The University of Northampton
Social Work BA (Hons)
The University of Northampton

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 25 graduates of Social Work BA (Hons) at The University of Northampton for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Social Work.

Overall student satisfaction
60 /100
25 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Social Work

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Social Work at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £31000 £25000 £31500
25-75 percentile range £27000 - £33500 £19000 - £30500 £27500 - £36000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Social Work

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £30014 £24882 £27670
25-75 percentile range £26322 - £32477 £17078 - £30541 £18866 - £34301

Course Description

Our Social Work BA (Hons) aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and values appropriate for work in a variety of social work settings. Employment prospects for Social Work graduates are excellent and you will be able to pursue social work careers across the country.

This course promotes an approach to learning that actively engages you with key issues and themes in Social Work practice. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to develop a range of communication skills through experiential teaching and learning facilitated by Service Users and Social Work Practitioners in readiness for direct practice. You will undertake 170 days of practice learning (placement). Through strong partnerships between the university and employer providers, you will be matched to a specific service. All placement providers are quality assured by the University.

After successful completion of this programme, you'll be able to register with Social Work England as Social Workers.

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

  • You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

  • Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

  • Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

The Northampton Employment Promise

  • In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a social worker in England.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Social Work BA (Hons) at The University of Northampton

90% Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals
10% Sales occupations

Grading & Study Time

Assessment of learning during the course takes many forms and covers both theory and practice. Each module is assessed against the learning outcomes for the module. The format of the assessments includes essays, posters, reports, presentation, and workbooks of evidence. There is only one exam in the course, a law exam in the first year. Second and third-year placements are assessed through portfolios. In your third year you will complete a dissertation.

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects.

Accepted towards grade requirements

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course.  Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based arts, humanities or social science subject, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus AB in two A Levels to include English. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

Accepted towards grade requirements

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the A Level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

D*D in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics. or DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A* in A-level mathematics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

Access to HE Diploma

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

Accepted towards grade requirements with other qualifications

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus A Level English at grade B. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Grade combinations between 112 - 128 points considered when combined with other Level 3 qualifications including AS and Extended Project to achieve 112 - 128 points. (Subject grades achieved at AS level and then taken at A2 do not count).

Considered with a maximum of 3 other Level 3 qualifications to obtain 88 pts Preferred subjects:- Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science Excluded subjects:- Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism Applicants doing Media subjects will be considered on an individual basis by Admissions Tutor.

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

A-level or Extended Diploma or T-level in Science or plus GCSE Mathematics, English Language and Science at grade 4 (or C). Functional Skills level 2 Mathematics and English are accepted in place of GCSEs.

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation / Pathway Courses
    • General Test
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Social Work, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Social Work BA (Hons)

EU £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Northampton in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Northampton in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #58 
    • #69 
    Social Work
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #62 
    • #78 
    Social Work
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]

See all 12 university rankings of The University of Northampton

About The University of Northampton

The University of Northampton is a public institution in Northampton, England which places particular emphasis on the student experience, promoting a personalised educational experience with lecturers who care about their students. Waterside Campus, Avenue and Park Campuses as well as their Innovation Center are the University of Nottingham’s main campus sites.

List of 156 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Northampton - Course Catalogue

Student composition of The University of Northampton

undergraduates:
9080
postgraduates:
3010
Total:
12090
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Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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