Skip navigation
Social Work at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS

Course summary

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information. Course Summary

  • Study contemporary knowledge, legal responsibilities and duties of social workers.
  • Apply ethically sound professional judgements to social work practice situations.
  • Undertake practice placements in a range of social work areas and settings which meet Social Work England (SWE) standards and guidance.
  • Develop problem-solving and shared-decision-making skills to address complex social work practice issues – required for your registration as a social worker.
Over two years you’ll expand your knowledge and practice skills, integrating legal frameworks which impact upon individuals and communities within local and global social work interventions. Through direct practice you’ll develop social work expertise to analyse and interpret research, evidence and statute effectively – presenting an appropriate course of action and recommendations in an anti-oppressive, rights-based manner in the multi-cultural context of the UK. How you learn Our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. We take a global approach to social work – both individually and with student project groups – encouraging collaboration, professional curiosity, problem-solving skills and critical reflection. You’ll explore case studies and real-world examples with practitioners and people with lived experience – intellectually challenging social work problems at national and global levels. You’ll develop evidence-based solutions, portfolios of evidence and transferable employability skills – preparing you to successfully register as a professional who makes ethically sound assessments and research-informed decisions. You learn through:
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Specialist lectures from social work practice, carers and experts
  • Interactive workshops
  • Learning through reflection on practice
  • Professional portfolio
  • Presentations
  • Use of digital technologies
  • Directed learning
  • Independent learning
Course topics On this course you’ll integrate the underpinning knowledge base of social work practice, contemporary policy and legal frameworks which affect individuals and communities. You’ll learn to exercise initiative to address global social work practice issues, preparing you to register as a social worker. You’ll utilise practice skills required in a contemporary employment setting within professional social work standards/guidance from Social Work England (SWE), and codes of ethics from the British Association of Social Work (BASW). These include planning and implementing tasks, adaptability, autonomy, leadership and reflective practice. During your final year you’ll undertake a research project in a field of social work practice – with the potential to disseminate your research project further afield and within practice partnership forums. Applied learning Placements Practice-based learning is a core element of this course. We work in partnership with five statutory sector, local authority social work providers, three NHS Foundation Trusts, and third sector organisations. It’s through working in partnership with these provider organisations that we’re able to allocate your placements. While our dedicated placement team manages the placement finding process, academic staff are key in supporting you in your placement application.

Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on the course webpage. Year 1 Compulsory Modules Evaluating Research Methodologies Law, Policy, Rights And Justice Social Work Practice Placement One Theoretical Perspectives, Values And Ethics For Social Work Final Year Compulsory Modules Creating Original Practice Evaluating Complexity In Practice Fields Of Social Work Practice Social Work Practice Placement Two

Assessment method

Coursework | Exam | Practical


Entry requirements

Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language or literature or equivalent*, plus an honours degree recognised in the UK at 2.2 or above in any subject, together with relevant personal or professional experience of social care. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. GCSE English equivalents are: • equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk International and European Union entry qualifications: If you are an international or EU student, please visit our international qualifications web page to see the country specific academic qualifications we accept. If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English. Please note that the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) require IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 for registration. Helping your application succeed: Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview. Reference: You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application. Course enrolment - professional requirements: Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration forms provided during the admissions process: unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings; involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments; involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations; enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University. Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check: you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge; you will need to present valid identity documents as part of the application process; if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check; where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate. Occupational Health Screening: You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users. Immunisations: You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent.

If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English. Please note that the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) require IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 for registration.

Please click the following link to find out more about English language requirements for this course

https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/Social-work/MSW-Social-Work/Full-time


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
EU £17155 Year 1
International £17155 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200. If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found at https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/terms-and-conditions-and-student-regulations under student fees regulations. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200. Please refer to our website for up-to-date information on costs and fees: https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate/fees

Sponsorship information

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.

Social Work at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS