BSc (Hons) Social Work

• GCSE: For all applicants, a minimum of 5 subjects at grade C or above, or Grade 4 under newly reformed GCSE grading, to include English Language and Mathematics, or equivalent. Please note the University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.
• A-level subjects: Sociology, Psychology, Law or Social Science subjects preferred. Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken on to full A-Level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-Levels.
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
• Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; to include 30 level 3 credits at merit.
• Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.

English Language Requirement:

• Applicants whose first language is not English must meet communicating and comprehension skills to International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) at Level 7.

Year one

These modules will ask you to reflect on what you bring to the course, how this informs the way you engage with others, and the issues you should be alert to when meeting people as a Social Worker; psychological and sociological theories for understanding individuals, families, groups and communities;  law and policy; and how the legal, social and organisational context of social work shapes what Social Workers do. There will be opportunities to 'shadow' Social Workers and you will be asked to explore how understanding the communities in which people live can inform effective social work practice.

• Skills for Relationship-Based Practice
• Perspectives on the Life Course
• Social Policy and Law for Social Work
• Developing Professional Social Work Practice

Year two 

These modules will start the year and develop your understanding of how psychosocial theory and research can inform your practice, and your knowledge and specialist skills for working in a range of practice settings. Later, there will be 70 days of practice learning in one of the many voluntary and statutory sector agencies with which the course has links.  Linked to this you will consider how different professions can work together to provide better services. University teaching will run alongside this placement.

• Theory and Research for Social Work Practice
• Engagement, Empowerment and Intervention
• Law and Knowledge for Social Work
• Service Improvement: A Collaborative Approach
• Reflective Practice in Social Work

Final year

You will firstly undertake a short intensive module to develop your understanding of law, policy and procedure in situations of harm and risk. This is followed by a practice placement of 100 days.

• Protection and Risk in Social Work
• Critical Reflective Practice in Social Work 1
• Critical Reflective Practice in Social Work 2
• Dissertation

Plus one of the following optional modules:

• Social Work with Adults at Risk
• Social Work with Children and Young People
• Working to Strengthen Communities

A key theme in the course's approach is learning about best practice including:

• how to think critically and creatively in complex situations
• understanding how law, policies, theories, research and other evidence inform practice
• exploring value conflicts and dilemmas
• skills development for empowering practice
• inter-professional working