Social Work BSc (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Social Work Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code L500 Award BSc (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location Central Area Start date September 2026 School School of Social and Political Science College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Accreditation Available Placement Mandatory Open days and events Overview About the degree programme Social work is a profession suited to people who:are creativeare practicalare resourcefulenjoy working with other peopleYou will combine ingenuity and optimism with honesty and realism, in the face of the demanding situations which some service users experience.You should have a stable, well-integrated personality, and you must be able to see beyond the immediate issues presented by service users, the general public, and policy-makers. You will also require well-developed social and communication skills and a high degree of empathy.What social work looks likeGood social work combines an interest in people with a rigorous intellectual attitude and the constant search for better methods of helping, supported by research and development.Social workers support people in difficult circumstances to improve their wellbeing. They provide protection to people who may be vulnerable, and promote social justice.Working within legal systems and codes of practice, social workers work with individuals, families and communities to enable change. They work in partnership with other agencies to achieve this, including, for example:healtheducationhousingthe policeStudying social work will enable you to think critically about the work that social workers do and to develop:skills in assessment and communicationa strong sense of professional ethicsan understanding of the importance of social justiceWe seek to meet the demands of this changing profession and contribute to an understanding of, and improvements in, public policy and professional practice.How we are shaping social workWe have previously played a major role in advising on the future shape of social work services in Scotland. We contributed to reports that led to the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, which remains a core legislative basis for Scottish social work today. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years.A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.How long it takes to complete our degree programmes Programme rankings We are ranked number one in Scotland for Social Work in The Complete University Guide 2025. Programme benefits Our programme will provide you with an internationally-recognised professional qualification, which will enable you to register as a professional social worker, opening up your employment opportunities in the UK and abroad.Our programme is fully accredited by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).You will complete full-time practice placements with local agencies and organisations during Years 3 and 4.We are a diverse and international community of staff and students. We work with local and international partners on all of our teaching programmes to ensure that our teaching reflects our commitment to social work values, ethics and social justice.The University started providing training for social workers in 1918 and today we are well-recognised as a leading institution in social work training. Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.Select the qualification you are studying or studied. 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Additional costs All successful applicants must join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which will currently cost you between £18 and £59. Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.This estimate covers the costs of:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee a breakdown of living costs Scholarships and funding Funding information You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section. Funding Programme details What you will study The BSc in Social Work comprises two years of foundation studies in the social sciences followed by two years of professional education and training.You will draw upon your voluntary or paid employment in social work and social care, or other related fields, to demonstrate your professional people skills.Throughout the programme, we have regular guest lectures which include:people with lived experience who have used social work servicespractitioners and managers from our partner agenciesresearchers with expertise in specific areas Year 1 You will be introduced to the day-to-day practice of social work in our Year 1, Semester 1 course, Social Work: Making A Difference.In Semester 2 you will look at how using art and creative methods in social work practice can enhance effective intervention and support social activism.You will also study two foundational courses in social policy, and option courses of your choice.We are currently reviewing the sequence of delivery of our Year 1 and Year 2 courses. Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 2 You will take the following courses:Human Rights and Social Justice: Social Work and the LawFrom Research into Practice: Landmarks in Social Work ResearchAs in Year 1, you will also take option courses of your choice.You will have to complete either paid or voluntary relevant work experience as part of the Working and Relating: Developing Your People Skills course.This experience will also inform discussions regarding your progression into honours years. This progression is based on:academic achievementprofessional registrationconfirmation of your continued interest in social workWe are currently reviewing the sequence of delivery of our Year 1 and Year 2 courses. Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 In this year, you will study only social work courses.Courses include:Social Work in CommunitiesSocial Work with Individuals and FamiliesWorking with Self and Others: Skills, Theories and MethodsUnderstanding Care and ControlProfessional Practice in Social Work 1 (this includes an 80-day full-time placement) Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 You will study:Working with Risk, Trust and ComplexityProfessional Practice in Social Work 2 (including a 100-day full-time placement)You will also complete an 8,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choice. Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Placements Practice placements in Years 3 and 4 are full-time and are organised by the University. Placements are generally within agencies in:Edinburghthe LothiansScottish BordersFifePlacements are available in a wide variety of local authority social work services, community-based social work development services including:Children and Family teams or Adult Services teamsresidential/nursing homessocial work teams in hospitalslocal support organisations for people experiencing homelessness, addictions and mental health challenges, such as Four Squareyouth organisationscommunity-based specialised services for Children and Families or Adult Services such as Circle, Dad’s Rock, Multi Cultural Family Base (MCFB) and Grassmarket Community Project Teaching and assessment Teaching You will be taught through a combination of:lecturestutorialsworkshopsgroup activities Assessment In Year 1 and Year 2 you will be assessed by a combination of:essaysreflective accountspresentationsother written assessmentsIn your honours years you will be assessed by a combination of:courseworkgroup workyour performance on your practice placements Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.Support for your studies Studying Social Work in Scotland resource siteA new inter-university resource site has been produced as a collaboration between the universities in Scotland which deliver programmes leading to a qualification as a social worker.The site contains lots of information for students who do not currently live in Scotland and will be coming to study social work. Visit the new site for information on:Living in ScotlandSocial Work in ScotlandStudying in ScotlandBecoming a Social WorkerPlacementsYour University Our academic staff Our people are the most important thing about our subject area. It takes a team of academics, professional services colleagues and PhD students working together to deliver our teaching, carry out our research and keep the department running. Together, they form a supportive community covering a range of professional expertise.You can search for academic staff by name or role on our school website.Search academic staff by name or role Where you will study Study location The majority of teaching on this programme takes place within the University's Central Area. Academic facilities You will also have access to the University's library and computer facilities. Career paths and further study Accreditation The BSc (Hons) Social Work is accredited by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Career paths As qualified social workers, our graduates are eligible to work in statutory or voluntary settings within the following sectors:adult serviceschildren and familiescriminal justiceWhile many of our graduates stay working in Scotland, your professional qualification will allow you to work elsewhere in the UK and in many countries internationally.Our graduates work in a range of places, such as:community-based agenciesprisonshospitalsCareer pathways exist from the early practitioner stage through to senior management, including in major organisations in the third sector, and international aid and humanitarian organisations.The strong communication and interpersonal skills that you will develop during your programme will also prepare you for a range of other careers involving working with people.Our graduates work throughout the world to make a real difference in the communities where they live. Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.With the Careers Service, you can:access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisionsVisit the Careers Service website Further study Some social work graduates choose to continue with their studies or enter research.You could progress to:a masters degreea postgraduate diploma or certificatea PhDa second undergraduate degreeFind out about options for further study Applying How to apply You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.Guidance on applying through UCAS What you need to apply As part of your application, you will need:your academic qualificationsa personal statementevidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)a reference How we select If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.How we select applicants When to apply 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.Search degrees that are open on the UCAS websiteKey application dates and deadlines After you apply After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at university Scottish Social Services GroupYou must register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a student of social work. Join the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme for a background check If we give you an offer, you will need to join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme before you start this degree programme.We will send you information on how to join the PVG scheme.PVG scheme information on the Scottish Government websiteIf you live outside the UKIf you live outside the UK, or have spent more than one year living outside the UK, then you will need to provide equivalent verification from the relevant national authority.If you have a criminal convictionIf you state you have a criminal conviction, we will not ask for any more details until we consider your application and decide you are eligible for an offer. Applying as an international student As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS. Find out more about applying through UCAS Visas and immigration If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme. Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. Applying for a visa Agents An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact. Find contact details for an education agent Life at Edinburgh What our students say Student testimonialsHear about what it is like to study with us, and about life in Edinburgh from those who know it best: our students and graduates.Testimonials from our students and graduatesCheck out our student blogOur team of School of Political Sciences (SPS) student writers share their experiences and thoughts on the things that matter to them on our student blog, for example:writing your first assignmentwhat to do in Edinburgh on the weekendwhat to expect in Welcome Weekliving away from homehybrid learningliving sustainablyOur SPS student blog Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.University accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSports clubsAdditionally, most of the departments in the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) have associated student societies, which are designed to offer you the best chance to develop your interests, network and meet like-minded people.Edinburgh Political UnionFacebook - Edinburgh Political UnionX - Edinburgh Political UnionEmail the Edinburgh Political Union at edinburghpolitics@gmail.comSustainable Development AssociationFacebook - Sustainable Development AssociationX - Sustainable Development AssociationEUSA website - Sustainable Development AssociationEmail the Sustainable Development Association at eduni.sda@gmail.comSociology SocietyFacebook - Sociology SocietyInstagram - Sociology SocietyEmail the Sociology Society at edisociologysociety@gmail.comSocial Anthropology SocietyFacebook - Social Anthropology SocietyEmail the Social Anthropology Society at soc.anth.soc@gmail.comSocial Policy SocietyFacebook - Social Policy SocietyX - Social Policy SocietyEmail the Social Policy Society at ediunisocpolsoc@gmail.comQ-Step SocietyFacebook – Q-Step SocietyEmail the Q-Step Society at edqsoc@gmail.com The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities to daily life, including: sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include:a student counselling servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
