Social Work Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Social Work Studies in The United Kingdom

Social work is a regulated profession in the United Kingdom: only a course approved by the regulator of the nation where it is taught leads to registration as a social worker. Each of the four nations has its own body, namely Social Work England, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Social Care Wales and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. This directory lists 20 schools for social work in the UK, two of them in London and the others in cities across England, Scotland and Wales.

How the qualification is organised

There are two main university routes. The first is a bachelor's degree with honours, a level 6 qualification. In England the BA (Hons) Social Work takes three years full time, as at the University of Sussex, The University of Northampton and Liverpool Hope University. In Scotland, degree-level study usually takes four years, and the BA (Hons) Social Work at the University of Stirling lasts 48 months.

The second route is for people who already hold a degree in another subject. According to the National Careers Service, a postgraduate degree in social work normally takes two years. The Social Work MA at Sussex, a level 7 qualification, takes 22 months full time and accepts a lower second-class honours degree or above in any subject.

Both routes combine university teaching with assessed practice. Sussex states a minimum of 200 days of practice learning: 170 days on placement and 30 days of practice skills workshops.

Approval and registration

The BA and the MA at Sussex are approved by Social Work England for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration as a social worker in England, and Northampton and Liverpool Hope say the same of their degrees. Stirling's degree is accredited by the SSSC; graduates can register as qualified social workers in Scotland, and the university adds that the registration bodies of England, Wales and Northern Ireland all accept the degree. Whether a UK qualification allows practice in another country is decided by that country.

Where to study

Examples in this directory are London Metropolitan University in London, Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, the University of Sussex, the University of Kent, The University of Northampton, the University of Wolverhampton, The University of Manchester, Liverpool Hope University and the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. In Scotland the list includes the University of Stirling, Glasgow Caledonian University and The University of Edinburgh; in Wales, Swansea University.

Admission and English level

Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements, usually stated as A levels, and many accept equivalent international qualifications. UK ENIC, the official organisation for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications, issues statements that compare a foreign qualification with the UK system. Typical offers are BBB to BBC at Sussex, BBC at Northampton and BBB at Stirling. Sussex also interviews applicants and requires a health check and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before the place is confirmed.

The English requirement is higher than for most degrees. Sussex asks for IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component, Northampton for 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all bands and Liverpool Hope for a minimum of 7.0 overall. Undergraduate applications are sent through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. For 2027 entry, the equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time); for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge it is 15 October 2026. Many universities accept international applications until later in the year.

Costs and funding

Fees depend on fee status. For the BA starting in September 2027, Sussex lists £10,050 per year for home students and £28,100 for international students; its MA costs £8,300 and £17,600 per year respectively. Northampton lists £9,790 (home) and £17,000 (international) for 2026/27.

The Social Work Bursary is a grant for social work students who normally live in England and have lived in the UK for at least three years before the course; students who arrive from abroad for the degree do not meet that condition.

International students normally need a Student visa for a full degree. According to GOV.UK (checked on 8 October 2026), applicants must be 16 or over, hold an offer from a licensed student sponsor and prove English equivalent to CEFR level B2 for degree-level study. The application costs £558 from outside the UK, plus a healthcare surcharge of £776 per year for students. Applicants must also show living-cost funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months, and can apply at the earliest six months before the course starts.

Careers

To work as a social worker in England, graduates need to register with Social Work England. After the degree, the Graduate visa allows a stay of 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Which degree do I need to become a social worker in the United Kingdom?

A social work degree approved by the regulator of the nation where it is taught, for example Social Work England or the Scottish Social Services Council.

How long does it take to qualify?

Three years full time for a BA (Hons) in England and four years in Scotland. A postgraduate degree normally takes two years; the MA at Sussex takes 22 months.

What English level is required?

Usually IELTS 7.0 overall, as at Sussex, Northampton and Liverpool Hope.