BA (Hons) Social Work Bachelor's degree at the University of Kent
BA (Hons) Social Work at University of Kent. The university was founded in 1965 and holds Silver status for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
About this course
Make a difference with a BA (Hons) in Social Work at the University of Kent. Gain practical experience and theoretical knowledge in social care, mental health, and community work, preparing for a rewarding career in social services and support. Apply now! From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Social Work is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Kent, based in Medway. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Social work graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (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: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 80% (2022-23; 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.
Stage 1 6 modules
- Social Work Context 1Compulsory
Module details
A practical module that introduces you to social work Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) as you prepare for the 2-day shadowing and the 70-day Placement. You will be introduced to issues such as substance use/misuse, working with adults and children including identifying forms and types of harm. You will learn the importance of holistic assessment and the practical skills of community profiling. You will continue learning and applying assessment skills and processes through the use of the O
- Communication and Interpersonal SkillsCompulsory
Module details
Effective communication skills are one of the most crucial components of a social worker's job. You will rehearse how to engage people quickly and effectively, working through people's frequent communication obstacles of fear, mistrust, and uncertainty. You will develop reflective skills of emotional intelligence to work out 'what is really going on interpersonally' in each situation.
- Social Work Context 2Compulsory
Module details
A very practical module that extends your introduction to social work Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs). You will experience a two-day shadowing learning activity within a real-life social work setting. You will be introduced to key safeguarding issues in relation to coercive controlling behaviour within domestic abuse. Another focus is on the role of the social worker in relation to promoting wellbeing and safeguarding for people who are struggling with their mental health. You will expan
- Law Rights and EthicsCompulsory
Module details
This module will address a range of issues related to values and ethics, and rights, justice and economic well-being. Students are introduced to the importance of using case law and applying legal rights in practice and recognising the fundamental principles of human rights and equality, and the relationship the law has with rights, ethics and justice.
- Theoretical PerspectivesCompulsory
Module details
This module considers the different 'theories for understanding' and 'methods/models for social work intervention' that arise from research, sociology, social policy, psychology, health and human growth and development. Social work theories have evolved from and exist in different historical and cultural contexts. The module engages you to reflect on how to apply theory in a way that considers voiced knowledge of people with lived experience, power dynamics and anti-oppressive practice.
- Lifespan DevelopmentCompulsory
Module details
This module introduces fundamental theoretical approaches that help us understand lifespan development and human behaviour. It focuses on key concepts, such as trauma, loss, transitions and resilience and explores their relevance across different life stages. Biological, psychological, environmental, economic, cultural and social factors are explored, and the diversity of human experience and growth is illustrated.
Stage 2 4 modules
- Placement 1 and Practice Skills DevelopmentCompulsory
Module details
You will attend placement for a period in line with the requirements of the professional regulator and carry out direct work with people with lived experience in a social work or social care environment. You will develop skills, knowledge and values through experiential learning. You will be supervised by either an on-site supervisor and/or off-site practice educator.
- Social Work with Adults and FamiliesCompulsory
Module details
This module aims to equip you with knowledge and understanding of social work with adults and families. Specific knowledge and information about the needs and lives of adults with lived experience and the issues that bring them to the attention of social workers will be addressed alongside exploration of key concepts such as 'safeguarding' and 'personalisation'. The policy and legal context of social work with adults will be explored and awareness of the changing responsibilities of social worke
Assessment: Observed Structured Practice Assessment (OSPA)
- Making Sense of Mental HealthCompulsory
Module details
You will appraise the different models of mental health/mental distress such as the medical/biological model, social model, anti-psychiatry model, bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual model. The voice of people with lived experience is a central focus and you will evaluate the effects of stigma, injustice, social inequalities and oppressive social relations upon their lives. You will critically analyse key concepts like 'care' and 'risk' in mental health services, acknowledging the ethical and p
- Advanced Intervention SkillsCompulsory
Module details
Social work interventions with individuals, families and communities are a cornerstone of holistic social work practice. You will be equipped with practical tools and knowledge to create positive change in people's lives. Some examples of current social work interventions include cognitive behavioural therapy, narrative methods, trauma informed approaches, motivational interviewing and others. You will be prepared for theoretically informed intervention practice and develop clear analysis, refle
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 course equips you with practical experience and theoretical knowledge in social care, mental health and community work. You'll usually begin with foundations in nursing practice, anatomy and physiology, and communication skills, moving through clinical placements from Year 1 onwards. Year 2 typically covers acute and long-term care, medicines management and pharmacology, with placements in community, mental health or specialist settings. In your final year, you'll study complex care and leadership, evidence-based practice, and complete a consolidating placement towards professional registration. Throughout, placements run alongside classroom learning to build clinical competence. You may specialise in areas such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, community and primary care, or leadership pathways, depending on your interests and career goals.
Who it's for
This course suits those committed to working in social care and support services. You'll study social work practice, policy and theory to prepare for professional practice. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; typical entrants had UCAS tariffs between 80 and 95 points. The course is taught in English.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing & Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 87% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries of £27,000–£30,500 at 15 months; after three years, £23,800–£33,600; and after five years, £27,200–£38,400. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes and LEO data, not university-specific guarantees.
University & format
The BA (Hons) Social Work is a 3-year, full-time degree taught at the University of Kent, a public university based in Medway. Teaching is in English. The University of Kent is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and this degree is nationally recognised. The course received a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
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.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 80% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
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 L508). 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 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. 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 University of Kent →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 | £32,000 | £30,000 – £33,500 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £32,000 | £23,500 – £36,000 | 90 |
| 5 years after | £36,500 | £25,500 – £45,000 | 100 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; 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: 20; 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.
- Welfare ProfessionalsSOC 2020 246 · 80% of published destinations · ASHE median £39,047
- Caring personal servicesSOC 2020 613 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £23,668
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: 55; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) Social Work worth it?
Generally yes. On its graduates’ median earnings, BA (Hons) Social Work is worth about +£95,630 more over the first ten years of work than going straight to a job, a solid return once you net out the fees.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 11.5. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
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
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. 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
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 87.6% · in work or study 85% · continued 80%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Kent
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 Medway
1,063 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 University of Kent from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £19,300 / 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
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. 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 University of Kent’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 University of Kent and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Kent
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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