Your Guide to Social Work Degrees

Earning a social work degree from an accredited programme can lead to a rewarding career in social services. This field promotes the well-being and empowerment of individuals, families, and communities. You can earn social work degrees of varying levels, including bachelor's, master's, and doctorate. Many entry-level positions, such as social worker or education mental health practitioner, typically require a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), whilst you'll need to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) or higher to pursue a career as a counsellor or work in social policy. 

Learn about the major types of degrees you can earn in social work and the career opportunities available with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Social work degrees

The type of social work degree you choose depends on your unique career goals and current qualifications. For example, you need a bachelor’s degree to practice as a social worker. However, if you want to specialise further in the field, you will likely need a postgraduate degree, such as a master’s in social work. This includes such areas as counselling, social research, or social policy. If your undergraduate course is in an unrelated subject, you may also need a master’s degree. Furthermore, you often need to earn a doctorate in social work for roles in academia and administration. 

Whatever degree programme you choose, one of the United Kingdom’s regulatory bodies (Social Work England, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Social Care Wales, or Scottish Social Services Council) must approve the course. 

A degree apprenticeship also offers an alternative to earning a full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree, providing another route for entry into social work that’s worth noting. Degree apprenticeships allow you to work for educational credentials. You will often complete coursework part-time at a university whilst gaining practical experience by working for an organisation. Upon completion of the apprenticeship programme, you will then achieve the equivalent of a bachelor’s or master’s degree. 

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Social work jobs usually require at least a bachelor’s degree. Depending on your programme, earning a BSW takes about three years of full-time study. You may also pursue a BSW in a part-time course.

Admission requirements: While requirements vary by university, most include A-levels with grades between BBB and BBC and GCSE (or equivalent) maths and English with at least a grade 4/C. Equivalent qualifications, such as Level 2 Functional Skills, are also typically accepted. 

Additionally, as part of the application process, you will likely complete an online skills assessment, provide academic or professional references, and attend an interview. You must also pass an occupational health check and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, plus demonstrate relevant experience through a personal statement. 

Who’s it for: If you’d like to pursue a career in social work, a BSW can build a foundation of skills and knowledge to set you up for success. It can also act as a first step towards earning a postgraduate degree in social work.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

A master’s degree is the route you will likely take if your undergraduate degree is in a different subject. These courses take around two years of full-time study and help you hone in on specialisation and develop clinical assessment skills. You can also take what you’ve learned out of the classroom and into the real world through supervised placement or an internship, which is part of the curriculum.

You don't need a BSW to earn your MSW; you can have a bachelor’s in another field. However, if you have your BSW, you may find accelerated programmes that will speed up the time it takes to earn your graduate degree. For example, accelerated degree courses like Frontline, Step Up to Social Work, and the Think Ahead programmes allow you to work whilst earning master’s level qualification. If you have a 2:1 degree in a different subject but want to work in a certain area of social work or earn a master’s level qualification in a specific area of social work, such as mental health, these programmes could help. 

Admission requirements: Most MSW programmes require candidates to have a 2:2 honours degree or above in a subject in (or related to)or ideally related to social work and GCSE at grade 4 (or C) in five subjects or the equivalent. Attending an interview, conducting an occupational health check screening, and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check are also common. 

To assess your skills as a social worker, some programmes require you to complete a short written assessment and be able to demonstrate experience in the social care sector through a personal written statement. In some cases, the programme requires a set amount of prior work experience in a field related to or directly in social work.

Who’s it for: Aim for a master’s degree if you’d like to practise specialised social work as a qualified social worker or to enhance your job prospects. 

Doctor of Social Work

A doctoral degree in social work (DSW) is a professional degree for someone who wants to work in social policy and practice. The degree combines coursework, research projects, and a dissertation on applied research. A DSW is for working professionals and tends to be more practice-based. These programmes typically take three years full-time or six years as a part-time learner and include more specialised training for advanced practice or leadership positions.

Admission requirements: Depending on the programme, you’ll need a first-class or upper-second-class honours degree in social work, a related field, or a postgraduate degree. Many programmes require previous professional experience in social work. 

Who’s it for: Consider a DSW if your career goals include supervisory, clinical research, or more specialised positions. 

PhD in social work

With a social work PhD programme, you can prepare for university research and academic teaching positions. A PhD in social work is a doctorate focussing on theoretical research to prepare you for a career in academia, policy analysis, or research-based positions. Earning this degree typically takes three years as a full-time learner. 

Admission requirements: Admission to a PhD programme in social work often includes a minimum 2:1 honours degree and a master’s degree. You may also need to submit samples of publications or papers that demonstrate your research skills in the form of a research proposal. 

Who’s it for: A PhD in social work might be right for you if you’re interested in teaching social work at a college or university or pursuing advanced research in the field.

Social work curriculum and field experience

Each social work programme will have its own curriculum, with classes becoming more advanced and specialised as you pursue higher degrees. The scope of the curriculum depends on the specific degree and programme, with some overlap in core contents. Topics you’re likely to study include:

• Social policy law 

• Ethics and values 

• Human behaviour

• Social services delivery systems

• Research methods

• Statistics

• Social environment

• Diversity, oppression, and social justice

• Social welfare policy

• Assessment and diagnosis

• Strategic planning

Curricula at the postgraduate level often contain coursework on specialised topics. These include children and family therapy, law for social work practice, and social services for older adults.

Many programmes at the bachelor's and master's levels also include field experience, where you work under the supervision of a social worker in a real-world setting. This practical component allows you to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom whilst building valuable experience for your CV.

Jobs in social work: What you can do with your degree

A career in social work can empower people from all walks of life to make a difference, particularly in underserved communities. Consider some social work careers you qualify for based on your degree level.

Bachelor of Social Work jobs

Earning a bachelor's degree in social work from an approved programme can lead to several positions within the field. 

• Social workers support and assist various individuals and families to find the solutions and assistance necessary to live better lives. 

• Probation officers manage offenders' needs and security to ensure a smooth transition from prison to the community. 

• Counsellors help people better cope with problems and struggles by providing support and guidance. 

• Social work assistants guide and aid people experiencing various struggles, including home visits, creating a care plan, or meeting with other healthcare professionals. 

• Family support workers specialise in providing varying means of support to families and children experiencing difficulties.

Master of Social Work jobs

With a master’s degree, you can work in a specialised niche, focusing on specific settings or populations within the voluntary, statutory, and private sectors. Alternatively, you could pursue more advanced managerial roles in social work. Consider these roles that typically require postgraduate qualifications like a master’s degree in social work: 

• Cognitive behavioural therapists (CBT) help people with conditions such as depression or anxiety through talk therapy. 

• Social services managers coordinate and plan social care support, manage a team of social workers, monitor service provision, and adjust service deliveries as needed. 

• Senior policy officers in social services analyse data to find ways to improve certain aspects of policies within communities, depending on the type of sector.

• Social work lecturers teach on the topics of social work at universities and higher education colleges. 

• Senior practitioners, or senior social workers, supervise and lead teams of other social workers. 

• Team managers support, develop, and lead teams of social workers who work primarily with families and children. 

Types of social work 

Social workers work with various populations, communities, and groups. In many cases, the type of social work you do depends on where you work. Many social workers also specialise in specific types of social work whilst earning educational credentials—like degrees. Some of the kinds of social work where you may find employment include: 

• Substance abuse

• Elderly and ageing 

• Physical disabilities

• Young offenders

• Homeless 

• Mental health 

• Children and families 

How to choose a social work degree programme

Ensuring the programme you’re considering aligns with your long-term career goals is step number one. Beyond that, it’s essential to make sure the programme is accredited, and the course includes a field experience or career placement opportunity. Consider additional factors, like cost, to ensure you choose an ideal social work degree programme for your individual needs. 

• Accreditation: It’s critical that one of the four UK regulating bodies—Social Work England, Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), Social Care Wales, or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)—approves of or accredits your chosen course. 

• Curriculum and specialisations: Whilst various universities’ core classes will likely share similarities, look for a programme that offers electives or specialisations in your areas of interest.

• Field education opportunities: Most degree programmes require placements, but opportunities will vary based on location and the types of organisations in the community. Choose programmes with work experience opportunities that align with your career goals.

• Cost: Tuition is only part of the cost equation. Also, consider the cost of living or commuting, plus the availability of work opportunities.

On-campus vs online social work degrees

Many universities offer social work degrees with on-campus courses. A few universities offer distance learning programmes that offer online and in-person learning. To enroll in part-time distance learning programmes, you will likely need prior experience in social work. 

More traditional on-campus courses give you access to university facilities and amenities. This setting provides more face-to-face interaction with professors and other social work students. Remember that class schedules tend to be fixed, which might be challenging for working learners, raising a family, or managing other commitments. 

Distance learning programmes come with numerous benefits, including greater flexibility. Such courses are often designed to be self-paced, so you can learn on your own time, making it easier to manage your other responsibilities. Since many distance learning degrees often tend to be more affordable than full-time in-person degree programmes, you may find that you save money on both tuition and transportation. 

Build social work skills and knowledge with Coursera

Earning a degree in social work can lead to a rewarding and promising career. Online courses are just one way to launch a career in social work. If you’re interested in becoming a social worker, or another role within the field of social work, an online course can act as a great starting point. 

Learn more about social work with an introductory class, like the globally available Social Work Practice from the University of Michigan. You'll also find online degrees in related areas like Public Health and Global Public Health available through Coursera. Each programme offers more flexibility so you can fit learning into your schedule rather than work around your education.

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