Social Work BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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This course encompasses contemporary issues in social work practice, and aims to give you the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be an effective social worker and make a positive difference to children, young people, adults and their carers.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

L500

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

This course is designed to develop your professional knowledge and skills so that you may achieve a recognised social work qualification, enabling you to apply for registration with Social Work England1.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will:

  • have developed the knowledge, cognitive skills, ethical understanding and interpersonal skills necessary for qualified social work practice
  • be able to engage with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, balancing the need to be sensitive to differences, cultural and otherwise, whilst remaining committed to upholding universal social work values
  • have developed the self-efficacy, autonomy, self-awareness, reflective ability, emotional intelligence and organisational skills to work as an effective and empathic social worker.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

There aren’t many careers that make you feel like you are giving back to society in the way that social work can. Social work is much more than ‘helping people’. At its best, it helps save lives, protect vulnerable people from harm and enhances the life chances of those in social need. Approved by Social Work England, on successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply to Social Work England to register as a social worker (additional costs apply)1.

The course facilitates transformative learning through practice-led and research-inspired teaching. You will be taught by a dedicated team of experienced social work academics with substantial practice and research experience across a range of social work practice settings. We incorporate real-life case studies, serious case review findings, and the involvement of social work practitioners and experts2 to enhance the student learning experience.

The curriculum reflects the changing demographics of society and emerging social issues. This course is designed to develop the required skills and capabilities to engage with diverse groups of people facing modern-day social problems. Many of the modules aim to equip you with an understanding of the impact of current social problems and how you may constructively and creatively respond to these.

You will receive a comprehensive induction to support your transition into a new learning environment which aims to promote positive communication and working relationships between staff and students. You will be supported through a range of university support services including welfare service, Student Success Coaches and student mentors. You will also be allocated a personal tutor who can help provide academic, personal, pastoral and welfare support. Many of the modules throughout the course are aimed at equipping you with the awareness of the nature, causation and impact on people of current social problems and how you may constructively and creatively respond to these.

You will gain practical experience during your placements in years two and three 2,5. Practice placements are sourced by the university and include a range of social work and care settings. On placement, you will learn from complex situations while being supported by experienced social work practitioners. Your personal tutor also plays a key role in ensuring that practice placement provides a quality learning experience for you and that the course requirements are met.

The course has employability embedded throughout and we will support you in your final year as you seek to transition to employment through a range of initiatives with local employers.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Social Work England

Social Work England

The course is currently approved by Social Work England for the 2025/26 intake. Approval by Social Work England means that once you graduate, you can apply to register with Social Work England to start work as a qualified social worker1 (additional costs may apply). Should there be any change to the approval of this course, applicants will be made aware of this.

Please refer to the Social Work England website for full details.


Memberships

The university is also an active partner on the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership. Close partnerships exist with employers and other higher education institutions in the Teaching Partnership, and there are particularly established links with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and several independent and voluntary organisations (subject to change).


What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum allows you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline of social work. You will develop knowledge and skills to do with human growth and development, communication, legal and policy frameworks as well as theories, methods and models for social work practice, among others.

Modules

In year two, the 70-day placement2,5 forms an important part of the course as you move on to apply your knowledge and skills in real-life situations. Academic modules presenting knowledge and understanding support practice-based learning. There are modules in sociological theory, and its application to social work practice, and modules very much rooted in the practice environment, in which the current key themes in social work practice with children and families, and adults are examined.

Modules

In your final year, you will complete your final 100-day practice placement2,5 which is complemented by modules in which the organisational context of social work, research findings and the evidence-base for social work practice are critically examined. A key aspect of the final year is to prepare you for employment as a Newly Qualified Social Worker.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

You will be taught using a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops supported by online content focusing on case based problem-solving approaches and skills development.

You will also have dedicated tutorial support for academic and personal development supported by online content. The course is designed around the application of learning and so a number of modules incorporate research through the use of real-life case studies, serious case review findings, and the involvement of social work practitioners and experts2 by experience, to enhance your learning experience.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Practice-based learning:

Practice-based learning forms an essential and significant part of your learning experience. Practice hours will differ between placements and different health and care courses. You will have access to university staff, but should expect to spend the majority of your contact time with practice collaborators undertaking placement activity. Overall, the hours you undertake in practice-based learning will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements set by the professional body regulating profession, Social Work England.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

  • coursework assignments
  • case study analysis
  • reflective writing
  • tests
  • presentations
  • practical interviews
  • portfolios.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 120
A Level BBB
BTEC DDM in a Health-based subject
IB Diploma 30 points with 15 at Higher Level
Access to HE Diploma To include 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Health/Social Science units, plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A*- C including English Language and Mathematics

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary, is very desirable. You will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses aptitude as part of the selection process. Applicants must have certificates at point of interview.

Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

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Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page. For information regarding specific requirements, please ask us.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary, is very desirable. You will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses aptitude as part of the selection process. Applicants must have certificates at point of interview.

Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

English language requirements

  • Applicants must possess a minimum IELTS of 6.0 overall (with no component part lower than 5.5)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £16,800 per year
Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The university will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The university will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the university reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

Social Work Bursary

A Social Work Bursary may be available to eligible UK students for each year of study to help with living and travel costs. Read more about the Social Work Bursary.


Facilities

Our purposefully designed Alison Gingell building4 features a range of mock healthcare settings, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

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Community houses

The Alison Gingell building features two full-size homes which can be used to simulate real-world scenarios with different client groups.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will have the requisite knowledge, skills and values to successfully enter the social work profession.

On successful completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to apply to register as a social worker with Social Work England1 (additional costs may apply) and consolidate your identity as a Newly Qualified Social Worker. Please refer to the website for full details. Previous graduates from social work qualifying programmes at Coventry University have gone on to have had excellent careers in the caring professions, supported by our close links with local employers, who are actively involved in the design, delivery and assessment of the programme. There remain healthy employment rates in the local area for qualified local authority social workers, however previous graduates have also gone on to wider range of positions in the NHS and voluntary sector.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have benefited from particularly helpful working relationships with local employers who make up the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership, and especially Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

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