Queen's University Belfast - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Bachelor in Social Work
Belfast, United Kingdom
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 20,800 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: £4,750 | England, Scotland or Wales: £9,250 I EU Other and International: £20,800
Key Summary
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is a professional qualification in Social Work accredited by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (thereafter Social Care Council) and recognized throughout the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and elsewhere. The program is a combination of academic study and assessed practice learning opportunities. Practice Learning Opportunities are regionally allocated in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership and key stakeholders.
Social Work highlights
Industry Links
The Social Care Council developed a suite of online resources in consultation with the NI Degree in Social Work Partnership, service users, and Social Work agencies to assist potential applicants in finding out more about Social Work. Links outline what the role entails, where you can study Social Work, and what service users value.
Professional Accreditations
The Degree in Social Work is professionally accredited by the Social Care Council.
Social work students in Northern Ireland are required to register with the Social Care Council.
As part of the registration process, you will be asked to declare information so that the Social Care Council can assess your suitability or ‘Fitness to Practise’. The purpose is to protect the public. Each case will be considered separately and on its own merit.
Student Experience
Social work students normally resident in Northern Ireland are eligible to apply for the Student incentive scheme. This is available from the Department of Health and is valued at 4000 GBP per year with an additional fund of 500 GBP.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Permanent academic staff employed by Queen’s to deliver teaching are actively conducting and disseminating research in peer-reviewed journals or at national and international conferences or seminars. In most instances, they are international leaders within their specialist field. In the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 the Social Work Degree at QUB is ranked in the top 10 for research in the UK for Social Work.
Global Opportunities
Whilst on the BSW degree there will be opportunities to engage with social work students from other countries to explore social work education and practice from an international perspective. The Degree in Social Work will enable graduates to work in countries outside of the UK throughout their careers.
Student Experience
The Degree Plus / Future Skills Award recognizes and accredits Queen’s students for the personal initiative and drive they demonstrate in developing skills and experiences outside of their academic program. Students who successfully complete Degree Plus / Future Skills will have the accreditation recorded on their QSIS record and will receive a certificate at their graduation ceremony.
Further Study Opportunities
We offer a wide range of postgraduate programs, such as Child Care, Mental Health, Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Systemic Psychotherapy, as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, as shown on the SSESW website.
We offer prestigious, competitive scholarships of up to 50% off tuition fees to new international students. You must have an offer to study a full-time course with us in 2024 to apply for a scholarship.
Year 1
Core Modules
- Introduction to Social Work
- Sociology for Social Work
- Themes and Issues in Social Policy
- Law for Social Workers
- Preparation for Practice Learning
- Psychology for Social Work
Year 2
Core Modules
- Social Issues Across the Life Course
- Evidence-Informed Case Study (UGR 2)
- Practice Learning Level 2 UGR
- Research, Policy, and Practice
- Social Work in Context
Year 3
Core Modules
- Practice Learning Level 3
- Evidence-Informed Project (Level 3)
- Social Work in Criminal Justice and the Courts
- Social Work in Adult Services
- Social Work with Children and Families
Queen’s University Belfast is ranked 174th in the QS World University Rankings 2027
Studying for a social work degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills, knowledge, and values valued by employers, professional organisations, and academic institutions.
Employment after the Course
Queen’s graduates are well-regarded by many Social Work employers (statutory and voluntary). According to data provided by the Social Care Council, 80% of Social Work graduates are registered for their Assessed Year in Employment (AYE) within six months of graduation.
Newly qualified Social Workers receive extra support to develop their skills, knowledge, and competence through the ‘Assessed Year in Employment’.
When you graduate, there will be a variety of job choices working across the life-span (with children, adolescents, adults, and older people); as part of specialist teams (mental health, addictions, family support), residential and daycare settings, hospitals, schools, prisons and community development projects.
According to the Guardian’s Best UK Universities Guide 2022, 91% of our Social Work graduates, within 15 months, find graduate-level jobs or are engaged in further professional or higher education studies.
Your starting salary as a Social Worker can be £22,000-£30,000, depending on the sector you work in.
As a qualified Social Worker, your career will offer excellent opportunities for promotion and access to high-quality post-qualifying courses at Master's and doctoral levels for continuous personal and professional development.