A social work degree is tailored to produce professionals who can work in the areas of social policy and practice in a wide range of settings, including government, voluntary organisations, community-based projects, management, education, social care, health care, probation and user groups, as paid workers or volunteers.
Whether you want to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, a Master's in Social Work or a PhD in Social Work overseas, perhaps you should give articles a try!
Due to several reasons such as affordable tuition fees, accreditations, global recognition, up-to-date courses, and countless majors and specialisations, the s is one of the favourite destinations of international students regarding a social science degree.
Many Top Social Work Universities offer placements in field, residential, daycare, hospital, prison and service user-run settings.
Top Universities for Social Science in the UK
The UK is home to the best universities for social sciences, some of which include the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
|
QS World Rank 2023 |
University in the UK |
Location |
|
2 |
University of Oxford |
Oxford |
|
4 |
University of Cambridge |
Cambridge |
|
3 |
London School of Economics and Political Science |
London |
|
26 |
UCL |
London |
|
29 |
University of Manchester |
Manchester |
|
51-100 |
University of Sussex |
Brighton |
|
8 |
University of Edinburgh |
Edinburgh |
|
=52 |
University of Essex |
Essex |
|
39 |
King’s College London |
London |
|
51-100 |
University of Sheffield |
Sheffield |
|
=74 |
Loughborough University |
Loughborough |
|
78 |
University of Warwick |
Warwick |
|
85 |
Durham University |
Durham |
|
=93 |
University of York |
York |
|
=96 |
Lancaster University |
Lancaster |
|
51-100 |
University of Leeds |
Leeds |
|
49 |
University of Birmingham |
Birmingham |
|
101–125 |
University of Bristol |
Bristol |
|
51-100 |
Cardiff University |
Cardiff |
|
101–125 |
City, University of London |
London |
|
101–125 |
University of East Anglia |
Norwich |
|
101–125 |
University of Exeter |
Exeter |
|
101–125 |
Goldsmiths, University of London |
London |
|
101–125 |
University of Southampton |
Southampton |
|
48 |
University of Glasgow |
Glasgow |
|
126–150 |
University of Nottingham |
Nottingham |
|
126–150 |
SOAS University of London |
London |
Top Social Work Universities in the UK: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
BSW in most UK universities is accredited by Social Work England (SWE). This course is tailored to offer theoretical and practical skills that one will need to succeed in Social Work.
Bachelor of Social Work Courses in the UK
|
University |
BSW Programs |
|
London Metropolitan University |
Social Work- BSc (Hons) |
|
University of Northampton |
Social Work BA (Hons)- 3 years full time |
|
University of Strathclyde |
BA Hons Social Work |
|
Coventry University |
Social Work BA (Hons) |
|
University of Greenwich |
Social Work, BA Hons |
|
University of West London |
University of Social Work (Hons) |
|
University of Birmingham |
Social Work BA- 3 years |
|
Queen’s University Belfast |
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)- 3 years |
|
Kingston University London |
Social Work BA (Hons) |
Eligibility
Document Checklist for Applying to BSW Program in UK Universities
- Academic documents (character certificate, provisional certificate, and transcripts of 10th and 12th)
- Valid English Language Scores
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of Recommendation if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Application fees, unless application fees are waived
Academic Requirements
International Students must complete secondary education with a minimum grade of B/C or its international equivalent. The top social universities like Oxford University and Cambridge University have strict entry requirements.
English test scores
The cut-off IELTS Score (or other international test scores) is comparatively higher for social work programs in the UK.
- IELTS: 7.0-7.5, with a minimum of 6.5-7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 92-110, with a minimum subscore of 23
- PTE: 68-75, with a minimum subscore of 68
|
Talk to an ExpertTop Social Work Universities in the UK: Bachelor of Social Work Tuition fees
For domestic students, the BSW Degree costs an average of GBP 9,250 in almost every UK university.
|
BSW University in the UK |
Academic tuition fees per year (GBP) |
|
London Metropolitan University |
15,576 |
|
University of North Hampton |
13,000 |
|
University of Strathclyde |
16,400 |
|
Coventry University |
15,000 |
|
University of Greenwich |
14,500 |
|
University of West London |
12,750 |
|
University of Birmingham |
19,980 |
|
Queen’s University Belfast |
17, 900 |
|
Kingston University London |
15,400 |
|
University of Sunderland |
13,000 |
Top Social Work Universities in the UK: Master of Social Work (MSW)
The length of a Master of Social Work in the UK is 1 to 2 years. After completing an MSW degree from the UK, you can register as a social worker with Social Work England.
Masters in Social Work Courses in the UK
|
University |
MSW Course |
|
York University |
MA Social Work |
|
University of Edinburgh |
Master of Social Work (MSW) |
|
University of Manchester |
MA Social Work |
|
London School of Business and Research |
MSc in Health and Social Care Management |
|
University of Bristol |
MSc Social Work |
|
University of Dundee |
MSc in Advanced Social Studies |
|
University of Birmingham |
MA Social Work |
|
Kingston University London |
Master of Social Work (MSW) |
|
University of Northampton |
Social Work MA |
|
Middlesex University |
Social Work MA |
Eligibility
Document Checklist
- Academic documents of all the schools and colleges attended before (Bachelor, High school and class 10). The academic document includes transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates. The scorecards in the bachelor's degree must meet the specific requirement set by universities.
- English Language Scores- Should be valid.
- Application fees, unless application fees are waived
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- Letter of Recommendation if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
Academic Requirements
To study MSW in the UK, Students need to hold a Bachelor's degree in social science with a major in human services, community services, social science, psychology, community health etc., from an accredited institution with a minimum of upper second-class grades.
Some universities also accept applicants with bachelor's degrees in an irrelevant field as long as the student's application is competent and buttressed by a minimum of 2 years of experience in the social work field.
English test scores
The minimum cut-off scores for Top social work universities in the UK for master of social work programs are:
- IELTS: 6.5- 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0-7.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 85- 100, with a minimum subscore of 23
- PTE: 58-68, with a minimum subscore of 58- 65
Top Social Work Universities in the UK: Masters in Social Work Tuition fees
|
University |
Average Annual tuition fees in GBP |
|
University of East London |
14,580 |
|
University of Edinburgh |
24,000 |
|
University of Manchester |
19,000 |
|
University of Bristol |
19,800 |
|
University of Birmingham |
20,430 |
|
Kingston University London |
14,900 |
|
University of Sunderland |
10,000 |
|
University of York |
19,950 |
|
University of Northampton |
14,000 |
|
Cardiff University |
18,700 |
Top Social Work Universities in the UK: PhD in Social Work
Doctor of Social Work or PhD in Social Work is 3 to 5 years in the UK.
PhD in Social Work Courses in the UK
|
University |
Social Work degrees |
|
University of Birmingham |
Doctor of Social Work |
|
University of Manchester |
PhD in Social Work |
|
University of Hertfordshire |
PhD Social Work |
|
University of Edinburgh |
Social Work PhD |
|
University of Bristol |
Social Work (PhD) |
Eligibility
Document Checklist
- Academic documents such as transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of master, bachelor, and intermediate levels
- English Language Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose
- Experience letter for gap
- Letter of Recommendation if asked by the university
- Identification documents like passport
- Application fees, unless application fees are waived
Academic Requirements
- Applicants need a bachelor's degree in social work with a research component.
- Applicants need to complete a thesis-based master's degree or a course-based master's degree with a research component or equivalent and also complete a thesis.
- For almost every PhD program in Social work, candidates must find and finalize the supervisor.
English test scores
International students from English, not speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: IELTS Academic of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 79, with a minimum subscore of 19 in each band
- PTE: 58, with a minimum subscore of 58
Top Social Work Universities in the UK: PhD in Social Work Tuition fees
The fees for a doctorate in social science can cost from GBP 12,000 to 40,000 per year for international students in the UK. Nevertheless, via financial aid like scholarships and assistantships, international students can study PhD in Social Work for free in the UK.
|
University |
Annual tuition fees in GBP |
|
University of Bristol |
19,500 |
|
University of Manchester |
25,500-38,500 |
|
University of Kent |
17,400 |
|
Brunel London University |
20,450 |
|
Top Social Work Universities in the UK: Scholarships
|
University |
Scholarships |
Value |
|
University of Nottingham |
Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship |
50 to 100% waiver on tuition fees |
|
South Asia Postgraduate Excellence Award |
Up to GBP 4.000 |
|
|
University of Birmingham |
Achievement Scholarship |
£1,500 |
|
Excellence Scholarship |
£1,500 |
|
|
University of Exeter |
Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarships |
starting from £5,000, payable as a reduction of the international tuition fee for the first year of study. |
|
Imperial College London |
President’s Undergraduate Scholarship |
£1,000 for each undergraduate year of study (for a maximum of four years). |
|
Imperial Bursary |
Up to £5,000/year, |
|
|
University of Liverpool |
Vice-Chancellor's International Attainment Scholarship 2021 |
2500 reduction of tuition fee |
|
International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship |
2500 |
|
|
Brunel University |
Brunel Graduate Discount |
15% of the tuition fee |
|
University of Manchester |
Manchester Alumni Scholarship |
GBP 3,000 |
|
GREAT Scholarship 2020 |
Varies |
Top Social Work Universities in the UK: Career Opportunities
According to Payscale, The top highest-paying cities in the UK for Social work positions are London (£31 per hour), Taunton (£30.7 per hour), Bradford (£29.41 per hour), Gloucester (£26.97 per hour), and Worcester (£26.49 per hour).
After graduating from famous social work Universities in the UK, you can find jobs in leading UK companies hiring social workers, such as Maxxima, Tower Hamlets and East London NHS Foundation Trust.
This is what the average salary looks like for social work professionals in the UK. Remember that the salary varies with experience, skills, companies, and degrees.
|
Social Work jobs in the UK |
Social Work graduates average salary per year in Euro |
|
Social Worker |
42,500 |
|
Mental Health Consultant |
41,570 |
|
Teacher |
37,500 |
|
Counsellor |
27,746 |
|
Family Support Worker |
24,406 |
|
Child Care Service Manager |
36,000 |
|
Child, Family or School Social Worker |
23,000 |
|
Homeless Shelter Worker |
27,000 |
