Social Work

Social work is a profession rooted in the belief that every person has the right to live with dignity, safety, and the support they need to realise their potential. Social workers work with some of the most vulnerable people in society, including children and families experiencing abuse or neglect, adults with disabilities or mental health conditions, older people, and people in crisis. The role requires a combination of legal knowledge, psychological insight, communication skill, and ethical commitment, and it is one that carries significant professional responsibility.

At the University of Portsmouth, this BSc (Hons) Social Work is approved by Social Work England, the professional regulator, and is delivered by passionate industry experts with many years of experience in the field. You will study child development, mental health, law and social policy, research methods, and social work theory, developing the knowledge base needed for professional practice. Practice placements are central to the programme, giving you supervised experience in real social work settings throughout the degree.

The programme includes a year abroad and runs over three years full-time.

Graduation and registration with Social Work England opens a career as a qualified social worker, working in local authority children's services, adult social care, the NHS, mental health services, probation, and the voluntary sector. Social work offers clear pathways to specialisation in areas such as child protection, mental health, substance misuse, and disability services, as well as to management, policy, and academic roles. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in social work, social policy, or related disciplines to develop more specialised practice or research expertise.