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Social Work

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Newport
More about University of South Wales

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Few careers offer as much opportunity to support people as social work. Often, inequalities and injustices in society create difficulties for people involved with social services. The social work profession acknowledges these difficulties and endeavours to support people to manage their situations and effect positive change.

This social work degree is based on the All Wales Assessment Framework for Social Work, which includes the National Occupational Standards for Social Work, and the Social Care Wales Code of Professional Practice for Social Care Workers. This means you will graduate with the professional qualification required to register as a social worker. If you apply through UCAS, you may be eligible for a bursary from Social Care Wales (subject to their conditions).

The social work course consists of academic and practice-based elements. Half your time will involve practice learning opportunities in statutory, voluntary and third sectors. This will help consolidate your knowledge and skills, and prepare you for practice.

Practical placements account for 50% of our social work degree, each in a different setting. This means you’ll not only be well prepared when you qualify, but you’ll also have a good idea of the sector in which you would like to work. These block placements can often lead to employment opportunities when you graduate.

You can specialise in a particular area in the third year, for example working with adults, children or in mental health. You’ll also be prepared to work in integrated multiagency teams alongside professionals from other services such as the police, health and education.

The social work degree is based in our Newport City campus. Right at the heart of the city, overlooking the River Usk, it is one of the University’s most iconic buildings and easily accessible by train, bus or car. USW Newport is home to a wide range of subject areas, so you’ll benefit from studying in a diverse atmosphere.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Newport

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21 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:
W01
Campus name:
Newport
Campus Code:
C
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

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:
W01
Campus name:
Newport
Campus Code:
C

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

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

Entry into year 2 is subject to an interview and 120 HE credits in a Social Work degree from another institution, with acceptance of those credits by Social Care Wales.

We do not accept applications for year 3 entry due to Social Care Wales regulations. Applications made for year 3 entry will be rejected upon receipt.

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Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
96 points

A level
CCC

to exclude General Studies

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

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access to HE Diploma in with a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points

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

and CC at A Level to exclude General Studies

GCSE/National 4/National 5

The University normally requires Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C/4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

T Level
Pass (C and above)

Passing the T Level with Pass (C or above in the Core)

At least 10 weeks’ work experience (approximately 360 hours) carried out in a supervised social care setting or agency, with a reference from the supervisor e-mailed to admissions@southwales.ac.uk confirming you have completed the required hours. This work experience must be completed prior to you submitting your application, and you must clearly reference that you have undertaken a minimum of 360 hours in your personal statement.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check is required (additional cost applies; no offences are considered spent). Applicants who have identified that they have a conviction will, in the first instance, be contacted by the University to complete a self-disclosure form so that any issues around placements, professional practice etc., can be considered at the earlier stages of the admissions process. Applicants who are successful in their application, and who are offered a place which they then accept, will be contacted three months prior to enrolment (where possible) with details of the University’s online DBS service. Full details are available on the University website and, if applicants have any questions regarding their DBS, they should contact the Enquiries and Admissions Team at dbsenquiries@southwales.ac.uk. Subscription to the DBS update service is strongly recommended.
Health checks
A satisfactory health check will be required for the course.
Interview
Applicants are required to attend an interview. All interviews for the course will take place at our Newport City Campus or Online. Full details are available on the University website and it is essential that all applicants read this before applying.

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

Students have access to a wide range of resources including textbooks, publications, and computers in the University’s library and via online resources. In most cases they are more than sufficient to complete a course of study. Where there are additional costs, either obligatory or optional, these are detailed on the University website (on individual course pages). Of course students may choose to purchase their own additional personal resources/tools over and above those listed to support their studies at their own expense. All stationery and printing costs are at a student’s own expense.

Students from Wales and the EU may be eligible for a means-tested Welsh Government Learning Grant. Please visit the University website for full details.

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