Overview
Gain a bachelor's degree in Social Work and play a vital role in supporting people to make positive change in their lives. Once you graduate, you’ll become eligible to apply to register as a social worker, as our course is accredited by Social Work England.
Being a social worker requires a range of skills. This degree in Social Work blends theory and practice equally so you can gain the professional and critical skills needed for you to succeed. You’ll engage with the latest research in social work, studying crucial theories and methods that you’ll employ in practice.
During your time at University, you’ll complete multiple contrasting placements. You’ll be able to use your knowledge in real-world settings, critically analysing and reflecting on your performance as you continue to progress throughout your degree.
What’s more, we are the only university in the UK to use Hydra for social work. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills through immersive learning. Initially developed for emergency services to hone their skills during critical incidents, Hydra gives you the opportunity to enhance your practice through simulation, using innovative training techniques.
Not only do we prioritise both theory and practice, but we offer multiple employability events. This will give you great opportunities to network with future employers and big organisations such as Kent County Council, NHS Mental Health Trust, and Medway Council to name just a few.
With strong links with the wider community and our commitment to providing high-quality and inclusive teaching, you will engage with a variety of sectors whilst working with an inspiring, relatable, and strong teaching team.
Accredited by Social Work England
Social Work England logo
100%
of our Social Work students were in jobs or further study just 15 months after completing their degree.
Student Outcomes Survey 202385%
of our Social Work students were satisfied with the teaching on their course
National Student Survey 2024I was fully supported and encouraged throughout my time at CCCU, and there were plenty of learning opportunities to be had.Lauren, Social Work graduate
Entry requirements
112
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBC |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access | 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 Points |
The grades in this table provide an indication of what is required to study this course. If you have qualifications that are not present in the table or want to tell us more about you specific situation then please contact our friendly Course Enquiry Team.
Please note: GCSE English language at grade C, or above, or an acceptable equivalent is also required to study this course.
A typical offer would be BBC at A2 Level, or equivalent.
More information
Contact us
Module information
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
This Social Work degree is carefully balanced to ensure you are taught theoretical aspects of social work which can be applied in practice situations. You will typically have 16 contact hours per week for academic modules and will be on placement 5-days per week in year 2 and 3.
You'll learn through group work, seminars/webinars, lectures, podcasts, videos, and other varied teaching methods to enable you to progress into an autonomous learner/ professional. You'll also be given opportunities to participate in simulated activities and skills development days, where you can develop your interpersonal skills in a safe environment with other student social workers.
You will be supported in your practice learning by a qualified social worker who is also a practice educator. You may also have an onsite supervisor.
You will have a placement tutor provided by the University and an academic personal tutor who is there to support you over the three years of the course, and ensure that you have the opportunity to reach your full potential during your time as a student social worker.
Get to know one of your senior lecturers and read our interview with Lauren Martins - Senior Lecturer in Social Work.
Our course team’s research and membership in local, national, and international social work organisations, is integrated into the course modules so you are introduced to current issues within social work.
The majority of our staff are registered social workers and come from a range of settings. They will share their experiences with you and teach you theory that can be applied and integrated within local and international realities of social work practice.
As well as participating in taught sessions, you will be expected to undertake self-study and learn independently through:
- reading journal articles, books, and other materials relevant to your subject that you may be directed to
- undertaking your own research to find relevant reading materials and accessing professional websites, discussion forums, and journals
- keeping abreast of current affairs relevant to the profession of social work
- attending relevant conferences where possible such as Community Care Live.
For your Dissertation in year 3, you will undertake independent research. You will work under the supervision of a member of the course team, and you will meet with your supervisor regularly.
Important Notice: Many of our placements require students to drive and have access to their own car. This is due to the distances needed to travel and the nature of public transport links within Kent and Medway. Our main practice partners will not allocate essential statutory placements to students who do not drive.
However, if a student requires a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act (2010) in relation to driving, then we will inform our placement providers of this need. We strongly recommend that students have a driving licence and access to a car by the end of Year 2 of the course, otherwise students’ placement options may be limited.
In Year 1, you will have 300 directed teaching hours and you will be expected to undertake 900 hours of independent learning.
In Year 2, you will have 250 directed teaching hours and you will be expected to undertake 600 hours of independent learning. In addition, you will spend 70 days in placements.
In Year 3, you will have 200 directed teaching hours and you will be expected to undertake 600 hours of independent learning. In addition, you will spend 100 days in placements.
As part of your contact time, you will have 30 skills development days over the duration of the entire course.
Social work is recognised locally, nationally and internationally as a professional and academic discipline that promotes social justice, inclusion, equality, and ethical practice.Erin KingCourse Director, Social Work
How you’ll be assessed
Throughout the course, you are assessed on a range of knowledge and skills using different assessment methods. This includes written work (essays, reflective accounts, and blogs), individual and group presentations, and a 6000-word dissertation in your final year.
Your practice will be assessed by developing a portfolio for your 70-day and 100-day placements. We want your assessments to help you develop your knowledge and skills. Each module offers you a formative assessment to provide you with the opportunity for feedback to inform your ‘formal’ or summative assessment.
You must complete all modules in each year, including your practice placements, to progress to the next year of the course (i.e. successful completion of all Year 1 modules and the Readiness for Direct Practice placement (120 credits) provides entry to the BA (Hons) Social Work course at Year 2).
Your future career
Our BA Social Work graduates have gone on to work in variety of settings locally and nationally. There are varied and exciting employment opportunities for registered social workers. The generic nature of the course means graduates can pursue a career in a full range of settings, such as social services departments within local authorities, health services, and in the voluntary and independent sectors providing community, day care, and residential services.
There are also opportunities for further study and you can pursue a post qualifying course at Canterbury Christ Church University or study within a specialised area of social work in other universities.
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.
Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Further entry requirements
Applicants are encouraged to seek opportunities to gain pre-application experience in a social care or appropriate healthcare setting. Canterbury Christ Church University will select students through a process established with representatives of employers and service users associated with the programme and suitable applicants will be invited for an individual and/or group interview/discussion and a written test.
We have put together a guidance page to help you prepare for your remote interview.
| Important Notice: Many of our placements require students to drive and have access to their own car. This is due to the distances needed to travel and the nature of public transport links within Kent and Medway. Our main practice partners will not allocate essential statutory placements to students who do not drive. However, if a student requires a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act (2010) in relation to driving, then we will inform our placement providers of this need. We strongly recommend that students have a driving licence and access to a car by the end of Year 2 of the course, otherwise students’ placement options may be limited. |
Industry links
The social work team has strong links with a range of practice settings and local service user groups. They play a significant part in enhancing your learning, teaching and placement experience to support your future employability. Placement experience is designed to give you an opportunity to interact and learn in varied settings with qualified social workers and other professionals.
Professional accreditation
On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for professional registration with Social Work England, the regulator for social work. Social work is a professional qualification which carries specific responsibilities to service users, other professionals, and the profession.
You will complete a suitability form for each year of study. This includes information concerning any criminal convictions, and a statement of health and good character. Any disciplinary issues relating to conduct at work need to be disclosed within this form. Relevant information concerning health, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and suitability aspects are shared with placement providers in order for them to decide on offer of a placement.
The University has Fitness to Practice processes to consider students who may present issues relating to professional suitability at the beginning of the course and during their time on the course. In exceptional cases these processes can result in a student being withdrawn from the course and details passed to the professional regulator were applicable. Honesty is a core requirement for all professional courses and academic breaches such as significant or repeated plagiarism can give rise to Fitness to Practice processes.
Health Foundation Year
For candidates who have been successful at interview, but who are unable to subsequently meet the wider entry requirements, we may be able to offer you a four-year course which includes a foundation year.
The Health Foundation Year will prepare you for future study and will be the first year of a four-year degree, and if successfully completed, you will be able to progress on to your chosen degree.
Applications cannot be made directly to the Foundation Year and places are limited.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
L500Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
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