Applied Social Work

Why choose Social Work at Derby?

Our BA (Hons) Applied Social Work course is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and values required for professional social work practice. With a focus on real-world learning and strong industry connections, we ensure our graduates are ready to support individuals, families, and communities in need. 

• Accredited by Social Work England: This course meets professional standards, allowing you to apply for registration as a qualified social worker upon graduation. 
• Hands-on experience: Benefit from two full-time work placements in frontline social work settings, gaining essential practical skills. 
• Expert teaching: Learn from experienced social workers and academics engaged in cutting-edge research and policy development. 
• Strong employment prospects: 95% of our graduates are employed in the social care sector or further study within six months of graduating. 
• Supportive learning environment: Our small class sizes and dedicated student support services ensure you receive the guidance needed to succeed. 
• Flexible learning: Blended learning approaches, combining in-person and online study, help fit your education around personal and professional commitments. 

Course structure and key modules

This course blends academic study with practical experience, covering key areas of social work theory and practice.

Modules include: 

• Introduction to Social Work: Understand the foundations of social work, ethics, and legislation. 
• Human Growth and Development: Explore the psychological and social factors that influence human behaviour. 
• Social Work Law and Policy: Learn about the legal frameworks that guide professional practice and how to apply them in real-life situations. 
• Working with Children, Families, and Adults: Develop essential communication, assessment, and intervention skills to support vulnerable individuals in diverse settings. 
• Safeguarding and Risk Management: Gain critical insights into protecting people at risk and promoting their welfare. 
• Research Methods in Social Work: Develop skills in evidence-based practice, critical evaluation, and applying research to real-world social work scenarios. 
• Final Year Dissertation: Conduct an independent research project on a key social work issue, contributing to ongoing discussions in the field. 

Public Health and Social Care at the University of Derby

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

This course is exciting and challenging. You’ll undertake 170 days on placement to gain experience and develop your skills. You’ll be taught in a number of ways, including activity-based group work, lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. You’ll also complete your own self-directed study. 

How you are assessed

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways, including written assignments, presentations, one exam, written reports, assessments, placement portfolios, court experiential learning, role play and professional discussions.

We are constantly introducing new and effective methods of assessment to enrich your learning experience. We have just, for instance, introduced a VIVA approach – which involves a spoken assessment – for two modules.

Practical Learning and Placements

A strong emphasis on work-based learning ensures you graduate with real-world experience. Throughout the course, you’ll complete two substantial placements with local authorities, charities, or healthcare organisations, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as: 

• Child protection and family support 
• Mental health and wellbeing services 
• Youth and community work 
• Adult social care and disability services 
• Domestic violence support and crisis intervention 

Placements provide an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge, develop essential professional skills, and build strong networks within the social work sector. Our placement team will support you in securing placements that align with your career aspirations. 

Research and Industry Connections

Our academics are engaged in impactful research that informs practice and policy. Areas of expertise include: 

• Social justice and equality: Examining ways to reduce discrimination and improve access to services. 
• Mental health interventions: Investigating best practices for supporting individuals with complex needs. 
• Child welfare and safeguarding: Shaping policies to protect vulnerable children and families. 
• Substance misuse and rehabilitation: Exploring intervention strategies for individuals recovering from addiction. 
• Aging and Elder Care: Researching ways to enhance the quality of life for older adults and promote independence. 

Through partnerships with local councils, NHS Trusts, and charities, our students benefit from guest lectures, networking opportunities, and real-world case studies that enhance their learning. Additionally, Derby’s Social and Community Research Centre provides students with opportunities to get involved in ongoing research projects addressing social challenges.

A degree in Applied Social Work from Derby opens the door to various roles in the public, private, and voluntary sectors, including: 

• Social Worker (Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, Mental Health Teams) 
• Family Support Worker 
• Youth Justice Worker 
• Substance Misuse and Rehabilitation Specialist 
• Housing and Welfare Officer 
• Community Outreach Coordinator 
• Domestic Abuse Case Worker 

With accreditation from Social Work England, you’ll be eligible to register and begin practising as a professional social worker upon graduation. Our graduates have secured roles with organisations such as Derby City Council, NHS Trusts, Barnardo’s, and the National Probation Service. 

To further your career, you may choose to specialise in areas such as mental health, safeguarding, or social work management through postgraduate study or professional development courses. 

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Additional entry requirements 

• Interview and written test: please view interview details
• An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied
• An Occupational Health Assessment and Clearance by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this when required

To be considered for interview, your Personal Statement must evidence the following:

• An understanding of the roles and responsibilities of UK-based social workers
• Relevant social care/work experience (paid or unpaid).* You need to state how this relates to social work. You may want to refer to Social Work England/BASW Professional Capabilities Framework domains to do this
• The length of time you have spent gaining this experience and how it makes you suitable for undertaking the social work course at this time

*Experience can take the form of voluntary or paid work in which you are able to demonstrate interaction with children and adults in a range of diverse settings. For example, this could be acting as a peer mentor, working within a nursery setting, having caring responsibilities for a sibling or parent, and understanding and applying safeguarding measures or working in a care home and supporting residents with welfare needs.

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you may be considered for the BA (Hons) Applied Social Work with Foundation Year.

To be considered for the BA (Hons) Applied Social Work with Foundation Year, students should apply for this course and our admissions team will get in touch with you after the interview stage.

Learn more about courses with Foundation Years

English language requirements

Non-UK applicants should achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment (or an equivalent assessment).

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Bursaries

Any undergraduate social work bursaries awarded to the University of Derby (by NHSBSA) will be allocated according to the following criteria: performance from the Year One module – Preparation for Practice Learning. 

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.