Social work education in England
Data correct as at 2021/22
Next update due: to be confirmed – 2022/23 HESA data publication date has been delayed
Find details of the HESA release schedule.
This page presents information on social work higher education in England, making use of data from HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) to describe and discuss the current trends in social work education. The findings are based on data as at 2021/22.
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Key findings
- 5,580 students enrolled onto social work courses in 2021/22. The number of enrolments has decreased by 2% in the last academic year.
- Postgraduate enrolments (making up 46% of enrolments) increased by 6% in 2021/22.
- Undergraduate enrolments (making up 54% of enrolments) decreased by 8% in 2021/22.
- In 2021/22 there were 4,430 leavers from social work courses. Of these leavers, 3,860 (87%) achieved a qualification. This is a decrease of 1 percentage point from the previous academic year.
- The number of qualifying graduates has decreased by 18% from 4,700 in 2012/13 to 3,860 in 2021/22.
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