Year of entry
- 2026
UCAS code
- L500
Duration of study
- 3 years
Social Work - BA (Hons)
Course summary
Begin your journey to become a social worker making positive changes in people’s lives on Keele's Social Work BA. Support diverse groups of people of all ages, and promote human rights and social justice in a flexible, varied and challenging career in which you will learn to be autonomous so you can progress in your chosen field.
Why study Social Work at Keele University?
Social work England approved and all staff are registered social workers.
Excellent partnerships with placement providers, employers and service users and carers involved in work with students throughout the course
Develop knowledge and skills for a varied career in local, national and international settings
Staff members are scholarship and research active
State-of-the-art facilities including excellent simulation facilities as part of the excellent School of Medicine facilities
Course overview
Improving lives
Social work focuses on improving the lives and wellbeing of adults, children and families, and helping to protect the most vulnerable in society. You may have to make difficult decisions, sometimes when there are competing 'rights' and needs. You will work with a diverse range of individuals and groups to assist them through difficult circumstances. It could be helping them to address issues currently affecting their lives such as trauma, poverty or social disadvantage, organising specific support or making referrals to other services.
Preparing for a career as a social worker
Study social work at Keele to gain a solid grounding in this professional area of study and be supported in the development of key professional skills and values ready for your future career as a Social Worker. Our social work degree has been carefully designed to allow you to apply the course theory into a range of exciting, varied and specialist social work occupations in the UK and potentially internationally.
You will explore child, adult and family social work, and cover key elements of the profession including law, social policy, ethics and values, and the socio-economic contexts of social work. You will investigate the impact of inequality and the disadvantages in society around age, race and sexuality. You will examine anti-oppressive and non-discriminatory approaches in social work whilst developing your communication, assessment and decision making skills.
Social work at Keele is part of the Keele's highly rated School of Medicine, this provides you with a wealth of interprofessional and skills based learning opportunities. You will benefit from studying in an interdisciplinary environment learning alongside other health specialists such as nurses, occupational therapists, paramedic students GPs, paediatricians and psychiatrists.
Professional experience
We include 170 days of professional placement opportunities within the course, enabling you to put the theory you have learnt into practice. This is in addition to at least 30 University based skills days, some of which take place in our excellent simulation houses where a range of professional scenarios can be replicated to support your learning. You will engage with service users and carers throughout your studies in addition to your direct work with service users and carers on placement. This engagement helps you to develop your confidence, abilities and understanding of a social worker’s responsibilities. You will strengthen your practical knowledge through course activities to ensure you are well prepared for your social work placements. You will be encouraged to adopt reflective practice techniques to enable you to evaluate your progress and inform your future work.
Our expertise
Members of our teaching staff are professionally qualified and experienced social workers who are registered with Social Work England or with the appropriate regulatory body for their current location. We also have staff who are active researchers in the the areas of social work practice, social work education and related fields, with work published in academic journals, monographs and books. Some staff also review for academic publications by other authors and some also sit on the editorial boards for respected international journals.
West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership (WMSWTP)
We are a member of the WMSWTP which aims to strengthen the quality of education and training for social work students and qualified practitioners. It seeks to ensure teaching excellence and that what you learn is contemporary and reflects the needs of children, adults and families.
Strengthening your employability
Placements
We have excellent relationships with our partners who provide us with placement opportunities. These include local authorities in the West Midlands and Staffordshire, and voluntary sector organisations.
In year one you will spend two to three days shadowing social work professionals and will complete skills development workshops to demonstrate your readiness for practice. Throughout the programme you will undertake a total of 170 days of practice learning in at least two settings. One of these will be in a service gaining important experience of statutory interventions such as within a local authority children and families department or in hospital social work teams. This will ensure you are ready to apply for jobs upon graduation in any social work setting.
Before the first assessed placement, you will complete a written profile of your own study needs and begin to compile information relevant to your placement setting and service user group. This portfolio will be used in the pre-placement meeting between you, a tutor from the university and practice educator to develop a placement agreement. Before embarking on your work assignment, you will also need demonstrate your readiness for direct practice and will be supported to develop a range of skills and professional attributes. You will also need to maintain your own professional suitability and fitness to practise throughout the course.
Student support
Robust support is available to you during every stage of your programme. Academic mentors on the course are able to provide advice and guidance as well as reviewing your progress and where appropriate, identifying and dealing with areas of concern. We have recently further improved tutorial support so that it closely mirrors professional practice through the addition of small group tutorials to existing one-to-one support. This ensures that you have both one to one and small group support alongside professional development opportunities throughout the course
A Student Experience and Support team is based within our Faculty with a member of the team dedicated to the School of Medicine. As part of Student Services, they work closely with various teams across Keele so you can easily access the help you need.
Extra assistance is available from the School's Disability Inclusion Tutor who provides an additional layer of support for all students, particularly for those who have additional learning needs.
You will have access to a mixture of advice and support services at Keele which include;
- Learning Support and Academic Guidance
- Disability Support and Inclusion
- English Language Unit
- Student Advice at Keele (ASK)
- Student Support Services
- Occupational Health Department
Social Work England
Our programme is regulated by Social Work England. When you successfully complete this course, you will be eligible to apply to join their register as a qualified social worker.
Course structure
Modules for Social Work
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are subject to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Modules for Social Work
Our courses are designed to develop the skills, experience and expertise you'll need to succeed in your chosen career, informed by the latest research, teaching methods, student feedback, and employer insights. Module details are representative of what we intend to deliver on the course, but may change to reflect best practice and academic development. This information should therefore not be considered a definitive list of available modules.
Introduction to Professional Learning and Development
Semester one of this module will support your transition into professional learning at university. Whilst exploring concepts that are core to social work practice, such as ‘identity’ and ‘othering’, you will also develop confidence in academic writing and referencing expectations. In the second semester, the module introduces you to core skills required within social work, from initial communication and engagement skills through assessments, interventions and endings. You will work with members of our service user and carer group to develop your skills.
Social Justice, Ethics and Values
Within this module, you will examine issues of inequalities within contemporary society and how these are relevant for understanding social work values and ethics. You will explore different philosophical traditions within ethics, as they apply to social work. In the second semester, you will build upon this by considering different forms of social action and change and its relevance within social work and will design a small scale project with the support of staff, aligned to an issue that matters to you.
Life Course Development
Within this module, you will consider a range of different approaches to understanding human development. This will include psychological and sociological approaches alongside more biological approaches and the inter-connections between these. In addition, you will consider how socio-economic contexts and adverse experiences can impact upon individual and community experiences of the life course.
Introduction to Law, Policy and Safeguarding
This module introduces you to some of the key principles and concepts that underpin the legal framework and systems within which social work is practised. You will consider the nature of the English legal system and the various roles social workers may have within this. You will also learn about specific areas of law for different social work specialisms, including child protection, children in need of support, adult safeguarding, mental health and mental capacity work.
Social work Practice Placement One: Practice, Theory and Methods
Within this module, you will complete a 70-day placement in a social work organisation. With supervision and support, you will work directly with service users providing a range of interventions and learning about the placement organisation and broader context of social work services. Before and during placement, you will have academic learning about different theories and methods used in social work practice.
Children and Families Social Work
This module builds upon your first year modules to explore in more depth the nature of social work with children and families. You will learn about some of the approaches, policy frameworks and practice dilemmas associated with this area of practice, and will develop your skills in relation to these through engagement with carefully planned immersive learning sessions, as well as more theoretical taught sessions.
Social Work with Adults
In this module, you will learn about the key policy and practice issues and priorities in relation to social work in a range of adult services contexts. Learning from academic staff, service users and carers and also from practitioners, you will develop your understanding and confidence in relation to this area of specialism within social work.
Understanding Contemporary Society: Key Concepts
This module runs after your first placement and will support you to understand some of the key issues that are relevant for a broad understanding of contemporary society and therefore the contexts of social work practice. You may be exploring knife or gang crime and exploitation, or other current issues, but always with the aim being to understand the significance of these for informed and effective social work practice.
Research Mindedness
Introducing you to research methods and approaches, and the importance of being ‘research minded’ within professional practice. You will consider the main forms of research and their strengths and weaknesses as well as the philosophical underpinnings of these. You will then examine one approach in more depth in relation to a chosen area of focus for your assignment. This module prepares you for your final year research project as well as for a career-long focus upon research informed social work practice.
Authority, Leadership and Partnership in Social Work
Running at the start of the final year of your degree, this module will introduce you to theories and models of leadership and to the notion of professional authority. You will consider your own authority, and how personal and professional authority may intersect, and appropriate use of authority and power in professional practice, whilst encouraging a partnership approach.
Research for Social Work: Individual Project
This module runs throughout the final year and builds upon your exploration of research approaches within the second year module, research mindedness. You will plan and carry out a piece of secondary research (a literature review) on a topic that reflects your interests, with supervision and guidance from an experienced member of the staff team. You will become an expert on the published literature on this specialist topic and this prepares you well for interviews for jobs as a social worker as well as for any future study.
Contemporary Social Work Practice: Issues and Approaches
Contemporary Social Work Practice focusses upon the main current issues and dilemmas affecting social work. You will learn from practitioners and leaders of social work practice teams as well as academic staff so that you more fully understand the current practice priorities, challenges and opportunities. This also helps prepare you for your professional practice beyond the degree whilst also supporting your preparation for your final placement.
Social Work Practice Placement two: Practice, Ethics and Critical approaches
You will complete 100-day placement within this module, and it will be one which enables you to experience statutory roles. You will be supported by university staff and supervisors on your placement to develop your confidence and knowledge of this area of practice and the skills needed to reach the professional standards required prior to qualification. You will return to the university at least once a month for group tutorial support and taught content on more advanced ethical theories and issues relevant to the social work context.
"The course layout and placement opportunities were the main reasons why I chose to study at Keele, as they allow for me to develop my skills whilst being supported by the University."
Double Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework
Keele is one of only 15 broad-based universities in England - out of over 100 - to have been awarded Gold in both the 2017 and 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) exercises, demonstrating our consistent teaching excellence.
Additional opportunities
There are a range of additional opportunities for this course.
Please note that undertaking one may impact the availability of another.
Entry requirements
These are the typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If your qualifications aren't listed, please contact us to check if we can accept them. If you don't think you'll meet the stated requirements, you may be able to access this course via a Foundation Year.
Typical offer
Please ensure you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and/or English language requirements.
Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
A Level
BBC in three A Levels.
Contextual Offer: CCC in three A Levels.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma
DMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.
Contextual Offer: MMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC National Diploma / Diploma
Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and C in one A Level, or Merit and Merit in BTEC Diploma and A in one A Level.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma
Distinction in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and CC in two A Levels, or Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BB in two A Levels.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
T Level
Merit in any T Level.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
International Baccalaureate Diploma
554 in three Higher Levels or 29 points.
Contextual Offer: 444 in three Higher Levels or 27 points.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, or 3 in IB Middle Years Maths, or 3 in IB Diploma Standard Level Maths (any), plus an English language qualification (see below).
International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme
We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.
If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
Access to HE Diploma
112 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 15 Level 3 credits.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru
The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.
Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers
BCCCC in five Highers, or CD in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCD in three Advanced Highers.
You will also need: C in National 5 Maths, or 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.
Core Maths
If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.
Ireland - Leaving Certificate
H3, H4, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate.
You will also need: O4 / H6 in Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
China - Gaokao
70% in the Gaokao.
You will also need: 60% in Senior Secondary School or Gaokao Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
India - Standard XII
Average of 65% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 70% from four subjects in any other Standard XII.
You will also need: 6 or C2 in Secondary School Examination Maths, or Pass in Standard XII Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Germany - Abitur
2.4 overall average in the Abitur.
You will also need: 10 in Maths in the Abitur, plus an English language qualification (see below).
France - Baccalaureate
12 in the French Baccalaureate / International Option Baccalaureate / Baccalauréat Français International.
You will also need: 10 in Maths in the Baccalaureate, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Hong Kong - Diploma
443 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE.
You will also need: 2 in HKDSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Spain - Bachillerato
Overall average of 7 in the Título de Bachillerato.
You will also need: 5 in Graduado en Educación Secundaria (GES) Maths or 6 in Título de Bachiller Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato
75% in the Esame di Stato.
You will also need: 5 in Maths in the Diploma, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Cyprus - Apolytirion
17.5 / 83% in the Apolytirion.
You will also need: 14 in Maths in the Apolytirion, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Portugal
Overall average of 15 in a Secondary Certificate.
You will also need: 10 in Secondary Certificate Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Canada - Diploma
60% / BCCCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma.
You will also need: 50% in Grade 11 Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Kenya - KCSE / Diploma
We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND
We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
USA - Advanced Placement
443 from three Advanced Placement subjects.
You will also need: C in Grade 12 High School Diploma Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Ghana
We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
Sri Lanka - Advanced Level
BBC in three Advanced Levels.
You will also need: C in O-Level Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Malaysia - STPM
BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM.
You will also need: C in SPM Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate
We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
Singapore - A Levels (H2)
BBC in three H2 Levels.
You will also need: C in O-Level Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
European Baccalaureate
70% overall.
You will also need: 6 in European Baccalaureate Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
NCUK
Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBC and a C in EAP English Language module and grade A in EAP for Nursing courses.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or international equivalent.
Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education
BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education.
You will also need: 6 in UACE or UCE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
South Africa
National Senior Certificate: 66655 in five subjects
You will also need: 4 in NSC Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE
BBC in three Advanced Level subjects.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Additional information
Under normal circumstances, students must be 18 years old when they commence the course, or by 1 October of the first Semester.
Health checks and DBS Clearance
Offers are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance. The University follows the DBS Code of Practice in these issues and can provide a copy of the Code on request.
Whilst there is not a formal health check completed by all candidates, prospective students are required to sign a Declaration of Suitability/Fitness to Practice for Social Work form. Depending on the information supplied by candidates, the programme director may seek clarification on any potential health concerns and this may also require further consultation with your GP or the university’s Occupational Health department.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview.
Admissions Tests/Institutions Own Test (IOT)
Candidates for the social work programme will be selected through a two-part process. Firstly, the candidate’s application form and personal statement will be assessed. As well as reaching the required academic standards, the candidate’s personal statement should demonstrate a clear understanding of social work and its values. If this is achieved, candidates will then proceed to part two of the process and be invited to a selection day, which will include a written task, a group discussion, and an individual interview with academic staff, a social work practitioner and a service user (in most cases). Candidates who successfully pass both parts of the selection process will then be offered a place. Candidates must also complete a written declaration of their suitability to undertake social work training in respect of health status, criminal convictions and other matters.
English language requirements
All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students. For students who require a test, this course requires a result from Group A.
Alternative and contextual offers
We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications.
General information
The entry grades outlined indicate the typical offer, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary conditions based upon a candidate's application.
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"Keele has smaller group sizes, a beautiful campus and the staff are friendly and helpful. If you have a problem, even if it is not university related, you can turn up at their office door, they are happy to help."
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2026/27 academic year
- UK: Fees for the 2026/27 academic year are subject to Parliamentary approval and have not yet been confirmed.
- International: Band 1, £18,200 for the 2026/27 academic year
For Home students, the University's fees are regulated by the UK Government and may be subject to change in subsequent years of your course in-line with government policy or legal requirements. For continuing international students, fees will increase annually by RPI, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
For details of our international fee bands visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page.
Eligible social work students can apply for one of a limited number of bursaries (grants) provided by the NHS Social Work Bursary fund. Further details can be found on the NHS Social Work students webpage.
Going to university can be daunting as well as exciting. It's important to understand the costs and financial support available.
Our Student Financial Support team offers confidential advice and guidance to help you manage your money, resolve issues with Student Finance, create a budget, explore your options if you're facing financial hardship, and access any funding you are eligible for, such as bursaries and scholarships.
For more information visit our undergraduate fees and funding pages.
Your future career
There are a range of social work career opportunities open to you once you qualify. You will be able to apply your knowledge and expertise acquired on the course to work for a local authority, the NHS or in the voluntary sector. You could undertake employment based, or employer sponsored further training or specialise in areas like child protection or mental health. Alternatively, you could use your academic and placement learning in a range of other settings such as in support or project worker roles, in management and leadership roles or undertake additional training to work as a qualified counsellor or complete further study.
Enhance your employability
Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.
From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.
Teaching, learning and assessment
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods on this programme including;
- Lectures - these provide a framework for reading and independent study, and summaries of current social work knowledge. Some guest speakers with professional social work experience or of using social work services. Occasional specialist workshops.
- Interactive learning - learn through group exercises, role play and simulation exercises, and discussions.
- Independent study.
- Skills Workshops - the opportunity to develop your basic and advanced social work skills. Organised and delivered by members of the academic staff, registered social workers, practice educators and people who use services.
- Practice Placement - 170 days of the programme are devoted to supervised practice in a range of social work and health and social care agencies.
- Final year project - a piece of independent research for final year students to integrate academic knowledge about social work with an understanding of professional practice.
- E-Learning - using the Keele Learning Environment (KLE). The KLE is an online learning environment used to give students easy access to a wide range of resources and research tools, and as a platform for online discussions, quizzes, announcements and blogs.
There are regular opportunities to talk through areas of your course with your academic mentor or lecturers on a one-to-one basis.
Assessment
To evaluate your progress we use different assessment techniques. You will receive regular, constructive feedback to help you clarify things you did not understand and to improve your performance. Assessment methods include;
- Examinations
- Essays
- Research design projects, data analysis and short research papers
- Oral presentations, poster presentations and reports
- Practice reflection
- Portfolios
Studying Social Work at Keele
Foundation year
Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete.
This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education.
On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.
The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.
Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.
This Foundation Year is a is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BA (Hons) Social Work. For example, in the Academic and Professional Development for Health module you will begin to develop an awareness of professional standards that you will be working to in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.
You will gain a greater appreciation of historical and contemporary approaches to health and social care within the UK, considering key health issues and challenges facing health and science services. We will develop your understanding of the concept of social inclusion, the factors that lead to exclusion and the impact this may have on individuals, families and communities. At the same time, you will develop academic and professional standards, attributes, knowledge, skills and values, both as a current learner and future healthcare worker.
You will develop subject-specific and broad based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, including information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting our homepage.
Course structure
The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.
Semester one modules
| FYO-00273 | Foundations of Law | 15 credits |
| FYO-00201 | Foundations of Psychology | 15 credits |
| FYO-00263 | Foundations of Social Sciences 1 | 15 credits |
Semester two modules
| FYO-00269 | Advancing Social Sciences | 30 credits |
| FYO-00245 | Foundations in Health and Society | 15 credits |
Year long modules (semesters one and two)
| FYO-00181 | Academic and Professional Development | 30 credits |
Entry requirements
Whether you have non-traditional qualifications, want to change your subjects, have had a break from education and wish to return or want a change of career – the foundation years at Keele provide an opportunity for those with diverse backgrounds to access an honours degree.
- 40 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification (such as an A level, BTEC, Access Course, or T level)
- Plus C in GCSE English / Level 2 Functional Skills English and C in GCSE Maths / Level 2 Functional Skills Maths
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.
How to apply
UCAS Applications
Visit UCAS for applications. You should apply for Social Work with Foundation Year
UCAS code: L502
Direct entry students
If you are already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.
The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.
We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health and Business courses.
Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.
In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.
Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but on a compressed timescale and tailored to a blended learning approach (with the majority of learning taking place online).
For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.
Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.
Student life at Keele is vibrant, diverse, and packed with opportunities to make the most of your time at university.
We help students manage their money and ensure that they receive any funding for which they may be eligible.
Make yourself more employable after graduation by taking advantage of the whole host of additional opportunities.
