If you love working with people and want to make a real difference, social work could be for you.
What's on this page?
This is a challenging but rewarding career where you’ll work with children and adults in need, helping with everything from mental health to emotional challenges, to financial aid.
During your studies you’ll combine elements of sociology, psychology, law, care, and other skills that will prepare you for a role where you have to react quickly but compassionately.
There are opportunities for social work graduates – jobs are expected to grow by 1.92% over the next eight years. You could go on to specialise in one area of social work, move into management or training, or decide to study for a master’s or PhD.
The impact you could make
- Safeguard a vulnerable child from harm and abuse.
- Organise a package of support to help an adult with learning disabilities live independently.
- Design and deliver training for student social workers.
What you could study
- Understanding social work
- Communication and relationship building skills
- Diversity, ethics, and values
- Law and social work
- Sociology for social work
- Work placements
- Safeguarding children and adults
- Managing risk and complexity in social work
Chat to current social work, childhood, and youth studies students
Chat to current social work, childhood, and youth studies students using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:
- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
Chat to students powered by 
Example module
“I prefer the quite hard-hitting stuff. Not everyone is cut out for it and it can be quite upsetting at times, but that is where you can make the most difference.”
Master's student in social work, Glasgow Caledonian University
Example assignment
“I enjoyed human growth and development, as it looked at the psychology and social construction of society.”
Second year social work student, Coventry University
Health and social care
Psychology
Sociology
Law
Hard skills you'll develop
- Social work
- Mental health
- Child protection
- Learning disabilities
- Risk analysis
Soft skills you'll develop
- Communication
- Management
- Planning
- Resilience
- Empathy
Available jobs
82,806 vacancies in the past year
1.92% growth over next eight years
Average salary
£35,948
Up to £50,952
What is a… life coach?
You may not have heard of a life coach, but they work with usually adults or teenagers, offering one-to-one conversations and guidance. Life coaches aim to help a client figure out their personal strengths and any areas they want to work on in their professional or personal life. You could work for corporations, or work with clients independently. Your social work skills around good listening, empathy, and understanding psychology will be put to good use in this type of role.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study social work, childhood and youth studies at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from social work, childhood and youth studies applicants.
A levels
BBC
Scottish Highers
BBBBB
Vocational
BTEC DDD
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or an SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
[Social work] is a challenging career for sure, needing emotional bandwidth. But no day is ever the same, and a single week can take you into schools, hospitals, courts or prisons, and you can specialise in anything from children’s mental health to palliative care. Helping vulnerable children and young people to reach their full potential in life is a true privilege, and in this career, you can be part of that transformation.
Other subjects you may be interested in
- Anthropology
- Counselling, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy
- Health
- Nursing
- Paramedic science
- Physiotherapy, physiology and pathology
- Psychology
- Sociology
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Find out more
Read our guide to care services apprenticeships.
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British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
Follow the BASW on YouTube to understand more about the industry and the kinds of things you’ll need to be aware of as a social worker. -
The Dumping Ground
Watch some of this light-hearted CBBC TV series set in a children’s care home. It gives an idea of some of the challenges children in care face, and some of the roles adult social and care workers play. -
Community Care
Scroll through this website for research and articles on social work practice, law, and policy. -
Channel 4 series ‘Kids’
Follow real-life children’s care services and get a real insight in this Channel 4 series. It contains some strong language and is only suitable if you're aged 16+.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- Illustrate when you’ve had to be resilient and/or make tough decisions. Maybe you’ve failed a driving test, had to resit some exams, or adjust to a change in your school or home environment.
- Talk about what inspires you about social work, and that you have the determination and dedication needed. When else have you seen something challenging through to completion?
- Show your care and compassion. Maybe you already volunteer at a care home, youth club or charity, or maybe you mentor younger students at school.
- If you don’t have work experience with vulnerable people, mention other part-time jobs or volunteering. Do you teach a drama group or help at an after-school club? Even working in a restaurant requires patience and interpersonal skills.
- Mention your hobbies or interests too. Show what makes you a well-rounded person, such as how you unwind by crafting, swimming, or football.
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