General Social Care Council

Social work degree

In 2003, professional qualifying training for social workers in the United Kingdom changed to the social work degree.  In England, these are approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).  The diploma in social work (DipSW) and all other 'predecessor' social work qualifications continue to be recognised as valid social work qualifications.

The degree in social work is a professional social work qualification for social workers in all settings (residential, field, day, domiciliary, healthcare and education) and sectors (statutory, voluntary and private).

The learning process for achieving the required standard of proficiency is the curriculum for the degree, which includes the National Occupational Standards for social work, the Quality Assurance Agency’s benchmark statement for social work degrees and the requirements for social work training issued by the Department of Health.

Social work degrees may be at undergraduate or postgraduate level. 

A list of approved universities and colleges is available in this section, along with their contact details.  This list will show you which courses are approved by the GSCC.  You can contact the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), or get in touch directly with the university or college, to find out more about the course and how to apply.

Bursaries are available to social work students and are administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). If you have any queries about bursaries or student funding - for instance, if you wish to know whether you will be entitled to a bursary, or how to apply for one - then you should visit the NHSBSA website or calling them on 0845 6101122. Please note that students on employment based courses are not eligible for social work bursaries.