Social Work

Group of professional people in seminar room

Introduction

For over 50 years, social work at Lancaster has been at the forefront of education, research and policy development. We work tirelessly to empower individuals and communities through outstanding professional education and globally leading research and advocacy. We deliver high-quality professional education for undergraduates (BA Social Work) and offer bespoke supervision for doctoral students, post-doctoral students and fellows. We are also home to the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research, which hosts an annual programme of events and serves as a meeting place for students, international visitors, policy makers and practitioners.

Social Work is a dynamic, values-led academic discipline, grounded in a deep commitment to social justice and human rights. Our BA Social Work programme qualifies you to work as a professional social worker and is accredited by Social Work England (SWE). You will develop the essential skills and experience required, to take up employment with local authorities, charities or within the third sector. Students also go onto careers in local and national government, or find employment with international organisations.

We welcome international students who wish to join our BA programme. The BA qualification is recognised in several international contexts, subject to local qualifications assessment or an equivalence process. International students wishing to join our BA qualifying programme, but who do not meet our entry requirements, can gain access by successful completion of the University’s International Foundation in Social Sciences and Humanities. This pathway programme is delivered via our International Study Centre.

We have an outstanding record of supporting successful PhD students, and through the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research, as well as the wider School of Social Sciences, offer an excellent interdisciplinary community experience for national and international postgraduate researchers. We welcome graduate applications, including from: practitioners, policy colleagues, advocates, individuals with lived experience including prospective students seeking sanctuary and/or are displaced by war and conflict. We will be pleased to support you to apply for scholarship funding from a range of funders, for example, ESRC, NIHR, MRC, Leverhulme and EPSRC.

Study

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A welcoming and diverse community

We welcome students from diverse backgrounds, including students with experience of social work in their own lives, who may also be care leavers or refugees. We are committed to fair access to higher education and take a flexible and holistic approach to all our applicants.

Research Spotlight: Come to us in a peaceful way: Improving experiences of Roma families with Children's Services in England

This is a collaborative research project led by Lancaster University, Anglia Ruskin University, and Law for Life. It explores the experiences of Roma families involved with children’s services in England, highlighting how systemic barriers, such as institutional discrimination and limited legal knowledge, impact access to support. Through interviews, community engagement, and policy analysis, the study offers vital insights for developing more inclusive, culturally competent social work practices.

Social Work resources

For more information on our placements, funding and research, please follow the attached link

Resources