Social Work

Social work is a profession grounded in a commitment to social justice, human rights, and the dignity of every person, working with individuals, families, and communities who are experiencing crisis, vulnerability, or disadvantage. It requires a combination of interpersonal skill and emotional intelligence, rigorous professional knowledge, and the ability to navigate complex legal, organisational, and ethical contexts. Social workers work with children at risk of harm, adults in mental health crisis, older people needing care and support, people with disabilities, families in poverty, and communities facing systemic inequality.

At Goldsmiths, this four-year programme includes an integrated foundation year, providing a supported introduction to the discipline's academic and practical demands before you progress into the main degree. Goldsmiths has a distinctive culture that is particularly attentive to questions of power, inequality, identity, and social justice, and these themes run through the social work curriculum in a way that challenges students to think critically about the contexts in which they will practise. You will study human development across the lifespan, the sociology of welfare and inequality, social work law, safeguarding, communication and assessment skills, and the ethical frameworks that guide professional practice.

Substantial supervised practice placements are integral to the degree, as social work qualification requires a significant number of assessed days in practice settings. A typical entry tariff of 120 points is required.

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England, which is the legal requirement for practising as a social worker in England. Career paths span children's services, adult social care, mental health services, youth justice, and the voluntary sector. Social workers can progress into senior practitioner, team manager, advanced practitioner, and service leadership roles.

Many continue to postgraduate study in specialist practice areas or social work research.