BA (Hons) Social Work Bachelor's degree at Oxford Brookes University
BA (Hons) Social Work at OBU. The university, founded in 1865, is a public institution with approximately 16,900 students.
About this course
Social Work. BA (Hons), degree course from the Department of Sport, Health Sciences, and Social Work at Oxford Brookes University From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Social Work is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at OBU, based in Oxford Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 8 modules
- Evidence in Professional Practice ICompulsory
Module details
This module introduces you to the foundation of knowledge and skills to help you prepare for social work practice. You will be using evidence in professional practice which forms your basic grounding for academic and practice development throughout the course and your career. You will explore how evidence is used to make decisions about everyday practice and also: develop your library skills (referencing, database use) develop your evidence location skills (finding, reading, summarising and eval
- Professional DevelopmentCompulsory
Module details
This module introduces you to the foundation of knowledge, skills and understanding, to help you prepare for your social work practice. Your learning will be set in a professional social work context of social work values theoretical concepts research findings evidence-based practice. You will study the Social Work professional codes, standards, performance and ethics to gain a deep understanding and knowledge of the social work profession.
- CommunicationCompulsory
Module details
This module is your introduction to the foundation of knowledge, skills, understanding and behaviours to help you prepare for your social work practice. You will have an eight day skill development pathway which ensures that you are fully prepared for starting your social work practice learning when you reach stage two of the Social Work Course. This mixture of theory and practical learning will help you develop your knowledge and skills of effective communication. You'll get to use the communic
- Human Growth and Development ICompulsory
Module details
This module is your introduction to a broad range of theories and models (bio-psycho-social) which seek to explain what shapes and influences personality and behaviour across the lifespan. You will examine theoretical constructs in terms of the context of their development, their strengths and weaknesses, their interface with other theories and their applicability in understanding and working with others. Through this module you will better understand human behaviour and formulate strategies to
- Human Growth and Development IICompulsory
Module details
This module will further your knowledge that you gained on the Human Growth and Development 1 module. You'll take a deeper look at the theories that inform how people grow and develop across the life course. You'll revisit some theories, others will be contextualised within a variety of frameworks. You will focus on exploring how structural challenges are relevant to developmental change. Your attention will be given to: considering the impact of attitudes to physical disabilities and mental ill
- Social PolicyCompulsory
Module details
You will explore social processes associated with, for example; poverty, unemployment, poor health, disablement, lack of education and other sources of disadvantage. Then you'll examine the manner in which these issues lead to marginalisation, isolation and exclusion. You will focus on the impact of social policy initiatives on the demand for social work and social care services, and contemporary social work/social care practice. You will develop further understanding of policy and the social wo
- Legal FrameworksCompulsory
Module details
The module will help you gain understanding of the legal context of childcare, social care and social work practice in England. Also you'll explore the relationship between the legal and policy framework, service provision and empowerment. You will: explore the role of social work within the legal context discuss the responsibilities social workers have within the legal framework evaluate the impact social care law has on people at risk gain a deep understanding of the social care legal system i
- Safeguarding People at RiskCompulsory
Module details
This module is your introduction to a foundation level understanding of safeguarding children and adults at risk. You will consider the impact of abuse and neglect on people's lives, and to think about an appropriate professional response might be to the identification and management of risk. Also you'll build knowledge and understanding of: definitions of terminology practice within a political and social context connections between deprivation and harm a framework for understanding abuse and h
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This BA (Hons) course in Social Work is delivered by the Department of Sport, Health Sciences, and Social Work at Oxford Brookes University. A course like this typically progresses from foundational understanding of social work principles and practice to more specialised study in areas such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, community and primary care, and leadership. You'll usually combine theoretical study with practical placements throughout, moving from core clinical and communication skills in your early stage through to more complex case management and evidence-based practice as you progress. The course normally builds towards professional registration and competence in your final stage, integrating supervised practice with academic learning to prepare you for NMC registration.
Who it's for
This part-time degree suits those seeking to develop professional expertise in social work whilst balancing other commitments. It is taught in English and leads to a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree qualification.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing & Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree. Of those working, 87% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £27,000 to £30,500, rising to £27,200–£38,400 after five years. These figures reflect national outcomes rather than university-specific guarantees.
University & format
This BA (Hons) Social Work is studied part-time at Oxford Brookes University, a public university founded in 1865 and based in Oxford. The course is taught in English and is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body, with degrees nationally recognised. Teaching quality is rated Bronze in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Please note: the course length data is not provided.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
What is a contextual offer? Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code L500). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at OBU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £30,000 | £24,000 – £35,000 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £29,000 | £22,000 – £41,500 | 35 |
| 5 years after | £34,500 | £27,000 – £48,500 | 35 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
- 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
- 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally
National figures for Nursing & Health graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Nursing & Health courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,506 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Protective service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 20% of published destinations
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 20% of published destinations
- Caring personal servicesSOC 2020 613 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £23,668
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Nursing ProfessionalsSOC 2020 223 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £37,597
- Welfare ProfessionalsSOC 2020 246 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £39,047
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine documentation and triage support
- Scheduling and records admin
- First-pass risk flags from data
- Standard reference look-ups
More human than ever
- Hands-on, compassionate care
- Clinical judgement and accountability
- Communicating with patients and families
- Ethics and safeguarding decisions
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS trusts
- Private healthcare
- Care providers
- Community & mental-health services
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Nursing & Health graduates.
Nursing Home ManagerJarrodean Healthcare RecruitmentSenior Charge Nurse Uist Community Nursing teamNHS National Services ScotlandCare Assistant - Nursing Home | Flexible Hours, Weekly PayMpa RecruitmentCare Assistant (Nursing) - Nightshift - RatheaneMacklin Care Homes LimitedSenior Support Worker: Meaningful Care & Flexible ShiftsPotens GroupDental NurseBupa Dental CareIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.7 out of 10: NSS 84.4% · in work or study 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Oxford Brookes University
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Oxford Campus
900 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Nursing & Health right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to OBU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £17,250 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
This course lists IELTS 7.0 overall, with no category scoring below 6.5. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check OBU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with OBU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at OBU
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
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