Undergraduate

Social Work

Hull Social Work student, Chelsea Higgins, talking to someone who is off-camera.
A group of four friends chatting over coffee while working on tablets and laptops.
Hull Social Work student, Chris Brown, smiling and holding his laptop in the Brynmor Jones Library.
A close up of two people's hands holding mugs of coffee while sat at a table.
You’ll clock up hundreds of hours in a professional setting, and experience a range of places from inner cities to market towns to seaside resorts.
We score highly for employability. Our graduates are social workers, mental health practitioners, drug and alcohol specialists, and community workers.
We're accredited by Social Work England. So you can apply for an NHS bursary, and go on to register as a qualified social worker when you graduate.
As well as social work, you can apply your skills to policing and charity work. Or to alternative careers with a people-focus, such as counselling.
Hull Social Work student, Chelsea Higgins, talking to someone who is off-camera.
A group of four friends chatting over coffee while working on tablets and laptops.
Hull Social Work student, Chris Brown, smiling and holding his laptop in the Brynmor Jones Library.
A close up of two people's hands holding mugs of coffee while sat at a table.

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Code

Duration

Mode

  • Standard course
  • September 2024
  • September 2025

Our Social Work England approved course prepares you for a career as an outstanding social work practitioner. You learn from registered social workers. And get hands-on experience on extended placements.

Social workers support people when they need it most. They also engage with their families, and liaise with organisations like the police, the NHS and schools.

On our course, you develop the skills to work with adults, children and young people in a range of circumstances. And you learn how to safeguard and protect people where required.

  • 96.6%

    of students in work or further study 15 months after graduating 1

  • Social Work England

    approved degree 2

  • Apply for a cash award

    from the NHS Social Work Bursary scheme

  • Hundreds of hours

    on placement in a range of settings

  • Top 10 in the UK

    for learning opportunities 3

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

You study issues like homelessness, drug and alcohol use, disability and mental health. As well as social welfare policies and the safeguarding of adults and children.

We’re one of the founding members of the Humber Social Work Teaching Partnership. This gives you access to some of the biggest employers of social work practitioners in the area. And thanks to those strong relationships, you’ll get a range of placement experiences. From inner cities to market towns to seaside resorts. This gives a breadth of experience that makes you highly employable after graduation.

We're approved by Social Work England. That means you can apply to register as a qualified social worker when you graduate. It also means you could be eligible to receive support from the NHS Social Work Bursary Scheme. This could help significantly with your living and study costs.

We offer flexible entry routes if you don’t meet our entry requirements. These include the University Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice, and the Alternative Route into Health and Social Care.

Scheduled study hours and how you’re assessed

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time is divided across the year varies and depends on the module you are studying.

How you'll be assessed depends on the course you study, and the modules you choose. You may be assessed through a mix of examinations, coursework, presentations and group projects.

Choose your modules

Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.

Becoming a Professional: Readiness for Practice

This integration of professional values, theoretical knowledge and practice skills will prepare you in every sense for social work practice.

Core•20 credits

Human Development Across the Life-Course

Study child, adolescent and adult development, focusing on attachment, separation and loss. Develop skills in observation, communication and assessment.

Core•20 credits

Social Work and Society

Explore sociological theories and concepts which inform our understanding of societal structures and processes. Learn about life-affecting social divisions and inequalities. 

Core•20 credits

Social Work: Theory and Practice

Explore the role of theory in social work practice. You'll cover topics such as power; values and anti-oppressive practice; and the social work process, to name just a few.

Core•20 credits

Social Work and the Law

An overview of legislative frameworks in England in regard to adult social care, children’s social care and mental health, with an emphasis on human rights and values.

Core•20 credits

Becoming a Research-Minded Practitioner

An introduction to the importance of developing a critical and continuing understanding of knowledge and research. Translate current research findings into social work practice.

Core•20 credits

Throughout your study, you will undertake two placements of 70 and 100 days in duration. We have a wide range of statutory and voluntary placements available throughout the Humber region, which provide both stimulating and supportive opportunities to integrate theory and practice.
6 Modules

Developing Critical Approaches to Mental Health

Study the social, political and economic contexts of mental health and distress, and the framework which governs the understanding and management of mental health problems. 

Core•20 credits

Becoming a Professional: Rights-Based Practice

This module introduces you to the concepts of rights and risk and considers this in relation to the responsibilities of both child and adult social workers.

Core•20 credits

Understanding the Contexts of Service Users’ Lives

Combining theory and practice, this module runs alongside your placement. You'll refine reflective practice whilst integrating theories, methods and models with practice experiences.

Core•20 credits

First Practice Placement

Taken with a social work agency or organisation, the first 70-day placement is exciting and challenging. This experience will help you develop and refine your knowledge and skills.

Core•40 credits

Social Work and Substance Misuse

Explore the reasons people use illicit substances and how they change behaviour. You'll also develop knowledge of a range of interventions that are helpful in effective social work practice.

Core•10 credits

Working with Young Offenders

Think critically about the youth justice system in relation to the welfare needs of young people. You'll understand the social work contribution to multi-professional practice.

Core•10 credits

Loss, Dying and Bereavement

Everyone experiences loss. You'll understand the processes of loss and grief, and the models that help us to understand the effects on the individual, the family and wider systems.

Core•10 credits

Domestic Abuse

Understand concepts which underpin social work responses to domestic abuse. Specialist practitioners will provide perspectives exploring risk, safeguarding and gender.

Core•10 credits

In year two, you will complete your first 70-day placement and study.
8 Modules

Becoming a Professional: Decision Making and Professional Judgement

Explore the processes of professional decision making. With a practice focus, you'll learn about the synthesis of complex information and factors that may distort decision making.

Core•20 credits

Last Placement

Your 100-day placement will be in a contrasting setting to your first and will include some statutory work. There are also specialist opportunities such as palliative social work.

Core•40 credits

Understanding the Contexts of Social Work Practice

Develop a critical perspective on social work practice by gaining insight into the political, social and economic context, making connections with frontline social work. 

Core•20 credits

Social Work with Children and Families

Explore issues concerning the support and protection of children in need and their families. You'll discuss the importance of engaging children, neglect and alternative care provision.

Core•20 credits

Social Work with Adults

Explore the complexities of adult social work within different settings and reflect on the contemporary and future development of social work and social care for adults at a time of great change and resource restriction.

Core•20 credits

In your third year, you will be given the opportunity to study a specialist module alongside your second placement of 100 days and core modules.
5 Modules

This course is approved by

Playlist

Dr Lisa Revell

Course Overview 1 min

Social Work at Hull

Course Overview 3 mins

Chelsea Higgins

Student story 1 min

Melanie Garlick

Student story 1 min

Entry requirements

What do I need?

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

Have questions? Our admissions team will be happy to help.

What do I need?

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our academics

You’re taught by experts: researchers, social scientists, and registered social workers. People who bring their hands-on experience and passion into everything you learn.

Plus, you get your own Personal Supervisor. They’re on hand to give you all the help, guidance and encouragement you need.

See more academics for this subject
Dr Lisa Revell
Featured academic

Dr Lisa Revell

Lisa is a Senior Fellow of the HEA and Registered Social Worker. Before joining the University, she practised within Local Authority Social Services (North East Lincolnshire), and worked as a Children’s Services Practitioner with the NSPCC.

Luke Cartwright
Featured academic

Dr Luke Cartwright

Luke is a lecturer in Social Work and a member of the Police and University Network of Knowledge (PUNK), where he uses his national expertise in child criminal exploitation to train police officers, social workers, teachers and other professionals.

Take a look at our facilities

Brynmor Jones Library

Our 7-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world, and stunning panoramic views of the city from the 7th floor.

Reading Room

You’ll find the Reading Room on the first floor of our library. It offers a comfortable space and a quiet environment to study – away from the hustle and bustle of the campus.

Lecture Theatres

Take a seat and hear from our social work experts. This 200-seat lecture theatre uses a range of hi-tech audio-visual equipment for interactive learning.

Study Rooms

You'll find over 1,000 work spaces in our library. From boardroom-style meeting venues with big-screen PCs, to informal group-study areas and interactive whiteboards.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Look around

Look around

Brynmor Jones Library Observation Deck
Brynmor Jones Library Reading Room
Allam Medical Building Lecture Theatre
Brynmor Jones Library Group Study Room
Student Sally-Anne Pawson, in a graduation cap and gown, standing in front of a brightly coloured 'congratulations' sign

Future prospects

Thanks to our practice placements, you’ll clock up hundreds of hours in a professional setting. So you’ll have the real-world knowhow to back up the theory.

As well as social work, you could pursue a range of other careers and roles. You can apply your skills to fields such as policing and charity work. Or to alternative careers with a people-focus, such as counselling.

Our students go on to work as social workers, mental health practitioners, drug and alcohol specialists, and community workers. As well as welfare rights advisers, youth justice officers, and housing officers. Some graduates even go on to set up their own social enterprises to help meet the needs of their local communities.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Not ready to apply?

Visit our next Open Day, and see all that Hull has to offer for yourself. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.

Book your place now

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  1. (Social Work) UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Higher Education Graduate Outcomes statistics, for the academic year 2020/21, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency June 2023.
  2. When you graduate from our accredited degree, you can apply to register as a qualified social worker.
  3. National Student Survey (NSS) 2024, HEIs only.

 

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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