Overview

Social workers can change lives.

Driven by passion and purpose, they stand alongside individuals, families and communities in their most difficult moments. They help people navigate inequality, overcome adversity and respond to social change.

With our BA (Hons) Social Work, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

If you enjoy Modern Studies, Psychology, Sociology, English or Health and Social Care, and want to help people, this course could be for you.

You’ll explore how social policy, law, psychology and sociology shape lived experience. Alongside this, you’ll develop core social work skills, including assessment, relationship-based practice and ethical decision-making.

Grounded in social justice, human rights, compassion and respect, our course prepares you to work alongside people with empathy, professionalism and purpose. You’ll learn through case-based teaching, applying theory to real-world situations and developing your confidence in decision-making.

Your learning combines academic insight with immersive, hands-on experiences. In our Interprofessional Simulation Centre, you’ll practise complex scenarios, including home visits, in a safe and supportive environment. This hands-on preparation builds your confidence before working with real clients. You’ll also build on your experience through two professionally supervised placements, where you’ll apply your skills in real social work settings.

At GCU, we work in partnership with you, supporting your development in a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. Throughout this course, we’ll help you develop into a skilled, confident and ethical professional. We emphasise belonging, reflection and professional identity, encouraging you grow as both a practitioner and a person.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to register as a qualified Social Worker and begin a career where you can make a meaningful difference to individuals and society.

Why study Social Work at GCU?

Build confidence and professional judgement in our Interprofessional Simulation Centre. Practise realistic scenarios, including home visits, and develop skills in multi-disciplinary working.
Benefit from our strong partnerships with local authorities, third sector organisations and practice educators across Scotland. You can gain access to high-quality placements and career opportunities.
Study in a supportive and inclusive environment grounded in social justice, human rights and relationship-based practice. You’ll be supported to grow both professionally and personally.
Graduate eligible to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), enabling you to practise as a qualified social worker in Scotland.
Develop knowledge and skills informed by global perspectives on social justice and human rights. This prepares you for career opportunities in the UK and internationally.

What you will study

Please note that full module information is in the process of being finalised for publication and will be made available here shortly.

In the meantime, you can view and download the Programme Specification at the bottom of this page. This document provides an overview of the course structure, including indicative modules, learning content and further key information. The modules listed on the Programme Specification are for the current academic year and are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course.

Careers

Graduates of this course progress into a wide range of professional roles. Opportunities exist across statutory, voluntary and third sector settings in Scotland, the wider UK and internationally.

You’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council as soon as you graduate, and practise as a qualified social worker.

Many of our graduates begin their careers in frontline social work roles within local authorities in areas such as:

children and family services
criminal justice
adult services
mental health
learning disabilities
older people’s services.

Some build careers in the third sector, including charities and community organisations. They support people affected by a range of issues, including:

refugee status and asylum
poverty
domestic abuse
substance abuse
homelessness.

A large proportion of our graduates progress into Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) posts. This leads to clear routes into advanced practice, specialist, leadership and policy-related roles.

We have close partnerships with employers, practice educators and national bodies. These give you access to high-quality placements, networking opportunities and employment options.

Social work remains a high-demand profession across the UK, driven by demographic change, social inequality and statutory requirements. Our Social Work course is grounded in Scottish policy, combined with global perspectives on rights, trauma and social justice. This prepares you for exciting international roles in related fields such as policy, advocacy and research.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BA (Hons)	Full Time	4 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	L500	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BA (Hons)	Full Time	4 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow	L500	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Year 1

Standard entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 108

Scottish Higher: BBBB or equivalent incl Higher in essay-based subject

A Level: BBC or equivalent incl A Level in essay-based subject

Minimum entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 90

Scottish Higher: BCCC or equivalent incl Higher in essay-based subject

A Level: CCC or equivalent incl A Level in essay-based subject

Year 2 entry

Standard entry requirement

HNC Social Services with Graded Unit B/NextGen HNC Social Services with Merit

English language

IELTS score of 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or equivalent)

Additional information

Selected applicants will be invited to attend interviews as part of the admissions process

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Teaching and assessment

The learning and teaching methods we use ensure that our programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centred, practical, participative and relevant to the needs of employers.

We've moved away from the traditional teacher-centric learning to a more independent learning approach, where you are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.

Teaching is delivered by experienced, research-active staff working across policy, practice and professional education. We focus on building a trusting relationship with you, and take an inclusive, values-led approach to teaching.

We promote interactive and applied learning that mirrors clinical practice, encouraging discussion, reflection and critical thinking.

You will learn through a combination of:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
case-based learning
simulation
skills workshops.

A range of assessment methods support learning and professional development. These include:

written assignments
reflective work
case analysis
presentations
skills assessments.

In the final year, your honours project will focus on a practice-relevant topic. You will develop key analytical and transferable skills valued by employers.

Practice learning and placements

The BA (Hons) Social Work incorporates two professionally supervised practice placements:

One approx. 80-day placement in Year 3
One approx. 100-day placement in Year 4

You will gain experience in statutory and third-sector settings and apply learning to real social work contexts.

Placements are carefully planned and supported through strong partnerships with local authorities and voluntary organisations across Scotland.

Entrepreneurship, leadership and employability

While social work is a regulated profession, the course actively develops leadership, initiative and problem-solving skills. You will be encouraged to think creatively about practice, service improvement and social innovation. Skills like communication, analysis, teamwork and ethical decision-making will support your progression into specialist, leadership and policy-related roles.

Interprofessional Simulation Centre

Our Interprofessional Simulation Centre is a state-of-the-art teaching facility where health and social care students learn through realistic, hands-on experience. It includes lifelike hospital wards, simulated home and care environments, an ambulance and specialist spaces such as X‑ray, radiotherapy and physiotherapy clinics.

Using real healthcare equipment, advanced patient manikins and video recording, you can practise real-life situations safely and review your learning. The Centre supports nursing, paramedic, allied health and social care training. It helps you learn how to work across specialties while building your confidence and practical skills before working with real patients.

We use video and audio recording of students during practical exercises in our teaching and assessment. If you’re applying to study a health-related course, you should be aware that you may be recorded. These recordings may be viewed by staff, students, and external examiners for learning and assessment. This is not an optional component of the course.

Professional accreditation and recognition

The BA (Hons) Social Work is a professionally recognised qualifying course. When you graduate, you can apply for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a qualified social worker. SSSC registration is a legal requirement to practise as a social worker in Scotland.

Full professional practice also requires:

Successful registration with the SSSC
Employment in a qualified social work post
Completion of the Supported Year for Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW), which is undertaken in employment after graduation.

The course includes a final-year transitions curriculum aligned to national guidance, preparing students for these post-qualification requirements.

Graduation alone does not permit independent social work practice without SSSC registration and employment in a regulated role. Registration is subject to the SSSC’s fitness to practise, character and suitability requirements.

Visit the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) website.

Please note: Social work is regulated differently across countries. The GCU degree is a recognised Scottish qualification. If you want to practise outside Scotland, check local regulatory requirements with the relevant professional body.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.