Keele University

What you'll study

This honours undergraduate programme provides an academic and practice-based grounding in social work theory, values and skills. Core areas include social work practice skills, human development across the lifespan, social policy, law relevant to social work, safeguarding, mental health, substance misuse, and approaches to assessment, intervention and review. Modules typically cover subjects such as:

• Foundations of Social Work Practice – values, ethics, and communication skills for relationship-based practice.
• Human Growth and Development – developmental psychology and life-course perspectives.
• Social Policy and Welfare Systems – the context of services, inequality and poverty.
• Law for Social Work – statutes and legal frameworks that shape child and adult social care, including safeguarding and capacity.
• Assessment and Intervention – risk assessment, care planning, evidence-informed interventions and outcome measurement.
• Mental Health and Substance Use – working with people experiencing complex needs.
• Research and Professional Enquiry – research methods, critical appraisal and practice-based evaluation.

Placement learning is central to the degree: students complete multiple supervised practice placements in statutory, voluntary and community settings, enabling them to develop professional competence across different service areas. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, skills workshops, simulation and reflective practice groups. Assessment methods combine written assignments, skills demonstrations, casework portfolios and placement assessments.

Entry requirements

Typical entry is through standard undergraduate admissions. Applicants are usually expected to have a combination of qualifications equivalent to the university's undergraduate entry level (for example, A-levels or an accepted alternative such as BTECs or a recognised access course) and a set number of UCAS tariff points, though exact offers can vary by year and applicant background.

• GCSE requirements commonly include a pass in English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or equivalent.
• Mature applicants and those with relevant work or voluntary experience in social care, health or community settings are encouraged to apply; such experience is taken into account when assessing suitability.
• All successful applicants must meet professional fitness to practise requirements, which typically include occupational health checks, an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and evidence of identity and eligibility to undertake placements.
• Selection often includes an interview and may include written tasks or situational judgement exercises to assess suitability for social work practice.

Career prospects

Graduates qualify to apply for professional registration as social workers with the relevant regulatory body and commonly move into roles in children and families, adults and older people services, mental health teams, criminal justice or substance misuse services. Employment settings include local authority social services, NHS integrated teams, voluntary and third-sector organisations, schools and specialist charities.

Career paths often lead from frontline practitioner roles into senior practitioner, team manager and practice educator positions, or into areas such as safeguarding, practice development, commissioning, research and policy. Further study options include postgraduate specialist qualifications, MA/MSc programmes and management or advanced clinical practice pathways.

Why study at Keele University

Keele offers a campus-based learning environment with interdisciplinary links across health, psychology and social sciences, supporting interprofessional learning that reflects real-world practice. The Social Work programme emphasizes small-group teaching, reflective practice and sustained placement partnerships with local authorities and voluntary organisations, helping students build practical experience and professional networks.

The course is designed around contemporary social work standards and professional expectations, with focused student support for placements, academic skills and wellbeing. Keele's approach combines robust academic study with applied learning to prepare graduates for the ethical, legal and organisational challenges of modern social work practice.