Social Work MSW
BBB at A level; graduates earn a median £26,500 three years on.
Typical A level offer
BBB
85% of entrants came with A levels · 90% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
BBBtypical A level offer
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBC, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
Who actually got in: 85% with A levels, 5% via Access courses, 5% with other higher education. 5% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 25 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications5
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 21 credits at Distinction and 24 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDMDDM We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus | — |
| IB | 31 points31 points overall | — |
| T Level | Merit overall including grade B in the Core in the following T Level subjects: AMerit overall including grade B in the Core in the following T Level subjects: Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Di | B in the Core in the following T Level subjects: Accounting; B in the Core: T Level in Education and Early Years |
| Scottish Highers | BBBBB | — |
Years 1–4
What do you study?
5compulsory modules in year 1, 3 optional
Compulsory modules this year: social & cultural skills 88% · transversal skills 10% · law & public administration 3%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 5 core, 3 optional · 100 credits ≈ 1,000 hours
- Power, Policy and Social Progress
What you learn (4)
- explain concepts relevant to analysing policy problems
- explain conceptions of power and their relation to policy decisions
- discuss how unequal power relations underpin social divisions
- propose policy reforms addressing unequal power relations
- The Psychological Mind in a Social World
What you learn (5)
- identify key psychological approaches
- explain how psychological approaches help understand social behaviour
- explain how psychosocial theory accounts for contemporary social issues
- propose possible solutions to social issues using psychosocial theory
- describe how psychological approaches explain social divisions and inequalities
- Social Science and the Chocolate City
What you learn (3)
- present data and evidence relating to a social issue
- evaluate differing perspectives on defining and solving social problems
- locate and use appropriate academic sources
- Introduction to Social Work
What you learn (3)
- describe the historical development of social work in the UK and abroad
- explain social work as both a profession and an academic field
- identify the contexts in which social work is carried out
- Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
What you learn (7)
- identify key dimensions of current social and public policy debates
- describe how key policy actors operate within policy processes
- explain how ideas and interests influence social and public policy issues
- critique social and public policy issues using interdisciplinary perspectives
- select relevant evidence sources to support policy analysis
- apply social science theory to address real-world policy challenges
- apply analytical thinking to critically evaluate contemporary policy issues
3 optional modules
- Theorising the Social World
What you learn (5)
- explain key concepts and debates in social theory
- discuss the development of social theory concepts in historical context
- apply theoretical ideas to analyse the social world
- evaluate methodological implications of social theory concepts
- communicate complex social-theory ideas in oral and written form
- Social Harm and Injustice
What you learn (9)
- explain the concept of social justice
- describe real-world implications arising from social justice issues
- describe the historical development of social harm theory
- explain the relationship between social harm theory and criminology
- outline the key arguments underpinning social harm theory
- reflect on policy implications of social harm and justice theories
- apply social harm and justice theories across diverse sectors and policy areas
- compare local and global applications of social harm and justice theories
- evaluate how social harms and injustices affect different groups differently
- Criminal Justice and Inequality
What you learn (1)
- describe key theories explaining the causes of inequality in crime and disorder governance
Year 2 · 5 core, 3 optional · 100 credits ≈ 1,000 hours
- Community Practice Experience
What you learn (2)
- reflect on personal development and workplace responsibility during placement
- work safely within the operational limits of the host organisation
- Researching Policy and Society
What you learn (6)
- explain how social research informs public policy decisions
- evaluate the quality and validity of published research studies
- identify ethical issues arising in social research practice
- describe political influences affecting the conduct of social research
- apply quantitative methods to analyse social data
- apply qualitative methods to collect and interpret social data
- Communities, Participation and Creating Change
What you learn (10)
- discuss core concepts of power, participation, community and social change
- describe various community-based approaches to social change
- outline theoretical traditions underpinning community-based social change approaches
- evaluate theories and practice models relevant to community-based action
- compare different forms of advocacy used in community practice
- apply theory and critical reflection to interpret social phenomena
- apply critical reflection to shape collaborative working practice
- construct persuasive arguments about contemporary social issues
- present approaches for collaboratively challenging the status quo
- produce short films using video editing software to communicate ideas clearly
- Creative Approaches to Working with Children, Young People and Families
What you learn (10)
- explain how developmental stages shape children's and young people's experiences
- describe how social and political contexts create stressors for families
- explain theoretical models underpinning intervention design for young people
- describe the process of developing interventions to meet children's needs
- communicate effectively with colleagues and service users in partnership working
- negotiate and collaborate with others to achieve shared goals
- reflect critically on practice to assess intervention outcomes
- evaluate the effectiveness of interventions used with children and families
- describe the lived experience of children, young people and families
- explain how service-user perspectives inform service development
- Enabling Spaces and Places: Exploring Social Perspectives on Disability and Mental Health
What you learn (8)
- identify social determinants affecting mental health and disability
- analyse how social determinants shape mental health and disability outcomes
- apply social theories to inequalities affecting disabled people
- apply models of mental health to issues of social inequality
- evaluate policy debates on disability and mental health
- examine institutional approaches to supporting disability and mental health
- assess approaches that promote inclusion of disabled people
- engage with lived-experience perspectives of disability and mental health
3 optional modules
- Victimology and Victimisation
What you learn (11)
- explain Christie's Ideal Victim Theory and its purpose
- evaluate the usefulness of Ideal Victim Theory for understanding victimisation
- apply Ideal Victim Theory to analyse varied victim scenarios
- evaluate criminal justice system responses to different victim groups
- evaluate government and NGO responses to different victim groups
- describe how intersecting identities shape experiences of victimisation
- explain how situational and social context constructs victim status
- analyse how dominant values and beliefs shape institutional responses to victims
- assess policy responses to victims of crime
- assess practice responses to victims of crime
- describe features of a victim-centred response for diverse forms of victimisation
- Future Worlds of Work
What you learn (10)
- explain economic, political, social and technological drivers shaping labour markets
- identify current challenges affecting working conditions
- assess the impact of working conditions on individual well-being and citizenship
- compare theoretical perspectives on changes in work and employment
- evaluate the contribution of different theories to understanding work change
- critique various data sources used to study labour markets
- analyse aims and outcomes of UK employment and labour market policies
- compare UK labour market policies with those of other european countries
- explain how employment policies interact with social protection systems
- contribute reasoned arguments to debates on the future of work
- Social Inequalities
What you learn (10)
- apply key concepts and theories to analyse social inequalities
- evaluate social inequalities and their policy implications
- identify different theoretical approaches to social inequalities
- critically assess how theoretical approaches shape policy development
- investigate inequalities across different policy areas
- assess empirical evidence relating to social inequalities
- evaluate different conceptualisations and measures of inequality
- apply measures of inequality in UK and comparative contexts
- communicate ideas clearly through written reports
- present data effectively to convey findings
Year 3 · 5 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Practice Learning Placement I
What you learn (10)
- demonstrate professional social work capabilities across required domains
- apply professional conduct standards in social work practice
- apply social work values and ethical principles in practice
- promote diversity and equality in social work practice
- apply principles of rights, justice and economic wellbeing in practice
- apply relevant social work knowledge to practice situations
- evaluate practice situations through critical reflection and analysis
- apply appropriate skills and interventions in social work practice
- explain how organisational contexts influence social work practice
- demonstrate leadership behaviours within a professional practice setting
- Social Work Practice Skills
What you learn (14)
- evaluate the role of communication in social work practice with service users
- evaluate the role of communication between professionals in social work
- critique key theories and models underpinning social work practice
- evaluate models for managing resistance and conflict in practice
- analyse professional boundaries and workload demands in social work
- evaluate health, safety and wellbeing considerations within professional practice
- apply emotional intelligence within the professional social work context
- evaluate service users' perspectives on social work practice
- analyse emotional dynamics within relationships between service users and professionals
- describe personal and professional development through reflective practice
- analyse personal practice skills using critical reflection
- evaluate roles and responsibilities involved in professional supervision
- explain the significance of leadership within social work employment
- apply communication theory to practice at a readiness-to-practice standard
- Social Work Across the Lifecourse - Part 2: Knowledge into Practice
What you learn (3)
- apply theory and research findings to social work practice
- apply professional ethical principles in complex work settings
- analyse personal practice experiences to identify learning
- Social Work Across the Lifecourse - Part 1
What you learn (7)
- explain how social workers evaluate practice knowledge in different settings
- apply social work knowledge within varied practice contexts
- describe theories and models used for assessment in social work
- describe approaches used for intervention in social work practice
- resolve practice dilemmas through sound ethical reasoning
- explain how to achieve effective practice through multi-agency working
- reflect on own practice to identify personal assumptions and reactions
- Law and Policy for Social Work
What you learn (8)
- apply statutory frameworks to social work practice scenarios
- explain key concepts underpinning social work law and policy
- describe current trends and challenges in social work policy
- evaluate difficulties encountered when applying social work law in practice
- analyse how policy implementation affects social work practice
- analyse how policy implementation affects service users
- identify actions social workers can take to influence policy agendas
- describe how social workers shape street-level policy application
Year 4 · 3 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Research Dissertation
What you learn (9)
- formulate a research question relevant to social work practice
- evaluate research methodologies suited to different social work research questions
- conduct a comprehensive or systematic review of existing literature
- appraise the quality of research evidence
- design a feasible and robust research project or systematic review
- carry out a research project or systematic review relevant to social work
- report research findings clearly and accurately
- evaluate the implications of findings for social work practice
- integrate professional capabilities across all social work practice domains
- Applying Knowledge in Social Work
What you learn (4)
- identify diverse sources of knowledge that inform social work practice
- critique the concept of evidence and its application in social work
- evaluate the validity of knowledge claims derived from research methods
- apply critical appraisal to distinguish useful knowledge for practice
- Practice Learning Placement II
What you learn (6)
- demonstrate professional conduct standards during a placement
- apply values and ethics standards in social work practice
- apply diversity and equality principles in social work practice
- apply knowledge of rights, justice and economic wellbeing in practice
- apply critical reflection and analysis to social work practice
- apply social-work skills and interventions in placement practice
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£26,500median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£22k
Median£27k
Upper quarter£31k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 45 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 24, 14, 23
Half of graduates earned between £21,500 and £30,500. Five years on, the median is £30,500. 100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 95% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 15% left | 90% | 20 |
| In work or study, 15 months on0% studying | 100% | 15 |
| Professional or managerial job | 95% | 15 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £35,000 | 10 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £26,500 | 45 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £30,500 | 40 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £40,200 in fees over 4 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £27,800 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
92%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 87% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 15 students answered
Highest: 100% agreed on question 2; lowest: 69% on question 14.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 92% |
| Question 2 | 100% |
| Question 3 | 92% |
| Question 4 | 92% |
| Question 5 | 92% |
| Question 6 | 92% |
| Question 7 | 92% |
| Question 8 | 92% |
| Question 9 | 85% |
| Question 10 | 92% |
| Question 11 | 77% |
| Question 12 | 85% |
| Question 13 | 85% |
| Question 14 | 69% |
| Question 15 | 92% |
| Question 16 | 85% |
| Question 17 | 77% |
| Question 18 | 92% |
| Question 19 | 92% |
| Question 20 | 100% |
| Question 21 | 85% |
| Question 22 | 92% |
| Question 23 | 100% |
| Question 24 | 85% |
| Question 25 | 77% |
| Question 26 | 92% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.