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Clearing offers from 72 UCAS tariff points. Subject-specific requirements still apply. See the entry requirements section for details.
BSc (Hons)
Social Work Practice
BSc (Hons)
Social Work Practice
If you want a career where you make a real difference to people's lives every day, Social Work is one of the most direct and impactful paths you can take.
This degree prepares you to become a qualified social worker - supporting children, families, and vulnerable adults through complex challenges such as safeguarding, mental health, disability, and social inequality. You'll learn how to assess risk, build relationships, make critical decisions, and work within legal and ethical frameworks.
At 51±¬ÁÏÍø, the focus is simple: get you confident, capable, and employable as a professional social worker from day one of your career.
You won't just study theory - you'll apply it in real settings, with substantial placements, professional training, and support designed to help you succeed in a demanding but rewarding profession.
If you want a career where you make a real difference to people's lives every day, Social Work is one of the most direct and impactful paths you can take.
This degree prepares you to become a qualified social worker - supporting children, families, and vulnerable adults through complex challenges such as safeguarding, mental health, disability, and social inequality. You'll learn how to assess risk, build relationships, make critical decisions, and work within legal and ethical frameworks.
At 51±¬ÁÏÍø, the focus is simple: get you confident, capable, and employable as a professional social worker from day one of your career.
You won't just study theory - you'll apply it in real settings, with substantial placements, professional training, and support designed to help you succeed in a demanding but rewarding profession.
Why study Social Work Practice at Lincoln?
Here’s what makes this course a strong choice when comparing universities:
- ✔ Professional pathway built in This degree is designed to lead directly into a career in social work, meeting the requirements for professional registration.
- ✔ Extensive real-world placements Gain hands-on experience in real social work settings, building confidence before you graduate.
- ✔ Learn how to handle real situations Develop skills in safeguarding, communication, decision-making, and working with vulnerable individuals.
- ✔ Focus on employability from day one Everything you study connects to real roles and responsibilities in the field.
- ✔ Strong support throughout You’ll be guided academically and personally through what can be an emotionally demanding subject.
- ✔ Clear purpose and impact This is a degree where you can see exactly where it leads and why it matters.
What you'll learn
This course is designed to help you think and act like a professional social worker.
You’ll develop:
- Practical communication skills
Learn how to build trust with individuals, families, and communities in sensitive situations. - Assessment and decision-making skills
Understand how to evaluate risk, make informed judgments, and take appropriate action. - Knowledge of law and policy
51±¬ÁÏÍø the legal frameworks that guide social work practice in the UK. - Understanding of human development and behaviour
Explore how people grow, change, and respond to life challenges. - Safeguarding and ethical practice
Learn how to protect vulnerable individuals while respecting rights and dignity. - Resilience and professionalism Prepare for the realities of working in complex, sometimes high-pressure environments.
Most importantly, you’ll apply what you learn in real-world placements, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Introducing The Together Group
The Together Group at Lincoln is made up of real health and social care service users who volunteer their time and lived experiences to help inform the teaching and curriculum of the health sciences at the 51±¬ÁÏÍø.
Modules
Module Overview
This module is intended to support students in developing an understanding of what we know about people and society. The module objective is to develop understanding of this knowledge base, with a focus on structural and social perspectives and how these can be applied to work with vulnerable people. This module aims to provide learners with a framework of theoretical and applied perspectives for effective social work with individuals, taking account of contemporary social and societal issues. It will draw on relevant disciplines and perspectives to help learners understand how society is organised and how social problems arise.
Module Overview
This module allows students to undertake learning that will help them develop the required skills for professional practice and are sufficiently prepared and ready for their professional practice on placement. Students are required to undertake learning activities and study commensurate with entry level requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework.
Module Overview
This module is intended to support the student in developing the knowledge, skills, and values that will underpin social work practice. The focus is on extending the understanding of the professional social work role and task, with a focus on the perspective of service users, carers, and citizens. There will be a focus on the development of skills and values for professional social work practice and on personal reflection to support this.
Module Overview
This module enable learners to explore the knowledge base (e.g. theoretical knowledge, legislative knowledge, knowledge around core social work values, and ethics) that underpins their own professional practice and supports learners to reflect on and analyse their own practice.
Module Overview
This module does not apply to standard learners obtaining entry at level four. The module is suitable only for students undertaking the APL route for accelerated entry to level five of the programme. Students wishing to APL previous study will be required to undertake supplementary learning to ensure they develop the required skills and knowledge enabling them to progress to level five of the programme and will be offered supplementary teaching and learning on a bespoke, case-by-case basis according to individual previous attainment and assessed learning needs.
Module Overview
This module aims to support the development of social work students to gain professional expertise in working with adults and their carers, who are in need of social care interventions. In order to achieve this, there will be a focus on understanding, analysing and applying relevant law and policy. There will also be an opportunity to explore the diverse needs of the adult population including older people, those with physical and learning disabilities, mental health and addiction problems, brain injuries, homelessness, hoarding behaviours, self-neglect and the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees.
Module Overview
This module allows students to undertake 70 days in an audited and approved practice learning setting. The practice placement will provide a range of learning opportunities that are approved as meeting the BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) End of First Placement Level Capabilities and the Social Work England Professional Standards. Students will be required to produce a practice portfolio as evidence of their experiential learning and professional development.
Module Overview
This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a practice analysis of their work on placement and demonstrate their accountability and explain the rationale underpinning professional decision-making. Students are required to demonstrate an analysis of, and their responses to, the diverse needs of service users and carers and the impact of environmental and structural influences. It also requires students to evidence a keen understanding of the legal and policy frameworks that guide professional judgements.
Module Overview
The module adopts a holistic approach to the wellbeing and development of children and young people. The module will examine the psycho-social development of children pre-birth through childhood and adolescence. Students will have the opportunity to combine knowledge, practice skills, and professional values and ethics and will examine a range of factors necessary to safeguard, protect and promote the healthy development and overall wellbeing of children and young people.
Module Overview
This module will offer students the opportunity to draw on learning from level five modules as well as their learning during years one and two. With support, students are expected to provide evidence of their understanding and application of increasingly complex concepts in their their direct practice with service users, as well as evidencing their ability to undertake self-directed learning, reflection regarding theoretical approaches and models, and application of legislation and statutory guidance appropriate to their practice learning setting.
Module Overview
This module serves to enable the student to consolidate and further develop and apply detailed and evidence informed knowledge about the needs, experiences and circumstances individuals, groups and families that receive social work services.
Module Overview
This module is intended to provide students with the opportunity to explore a variety of knowledge, including sources of evidence and research findings suitable for supporting social work practice. Students will be required to identify a current social work topic in order to extend their knowledge and apply it to the development of practice. Students will be able to increase their knowledge through undertaking an independent literature-based study in which they identify, explore and appraise the evidence base relating to their selected topic, including up-to-date research findings.
Module Overview
This module will relate to the work undertaken on practice placement. Students will be required to complete an inter-professional practice analysis, adopting a holistic, systems-based approach to contemporary social work within the context of inter-professional practice. Students are required to explore how to maintain professional integrity and combining knowledge, practice skills and professional values and ethics to promote effective social work practice within interprofessional settings.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
Modules
Module Overview
This module is intended to support students in developing an understanding of what we know about people and society. The module objective is to develop understanding of this knowledge base, with a focus on structural and social perspectives and how these can be applied to work with vulnerable people. This module aims to provide learners with a framework of theoretical and applied perspectives for effective social work with individuals, taking account of contemporary social and societal issues. It will draw on relevant disciplines and perspectives to help learners understand how society is organised and how social problems arise.
Module Overview
This module allows students to undertake learning that will help them develop the required skills for professional practice and are sufficiently prepared and ready for their professional practice on placement. Students are required to undertake learning activities and study commensurate with entry level requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework.
Module Overview
This module is intended to support the student in developing the knowledge, skills, and values that will underpin social work practice. The focus is on extending the understanding of the professional social work role and task, with a focus on the perspective of service users, carers, and citizens. There will be a focus on the development of skills and values for professional social work practice and on personal reflection to support this.
Module Overview
This module enable learners to explore the knowledge base (e.g. theoretical knowledge, legislative knowledge, knowledge around core social work values, and ethics) that underpins their own professional practice and supports learners to reflect on and analyse their own practice.
Module Overview
This module does not apply to standard learners obtaining entry at level four. The module is suitable only for students undertaking the APL route for accelerated entry to level five of the programme. Students wishing to APL previous study will be required to undertake supplementary learning to ensure they develop the required skills and knowledge enabling them to progress to level five of the programme and will be offered supplementary teaching and learning on a bespoke, case-by-case basis according to individual previous attainment and assessed learning needs.
Module Overview
This module aims to support the development of social work students to gain professional expertise in working with adults and their carers, who are in need of social care interventions. In order to achieve this, there will be a focus on understanding, analysing and applying relevant law and policy. There will also be an opportunity to explore the diverse needs of the adult population including older people, those with physical and learning disabilities, mental health and addiction problems, brain injuries, homelessness, hoarding behaviours, self-neglect and the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees.
Module Overview
This module allows students to undertake 70 days in an audited and approved practice learning setting. The practice placement will provide a range of learning opportunities that are approved as meeting the BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) End of First Placement Level Capabilities and the Social Work England Professional Standards. Students will be required to produce a practice portfolio as evidence of their experiential learning and professional development.
Module Overview
This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a practice analysis of their work on placement and demonstrate their accountability and explain the rationale underpinning professional decision-making. Students are required to demonstrate an analysis of, and their responses to, the diverse needs of service users and carers and the impact of environmental and structural influences. It also requires students to evidence a keen understanding of the legal and policy frameworks that guide professional judgements.
Module Overview
The module adopts a holistic approach to the wellbeing and development of children and young people. The module will examine the psycho-social development of children pre-birth through childhood and adolescence. Students will have the opportunity to combine knowledge, practice skills, and professional values and ethics and will examine a range of factors necessary to safeguard, protect and promote the healthy development and overall wellbeing of children and young people.
Module Overview
This module will offer students the opportunity to draw on learning from level five modules as well as their learning during years one and two. With support, students are expected to provide evidence of their understanding and application of increasingly complex concepts in their their direct practice with service users, as well as evidencing their ability to undertake self-directed learning, reflection regarding theoretical approaches and models, and application of legislation and statutory guidance appropriate to their practice learning setting.
Module Overview
This module serves to enable the student to consolidate and further develop and apply detailed and evidence informed knowledge about the needs, experiences and circumstances individuals, groups and families that receive social work services.
Module Overview
This module is intended to provide students with the opportunity to explore a variety of knowledge, including sources of evidence and research findings suitable for supporting social work practice. Students will be required to identify a current social work topic in order to extend their knowledge and apply it to the development of practice. Students will be able to increase their knowledge through undertaking an independent literature-based study in which they identify, explore and appraise the evidence base relating to their selected topic, including up-to-date research findings.
Module Overview
This module will relate to the work undertaken on practice placement. Students will be required to complete an inter-professional practice analysis, adopting a holistic, systems-based approach to contemporary social work within the context of inter-professional practice. Students are required to explore how to maintain professional integrity and combining knowledge, practice skills and professional values and ethics to promote effective social work practice within interprofessional settings.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
Support and student experience
Social Work is rewarding but it can also be challenging. 51±¬ÁÏÍø builds in support to help you succeed.
Academic support:
- Clear guidance on assignments and expectations
- Access to experienced lecturers with professional backgrounds
- Structured feedback to help you improve
Personal support:
- Pastoral care throughout the course
- Support during placements
- Access to wellbeing services
Placement support:
- Help preparing for real-world environments
- Ongoing check-ins during placements
Guidance on handling complex situations
Careers and future opportunities
This degree is a direct route into a professional career.
Typical graduate roles:
- Social Worker (children’s services or adult services)
- Family Support Worker
- Mental Health Practitioner
- Safeguarding Officer
- Youth Justice Worker
Where you could work:
- Local authorities
- NHS and healthcare settings
- Schools and educational services
- Charities and non-profits
- Community organisations
Progression opportunities:
- Specialist areas (e.g. child protection, mental health)
- Leadership and management roles
- Further study or postgraduate qualifications
Reassurance for students and parents:
- This is a clear, structured career path with strong demand across the UK
- Graduates leave with practical experience, not just academic knowledge
Skills developed are transferable and valued across multiple sectors
Entry Requirements 2026-27
United Kingdom
104 to 112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
This must be achieved from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. For example:
A Level: BCC to BBC
BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
T Level: Merit Overall
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 104 to 112 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits.
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
GCSEs:  Minimum of three at grade 4 or above including English, Maths and Science, or equivalent qualifications, such as Functional Skills Level 2.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
In exceptional circumstances we may consider work experience alongside academic qualifications and will review this on an individual basis.
Certificates of all previous qualifications will need to be provided before any offers are confirmed.
Additional requirements:
- This course is not open to Overseas applicants.
- Successful performance at an interview.
- Knowledge of contemporary health and social care issues, and the nature of nursing in a public health context.
- Understanding of written material and can communicate clearly and accurately in written and spoken English.
- Satisfactory completion of Occupational Health Check.
- Satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
When you choose Social Work Practice in your UCAS application, you will be asked an additional question regarding criminal convictions. Here you must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBOs or VOOs.
We are not accepting deferred applications for Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Diagnostic Radiography or Social Work. You must apply in the year you wish to start the programme.
If your application is unsuccessful, you may be offered the option of changing your application to either the BSc in Nursing (Adult) or BSc Nursing (Mental Health). Any alternative offer would be subject to a successful interview (where an interview has not already taken place), spaces available and meeting the course entry requirements.
International
Non UK Qualifications:
- This course is not open to Overseas applicants.
- If you are now settled in the UK, and do not have GCSE English, you will require English Language IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each element.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.
Contextual Offers
At 51±¬ÁÏÍø, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages. If you are applying to a course that has any subject specific requirements, these will still need to be achieved as part of the standard entry criteria.Entry Requirements 2027-28
United Kingdom
104 to 112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications.
If you are eligible for a contextual offer, a one grade or 8 UCAS Tariff point reduction to the standard entry requirements will be applied.
A Level: BBC
BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
T Level: Merit Overall
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 112 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits.
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
GCSEs:  Minimum of three at grade 4 or above including English, Maths and Science, or equivalent qualifications, such as Functional Skills Level 2.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
In exceptional circumstances we may consider work experience alongside academic qualifications and will review this on an individual basis.
Certificates of all previous qualifications will need to be provided before any offers are confirmed.
Additional requirements:
- This course is not open to Overseas applicants.
- Successful performance at an interview.
- Knowledge of contemporary health and social care issues, and the nature of nursing in a public health context.
- Understanding of written material and can communicate clearly and accurately in written and spoken English.
- Satisfactory completion of Occupational Health Check.
- Satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
When you choose Social Work Practice in your UCAS application, you will be asked an additional question regarding criminal convictions. Here you must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBOs or VOOs.
We are not accepting deferred applications for Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Diagnostic Radiography or Social Work. You must apply in the year you wish to start the programme.
If your application is unsuccessful, you may be offered the option of changing your application to either the BSc in Nursing (Adult) or BSc Nursing (Mental Health). Any alternative offer would be subject to a successful interview (where an interview has not already taken place), spaces available and meeting the course entry requirements.
International
Non UK Qualifications:
- This course is not open to Overseas applicants.
- If you are now settled in the UK, and do not have GCSE English, you will require English Language IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each element.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.
Contextual Offers
At 51±¬ÁÏÍø, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages. If you are applying to a course that has any subject specific requirements, these will still need to be achieved as part of the standard entry criteria.Is this course right for you?
This course could be a good fit if you:
- Want a career that helps people directly
- Are interested in social issues, justice, and equality
- Are willing to take responsibility and make decisions
- Want a clear route into a professional role
- Prefer learning that includes real-world experience, not just lectures
It may not be the right choice if you’re unsure about working closely with vulnerable individuals or handling emotionally complex situations.
Fees and Funding
University 51±¬ÁÏÍø is a major investment, so it’s important to understand the costs and support available. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found below. Eligible students may be able to access scholarships and bursaries to help with study costs.
Course-Specific Funding and Bursaries
NHS social work bursaries may be available to applicants, depending on varying criteria. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/social-work-bursaries
Fees and Funding
University 51±¬ÁÏÍø is a major investment, so it’s important to understand the costs and support available. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found below. Eligible students may be able to access scholarships and bursaries to help with study costs.
Course-Specific Funding and Bursaries
NHS social work bursaries may be available to applicants, depending on varying criteria. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/social-work-bursaries