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Social Work at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS

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2025 - 2026
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Goldsmiths, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

11Jan
Goldsmiths, University of London - Campus tours
Undergraduate

Course summary

Why study BA Social Work at Goldsmiths Drawing on current research, government guidance and legislative frameworks, this degree focuses on the issues that are key in facilitating your development as a social worker.

  • Both an academic and professional qualification, so it's ideal if you're interested in pursuing a professional career in social work.
  • We'll equip you with the knowledge, values and skills you'll need to practise as a reflective and ethical social worker, equipped for the challenges of contemporary social work practice.
  • Our social work programmes are highly regarded by potential employers within London and further afield, and our graduates have an excellent record of securing employment.
  • The degree includes practice placements in two settings and with different service user groups, so you'll be able to gain invaluable real-world experience.
  • You will cover topics including: social work practice methods; anti-oppressive practice; social theories; developmental perspectives; research methodologies; and social policy. The knowledge that you gain will help you develop the broad set of skills and perspectives needed for successful social work practice in a variety of settings.
  • We'll encourage you to think deeply about human rights and social justice, and to embed these values in your practice.
  • Social work education at Goldsmiths has a long and distinguished record – you'll be taught by established social work academics and associate lecturers who have considerable research and/or practice experience in their fields.
  • The degree also prepares you according to the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), the Quality Assurance Agency subject benchmark for social work, and the Department of Health's requirements for social work training.
  • You will study with a cohort of other social work students from London and elsewhere, and some of your modules will also allow you will also study alongside students from other programmes, including Youth Work and Community Studies. Interdisciplinarity is a strength of our programme.
Please note the BA Social Work only accepts applications for first year entry and does not accept applications for deferred entry.

Modules

Year 1 In your first year of study, you are introduced to social work as a professional activity and an academic discipline. You consider key concepts such as the nature of need, community, social work services, and the significance of the service user perspective. Major theoretical approaches within the social sciences and their relationship to social work will be investigated, as will studies in professional development for practice, where you will have the opportunity to shadow a qualified social worker. You will study the following modules: Introduction to Social Work, Community Development, and Youth Work Group Work Introduction to Applied Social Science Research Professional Development for Practice Foundation to Social Work Introduction to Social Science Race, Racism and Professional Practice Year 2 In your second year, you address issues of life-span development and are given a grounding in methods of intervention. Your assessed practice consists of 70 days in a student social work role. This gives you the chance to develop your communication and social work practice skills with service users, and to work in partnership across professional disciplines and agencies. You are also provided with an introduction to assessment in social work and to the links between social work theory and practice. You'll take the following modules: Social Work Skills and Methods Introduction to Law and Social Work Applied Social Research Methods Theory, Policy and Practice Theories of Individual Development Social Work 70-Day Placement and Practice Integration Year 3 Your third year gives you an overview of the legal and organisational context of social work and extends your knowledge and skills in one of the two main specialist areas of social work practice: working with children and families, or working with adults in need. A theory and practice module looks at methods of intervention and theories applied to a particular area of social work, while another assessed practice element enables you to meet the professional requirements for social work training via 100 days of practice under the guidance of a practice educator. You are expected to demonstrate competence across a range of standards and this is formally assessed. The learning on the degree builds over the three years and prepares you to apply that knowledge to practice situations. You take these modules: Social Work Skills and Methods Social Justice and Social Work Social Work 100-Day Placement and Practice Integration Practice placements You are required to spend 170 days in practice settings. These placements are arranged through the allocation system devised by the College. In Year 1, you are expected to complete two days shadowing an experienced Social Worker as well as a period of voluntary work, both of which you arrange. In Year 2 there is a practice placement lasting 70 days. In Year 3 the practice placement lasts 100 days. The practice placements will be supported by 30 days for the development of practice skills. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed through a combination of presentations, role play, written reflection, portfolio, practice placements, practice placement portfolios, examinations and extended essays.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
L500
Institution code:
G56
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

You must also have: A minimum of three months' full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience: one months' experience when you are applying, and a further two months by the time you start the degree. Please make sure you read our work experience guide for more information about the experience that we accept. In addition to Level 3 qualifications you must also have Grade C/Grade 4 or above in GCSE English or certificated equivalent (eg Level 2 Key or Functional Skills Literacy) The ability to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English. Fitness to train requirements.

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

http://www.gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-social-work/

Additional entry requirements

Admission tests

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Health checks

Interview

Institutions Own Test (IOT)

BA Social Work written test. If you have met the entry requirements you will be invited to sit this test which requires you to reflect on a text in relation to social work. This test is to provide evidence of: your ability to communicate clearly in written English; your commitment to core social work values and your capacity for critical reflection. The test takes place on a PC at Goldsmiths. The paper is assessed and on the basis of this, progression to the next stage of the assessment process will be decided.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7With a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
80%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

To find out more about fees and funding, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office https://www.gold.ac.uk/ug/fees-funding/
Social Work at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS