This applied course paves the way for you to register and practise as a qualified social worker, reaching out to help people from many different backgrounds to assess and tackle their problems. Achieve your ambitions by studying on this four-year course which includes a foundation year.
- A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions
- Build a dynamic portfolio of skills and theories to work with your clients in a variety of settings
- Be inspired by our experienced, enthusiastic academic team who put teaching first and are dedicated to your success
- The Foundation Year course leads on to the full Applied Social Work degree that is accredited by approved and accredited by Social Work England meaning you will be able to practise as a qualified social worker, as long as you meet their requirements.
Please note that it is not possible to apply directly to the following course. For this foundation year course, it is only possible to attain a place if you do not get the grades expected having been provided with an offer for the BSc equivalent.
Beginning with a foundation year
Starting at foundation level is ideal if it has been a while since you were in formal education; are planning a career change; would benefit from a more gradual introduction to university level study; or do not meet the entry requirements to join our three-year honours degree directly.
It gives you an insight into working in health and social care environments, as well as supporting you to develop the skills you need to achieve your goals.
On completion of the Foundation Year you will then commence study on the full Applied Social Work degree.
Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
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.
There is a growing demand for qualified social workers who can excel in a variety of fields, so this course opens doors to an exciting and diverse range of career opportunities.
Our graduates from BA (hons) Applied Social Work have gone into child protection, mental health, disability and youth justice or working with vulnerable or older adults. You could work in settings such as hospitals, day centres, social services, residential centres, schools and the voluntary sector.
Once you are a qualified social worker, you'll be expected to continue your professional development so you can keep up to date with current trends in the sector. You could also choose to specialise in particular areas of practice once you have qualified.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2026 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 80 |
| A Level | CDD |
| T Level | Pass (C or above in the core) |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE English is preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake English at Level 2 as part of your course of study |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 |
| English language requirements | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area) |
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2027 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 80 |
| A Level | CDD |
| T Level | Pass (C or above in the core) |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE English is preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake English at Level 2 as part of your course of study |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 |
| English language requirements | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area) |
IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.5; with at least IELTS 6.0 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR level B2 or above.
Additional entry requirements
- Interview: Yes 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
- Applicants are required to have experience in social care. This may be paid or unpaid work, personal experience of caring for someone with social care needs or being a service user themselves
| 2026/27 | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £5,760 * | N/A |
| International | N/A | N/A |
*This is the fee for the Foundation Year. Subsequent UK fees are £9,535 per year. Subsequent International fees are £17,500 per year.
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to
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.
-(1)-(1).jpg)
/prod01/derbyacuk/media/derbyacuk/assets/study/employability/Image---employability.jpg)
.jpg)