The demand for qualified social workers in the UK has increased, leading many universities to offer flexible online social work degrees. Below is a list of the top universities providing online or hybrid social work programs, along with insights into their history, fees, and contact details.
1. The Open University (OU)
History: Established in 1969, the OU is renowned for its part-time and distance learning programs, serving over 2 million students globally.
Program: Social Work BA (Hons)
Fees: £3,462 per 60 credits
Website: OU Social Work
Contact: +44 (0)1908 274066
2. University of Edinburgh
History: Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s oldest universities and offers a comprehensive social work program.
Program: MSW (Online)
Fees: £5,000 per module
Website: University of Edinburgh
Contact: +44 (0)131 650 1000
3. University of York
History: Established in 1963, the University of York has gained a strong reputation for its research in social sciences.
Program: MA Social Work (Flexible Learning)
Fees: £9,290 per year
Website: York University
Contact: +44 (0)1904 320000
4. University of Birmingham
History: Founded in 1900, Birmingham was among the first civic universities and offers modern, professional courses in social care.
Program: Online Social Work MSc
Fees: £10,980 total
Website: University of Birmingham
Contact: +44 (0)121 414 3344
5. University of West London
History: The University of West London (founded in 1860) is known for its practical focus on career-oriented education.
Program: BSc (Hons) Social Work
Fees: £9,250 per year
Website: UWL
Contact: +44 (0)20 8231 2468
6. University of Essex
History: Founded in 1964, Essex emphasizes innovation in education and has a strong focus on social policy research.
Program: MSc Social Work
Fees: £8,920 annually
Website: Essex University
Contact: +44 (0)1206 873333
7. Robert Gordon University (RGU)
History: With origins tracing back to 1750, RGU offers industry-relevant education, including social work programs.
Program: Social Work BA
Fees: £7,000 per year
Website: RGU
Contact: +44 (0)1224 262728
8. University of Dundee
History: Established in 1881, Dundee is known for research in public health and social services.
Program: MSc Social Work
Fees: £9,000 annually
Website: University of Dundee
Contact: +44 (0)1382 383000
9. University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
History: Originating in 1828, UCLan is committed to providing practical and accessible higher education.
Program: BA Social Work
Fees: £9,250 per year
Website: UCLan
Contact: +44 (0)1772 201201
10. University of South Wales (USW)
History: Formed in 2013 by merging several institutions, USW offers flexible online courses with industry relevance.
Program: MSc Social Work
Fees: £9,000 per year
Website: USW
Contact: +44 (0)1443 483000