The Open University - Undergraduate Virtual Open Day
16 Jun 2026, 18:00
Milton Keynes
Social workers support and protect some of society’s most deprived and vulnerable people. It’s immensely challenging and rewarding work, requiring a high level of motivation and commitment. Our BA (Honours) Social Work (Northern Ireland) is approved by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), and successful completion entitles you to apply for registration as a social worker. As part of this work-based programme, you’ll need to have current experience working in a social work/care capacity, and you'll also need the sponsorship of a relevant social work/care employer throughout your degree.
Key features of the course
Continue in your employment while you study, earning while you learn
Study through work-based and distance learning
Develop the knowledge and practical skills that underpin effective practice
Improve your career progression and opportunities within social work
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits. You’ll start Stage 1 with a module introducing health and social care, followed by a module that introduces social work practice, the key roles, standards of conduct and communication skills for social workers. Stage 2 starts with a module covering the law and social work and is followed by a practice module which includes an 85-day placement. At Stage 3, you’ll choose one module from a choice of four options, and conclude your degree with a practice module where you will undertake a 100-day placement.
To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.
The following entry points are available for this course:
This degree is restricted to students who are being sponsored in their practice by their employing agency.
To study this degree, you must also:
Entry to the degree must be through your employing agency; you cannot apply direct to the OU. If you volunteer with a social care agency, they may be able to sponsor you on to the programme, but they must be a designated site for providing social work placements.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.
Course optionsNo fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
2026/2027 academic year fees are not yet available.
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