A level Typical offer
BBBBBB in three A levels.
Social Work and Applied Social Studies BSc (Hons)
3 years, starting in September 2023
This course is closed to applications from Overseas students for September 2023 entry. We are still accepting applications from Home students.
Gain knowledge and skills in social work, leading to eligibility to register with Social Work England. You'll mix academic learning and practice placements.
This course will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in social work. You’ll receive comprehensive training to enable you to apply to register as a social worker and practice in a range of settings.
You’ll be based in the Department of Social and Policy Sciences. Our teaching staff work closely with colleagues across the disciplines of sociology, social policy, criminology and international development. Because of this, you’ll benefit from their diverse knowledge and our 50 years of experience in training social work practitioners at the University.
Local practitioners, service users and carers also contribute to the course, ensuring your learning is up-to-date and relevant. This helps to prepare you for the reality of social work practice.
In Year 1, you’ll study social work alongside psychology, sociology and social policy. You will develop your awareness of social inequality and social justice, which will give you the foundation to enhance your social work skills in readiness for your practice placements.
In Year 2, you’ll do your first practice placement and advance your study of social work. You will explore core social work units, such as social work with children and families, social work with adults and mental health.
In your final year, you’ll continue your social work studies. In your last semester, you will undertake a final practice placement. During this, you’ll build on the knowledge and skills you have developed in previous years and apply this to your practice with service users and carers.
Informed teaching to advance your learning
You’ll learn from teaching staff with diverse backgrounds and international expertise. Their passion, knowledge and research impact their teaching and contribute to your learning experience.
Develop your professional skills
Throughout the course, you will develop skills and knowledge that you can apply to your placements or future career. You will have the opportunity to apply them in practice and will learn from professionals working within those settings.
We will provide you with the tools and support to prepare you for employment such as:
- research methods
- critical reflection
- critical analysis
- ethics and values
Professional standards
This course is approved by Social Work England (SWE) and prepares you to meet the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) for newly qualified social workers and SWE Professional Standards. You will be able to apply to register as a professional social worker.
Prepare for your future career
As a professionally qualified social worker, you might work in a range of health and social care settings. The course will also provide you with knowledge, skills and experiences that are transferable to many careers outside of social work.
Companies and organisations our graduates have gone on to work for include:
- Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Bristol City Council
- First Steps
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
- Slough Children’s Services Trust
2023/24 Academic Year
Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.
Course structure
This course lasts 3 years. It starts in September 2023 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 25 September 2023.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Units
At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.
As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 60 credits (ECTS) in each academic year. These are usually split into 30 credits for each semester you study. 60 credits are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.
Year 1
Compulsory units
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Community social work
5 credits
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Introduction to social work
10 credits
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Psychology for social work
10 credits
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Readiness for direct practice
10 credits
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Research for social work
5 credits
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Social problems, social change and the state
10 credits
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The making of modern society
10 credits
Year 2
Compulsory units
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Applied social work practice 1: practice evidence
5 credits
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Applied social work practice 2: anti-discriminatory practice plan
5 credits
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Applied social work practice 3: discrimination and empowerment
10 credits
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Applied social work practice 4: critical reflection
10 credits
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Mental health social work 1
10 credits
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Social work with adults 1
5 credits
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Social work with children and families 1
10 credits
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Theories and methods 1
5 credits
Year 3
Compulsory units
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Mental health social work 2
5 credits
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Qualifying practice 1: practice evidence
5 credits
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Qualifying practice 2: critical analysis of organisation
5 credits
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Qualifying practice 3: ethics and values
5 credits
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Qualifying practice 4: critical reflection
15 credits
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Social work with adults 2
10 credits
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Social work with children and families 2
10 credits
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Theories and methods 2
5 credits
Placement
This course includes two mandatory social work practice placements. These take place in the first semester of Year 2 and the final semester of Year 3.
We have established strong partnerships with local agencies to provide you with a wide range of placement opportunities and experiences. All placements will be based within a 50-mile radius of Bath.
In your practice placement, you will apply your knowledge, skills and professional understanding to direct practice with service users. You’ll be supported by your Practice Educator, Practice Supervisor and University Tutor.
Students have completed placements within a range of organisations and teams, including adult and children’s safeguarding, hospitals, community teams for people with learning difficulties, youth offending teams, adoption and fostering, and community mental health.
We work in partnership with several local councils and social care providers that supply our professional practice placements. These include:
- Alzheimer’s Support
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership
- Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Curo
- Developing Health and Independence drug and alcohol service
- Julian House homeless service
- NSPCC
- Somerset County Council
- Swindon Borough Council
- Wiltshire Council
Travel for your placement
In the social work profession, the use of a car is often an essential prerequisite. This is the same for our social work placements, due to the requirement to visit people and services across large rural areas.
Except in cases of exemption under protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act, 2010, you should have a driving licence valid for use in the UK and access to a vehicle with appropriate insurance before March in your first year of study.
Learning and assessment
You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.
Assessment
Learning and teaching
Contact hours
Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of lectures, practical sessions, seminars, tutorials and workshops, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 12 and 15 hours a week in your first year.
Our teaching for this course is delivered through in-person learning on campus, supported by high quality online provision. A small proportion of these contact hours may be delivered online, with the significant majority taught on campus. This may be supplemented by additional activities such as a small number of online learning sessions (not live), skills development sessions, and personal tutorials.
The amount of timetabled sessions on campus in later years may vary based on the options you choose, with a greater emphasis on independent learning. Project and dissertation units will generally have fewer scheduled sessions to allow you time for your independent work – this may also mean the number of hours of timetabled sessions each week will vary within a year.
Independent learning
In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 20 to 28 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning may become greater.
Assessment breakdown
You will be assessed in a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge.
5% to 10% of your course will be assessed through examinations.
90% to 95% will be assessed through essays, presentations, portfolio work, and your placement.
The final degree classification is determined by your second and final year marks and each contributes 32% and 68% respectively.
We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service’s pages for information.
Professional accreditations
This course is approved by Social Work England (SWE) and prepares you to meet the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) for newly qualified social workers and SWE Professional Standards.
Recognition of professional qualifications
As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).
The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.
The United Kingdom currently subscribes to The Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) Directive. The MRPQ Directive provides a reciprocal framework of rules which enables European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals to have their professional qualifications recognised in a state other than the one in which the qualification was obtained. In the event of a no deal Brexit, from 1 January 2021, the MRPQ Directive will no longer apply to the UK. However, it is anticipated that there will be a new system for recognising professional qualifications between the UK, EEA, and Switzerland.
‘One of the best things about Bath was the quality of the lecturers. They're still actively producing research; some are still actively working in social work.’
—
Gabriel Alves
BSc (Hons) Social Work and Applied Social Studies (Graduating year, 2020)
Entry requirements
Your application should demonstrate that you have personal, volunteering and/or employment experience that's relevant to social work or social care, and that you are capable of studying social work at degree level.
We will give consideration to candidates who wish to claim accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) status on a case-by-case basis. However, the practice placement units cannot be accredited through prior learning from other institutions or from personal or practice experience and must be completed as a part of the course. Please contact us to discuss any application involving APEL before applying.
We know that the context in which you are studying can have an impact on your ability to perform your best in exams and coursework, or limit which subjects or qualifications you are able to study at your school or college. We consider any application based on its merits, including your background and circumstances, including through:
- our contextual admissions process, including our Access to Bath programme
- our approach to considering mitigating circumstances
Origin of qualifications
British qualifications
A level Alternative offer
BBCMost of our students will join us with three A levels, but you may have study beyond this (such as a project qualification or additional study in maths) which demonstrates your individual talents that will help you with your degree. We recognise these studies through our alternative offers.
BBC in three A levels plus one of:
- grade A in an EPQ
- grade B in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
- grade B in a Core Mathematics qualification
- grade B in AS level Mathematics or Statistics (except if you are studying an A level in that subject)
- if you are eligible, a pass in the Access to Bath course or successful completion of another recognised widening access programme
If you receive an offer for this course and are studying one of these qualifications you will be given both the typical and alternative offer.
You can find out more about our alternative offers, including a complete list of qualifications we consider on our dedicated page.
International Baccalaureate Typical offer
35 pointsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
35 points overall and 5, 5, 5 in three Higher Level subjects.
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme
We consider applicants studying the IBCP on a case-by-case basis based on the individual components studied. For this course you will typically need to study a combination of IB Higher Level courses and appropriate vocational study equivalent to three A levels. This vocational study can be any qualification we accept, such as a BTEC National Diploma (RQF) or two BTEC National Extended Certificates (RQF). If you are studying a BTEC National Extended Diploma (RQF) we may be able to consider you on the basis of that alone - please see our Pearson Edexcel BTEC requirements below.
Our typical offer will including individual grades in the relevant components - please contact admissions@bath.ac.uk for further advice before you apply.
Pearson Edexcel BTEC RQF Typical offer
DDMDDM in the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF).
We prefer the above qualifications to be in a relevant subject area and are not typically able to consider qualifications in Public Services, Uniformed Protective Services, Travel and Tourism and other less relevant disciplines.
Pearson Edexcel BTEC QCF Typical offer
DDMDDM in the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF).
We prefer the above qualifications to be in a relevant subject area and are not typically able to consider qualifications in Public Services, Uniformed Protective Services, Travel and Tourism and other less relevant disciplines.
OCR Cambridge Technical Typical offer
DDMDDM in the Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma.
We prefer the above qualifications to be in a relevant subject area and are not typically able to consider qualifications in less relevant disciplines.
T Level Typical offer
Distinction overallWe are able to consider the above T Level technical qualification in Education and Childcare.
Cambridge Pre-U Typical offer
M1, M1, M1M1, M1, M1 in three principal subjects.
Cambridge Pre-U Alternative offer
M1, M1, M3Most of our students will join us with three principal subjects, but you may have study beyond this (such as a Global Perspectives course or additional study in maths) which demonstrates your individual talents that will help you with your degree. We recognise these studies through our alternative offers.
M1, M1, M3 in three principal subjects plus one of:
- grade M1 in Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives
- grade A in an EPQ
- grade B in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
- grade B in a Core Mathematics qualification
- if you are eligible, a pass in the Access to Bath course or successful completion of another recognised widening access programme
If you receive an offer for this course and are studying one of these qualifications you will be given both the typical and alternative offer.
You can find out more about our alternative offers, including a complete list of qualifications we consider on our dedicated page.
Scottish Highers Typical offer
BB in Advanced HighersBB in two Advanced Highers.
We make offers based on Advanced Highers. You will typically be expected to have completed five Scottish Highers and your grades in these will be considered as part of your application. We prefer applicants who have achieved at least BBBBB in their Highers.
Access to HE Diploma Typical offer
27 credits at DistinctionA pass in the Access to HE Diploma, with at least 27 credits awarded at Distinction and 12 credits awarded at Merit or above.
Ideally your Access to HE Diploma should cover relevant social sciences units, such as: Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Criminology, or Education.
Open University credits Typical offer
Pass units worth 120 credits including a minimum of a Pass 3 with 62% in a relevant Level 2 unit.
Typically, we would be looking for you to have studied units worth at least 120 credits including at least 30 credits at Level 2. We would generally be looking for you to have taken relevant units in essay-based subjects, preferably but not exclusively in social sciences. This information is a guide and we consider students applying with Open University Credits on a case-by-case basis. We will consider your application carefully and take note of any previous qualifications or relevant work experience. We may be able to consider alternative units to those listed. Please contact us to discuss your profile.
Taking OU credits may be counted as degree-level study by the Student Loans Company and therefore may be counted as previous study and have an impact on your ability to access student loans for the entirety of your chosen degree. We recommend that you discuss this in detail with the SLC before following this progression route to the University of Bath.
Combinations of qualifications Typical offer
Your application will be considered individually based on the particular combination of qualifications and subjects that you are taking.
We can consider combinations of accepted qualifications, of which some common examples are:
- BB in two A levels plus D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate (RQF) or the Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate (RQF)
- B in one A level subject plus DD in the BTEC National Diploma (RQF)
- BB in two A levels plus M1 in a Pre-U Principal Subject
- BB in two A levels (excluding Accounting) and B in the LIBF Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS)
- BB in two A levels (excluding Criminology) and B in the WJEC Applied Diploma in Criminology
We can also consider combinations that are not listed and that do not include A levels. You should read the information about essential and preferred subjects and subject combinations. We cannot consider different qualifications in the same subject area.
GCSE requirements
- GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or C
- GCSE English Language or Literature grade 4 or C (or equivalent from English language category B)
You do not need the required grade in Mathematics if you study a higher level qualification in Mathematics or Statistics (such as an A level, AS level or a Core Mathematics qualification).
English language requirements
Category B
If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:
- IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
- IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
- TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
- TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
- The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
- Duolingo: 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
- LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test
Irish qualifications
Irish Leaving Certificate
H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3 in six subjects from the Irish Leaving Certificate.
A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma
We accept these qualifications whether you have studied them in the UK or abroad. Our entry requirements are listed under the 'United Kingdom' section.
European Baccalaureate
We accept the European Baccalaureate and our entry requirements are listed under the 'European Baccalaureate' section.
English language requirements
Category B
If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:
- IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
- IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
- TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
- TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
- The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
- Duolingo: 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
- LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test
French qualifications
French Baccalaureate
An overall score of 14.
If you do not study Mathematics as a specialty in your French Baccalaureate, you will need either 60 in Mathematics from the Brevet or 10 in Additional Mathematics in your final year.
Our requirements for the French Baccalaureate are the same for students studying the International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) for this course.
English language requirements
Category B
If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:
- IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
- IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
- TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
- TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
- The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
- Duolingo: 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
- LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test
European qualifications
European Baccalaureate
82% overall with 9.0 in one subject.
English language requirements
Category B
If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:
- IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
- IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
- TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
- TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
- The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
- Duolingo: 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
- LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test
Fees and funding
Fees and funding information for Social Work and Applied Social Studies BSc (Hons)
Fees
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.
Learn how we decide fee statusThese fees are for the academic year 2023/24 only. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.
Home students
Tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24
£9,250
Legal information
UK undergraduate fees are regulated by the government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval.
Overseas students
Tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24
£21,100
Legal information
You should budget for an increase of up to 5% each year for every further year of study; we will not increase your fees each year by more than this percentage and the amount will be set out on our fee page in December for the following academic year.
If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.
Extra costs
The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
You are required to pay for a DBS check. This will be payable at the start of your course at an approximate cost of £50.
You will also be required to register with the DBS update service for each year of your degree. The current cost of the update service is £13 per year.
Placement travel costs
You are responsible for covering the cost of travel to and from your placement in years 2 and 3. These costs will vary depending on your placement location.
If you are eligible for a social work bursary, then you may find some of these costs covered through the Placement Travel Allowance. The NHS bursary website has further details.
You should have a valid driving licence for use in the UK and access to a vehicle with appropriate insurance at the point you apply for your placement. This will be around March in Year 1.
Read more about advice for budgeting and see more information about day-to-day costs.
How to pay
Tuition fee loans
If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.
Read more about tuition fee loansScholarships and bursaries
You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.
The NHS offers a bursary for this course.
Read more about bursaries and scholarshipsOther payment options
You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.
Read more about your payment optionsBudgeting
You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.
Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.
If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.
Application information
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Course titleSocial Work and Applied Social Studies
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Final awardBSc (Hons)
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Mode of studyFull-time
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Course codeU160
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Institution codeB16
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Department
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LocationUniversity of Bath
Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY -
Home application deadline25 January 2023
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Application eligibilityOnly Home students are eligible to apply
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Regulator
Selection process
If you pass an initial assessment based on your application you will be invited to attend an interview. You will also be provided with guidance on this in advance if you are invited to an interview, so you can come fully prepared.
Due to the nature of this degree, you will be asked to declare whether or not you have any relevant spent or unspent criminal convictions as part of completing your UCAS application. Should you declare that you have a conviction we will contact you for further information and you will be considered in line with our policy on applicants with criminal convictions.
You will also need to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check when you join this course. You will be asked to register for the DBS update service for the duration of your degree which allows you to keep your DBS certificate up to date for practice placements.
We are unable to consider applicants for deferred entry due to the nature of the selection process.
Immigration requirements
If you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will not be able to join this course.
If you are an EU or EEA national (except an Irish citizen), you will only be able to join this course if you have Settled or Pre-Settled status in the UK (or hold other relevant immigration permission that allows you to study without a Student Visa). If you join this course on immigration permission which subsequently expires and you are unable to secure a suitable alternative, you may be unable to complete your course or receive a final qualification.
If you have any concerns regarding this please contact admissions@bath.ac.uk for further advice.
Course enquiries
Undergraduate Selection
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