degree to good use. Please get in touch with any questions you have!

  • Josh

    Lancaster University
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    Hey, I'm Josh, a fourth year MSc Cyber Security student at Lancaster University. I am originally from Greater Manchester. I have many passions alongside my degree, such as dance and music. I work as a Student Ambassador Leader for the university.

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  • Finley

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    Management and Business
    I studied Business, Maths, and Computer Science at A-level at my local sixth form and achieved grades of ABC. These grades were enough to get me accepted into my first choice, Lancaster University, to study accounting and finance. However I realised during my first year that Accounting and Finance wasn’t the right course for me, and I decided to move to business management, where I really enjoyed the entrepreneurship module so decided to go into 2nd year on the Business Management (entrepreneurship) course. The current career path I am exploring is business consulting; I feel it suits my personality well and it is a well established industry. During my free time, I regularly go to the gym, and play football with my friends.

  • Kathryn

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    Hello! I'm Kathryn and I am an Environmental Science PhD student. I also did a BSc in Environmental Science at Lancaster University. I am researching the chemistry of halogens in the troposphere.

  • Emily

    Lancaster University
    Environmental and Earth Sciences
    Hi I’m Emily! I’m in my third year studying Earth and Environmental Science, with the hopes of becoming a volcanologist in the future. I’d swapped from studying Geography in my first year, so am able to answer questions on either degree. I’ve loved living on campus and in town, I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about the uni or Lancaster in general :) I’m also on the study abroad scheme so can answer any enquiries about this.
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Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - BBB

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

Access to HE Diploma - D: 24 credits M: 21 credits

in a relevant subject

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points

with 15 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

We also require: GCSE English Language grade C. We will accept other qualifications in English including O level grade C, CSE grade1, Functional Skills Level 2 Pass.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Health checks
Interview

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.

At Lancaster, we are committed to widening access to higher education for all. As part of this we take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, taking into account exceptional circumstances and potential as much as we can. We run a Contextual Offer Scheme which incorporates a reduced grade offer for applicants that meet our eligibility criteria. For more information on the scheme, and other widening participation activity such as the Lancaster Access Programme, please visit our website.

Learn more on the Lancaster University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.

Data from:
This course and 46 other social sciences courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For Lancaster University, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
BBB Most common
  1. A*AA
  2. Highest grades
  3. BCC
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

95% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

95 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

95 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

For information on our fees, please see www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding.

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