BA (Hons) Social Work (Full Time)

Study social work on one of the country's leading degree courses which can lead to a variety of careers in the field.

Course overview

Taught by an experienced teaching team, we have a history of delivering social work training with creativity and flair.

This course leads to a newly developed professional and academic qualification.
It has a strong practice element - underpinned by academic theory - built on longstanding relationships with local employers, service users and carers. At the end of this stimulating course, you'll have developed the skills values and knowledge needed to contribute to the lives of vulnerable people through a rewarding career in social work.

The course is suitable both for those with little or no social work-related experience, and for more experienced individuals. Students have the option to study full-time for three years, or for four years on the employment-based route open to those who are fully seconded by their employers. 

Industrial focus

You will complete two significant periods of work experience during two practice placements at local authorities or voluntary, private and independent organisations in the region. 

|

Course content

The course consists of university-based study and 200 days of work placement (100 days in practice settings in Year 2 and 100 days in practice setting in Year 3).

For the employment-based route, attendance is one day per week for the first two years, during which students complete Year 1. After that, attendance follows the same pattern as the full-time route.

Year 1

Six core units:

• Issues in Communication
• Sociology, Society and Social Work 1
• Sociology, Society and Social Work 2
• Human Growth through the Life course
• Introduction to Law for Social Work
• Preparation for Practice - which includes five days shadowing a professional worker  who undertakes a social work role and tasks. 

Year 2

Four core units including practice placement:

• Social Work: Forming Partnerships and Working with Others
• Developing Legal Perspectives
• Social Work Methods and Investigations
• Developing Professional Competence in Practice, which is a 100 day practice placement. 

Year 3

By the end of Year 3 students must have demonstrated competence as required by the National Occupational Standards for Social Work (NOS), and the QAA Benchmark Statement for Social Work.
Four core units and one option unit:

• Extending Professional Competence in Practice
• Research and Social Work
• Risk, Responsibility and Resolution
• Practice placement for 100 days.

Options:

• Social Work with Adults
• Social Work with Children and Families. 

Why choose this course?

• Accredited by The General Social Care Council (GSCC), the body that approves Social Work qualifications.
• Recently listed as one of the top degree courses in the country by the GSCC.
• A wide variety of practice learning positions are available at local authorities and voluntary, private and independent organisations in the region.
• A non means-tested bursary is available from the GSCC for students who are not funded by their employers.
• The wide age range and the opportunities for discussion and experiential learning ensure that the study environment is lively and stimulating. 

Assesment

Based on a series of assignments, presentations, case studies, projects and portfolios used to test all elements of the course. There is one exam in the Law and Social Work unit at Level 1.

Key career skills

Interpersonal communication, management and leadership, teamwork, presentation.

Projects/work experience

The University has partnership arrangements for the practice learning placements with four local authorities (Southampton City, Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight) as well as many other social care organisations.

Student profile

Wendy Hewland

“My social work training prepared me for my job in an adults community team where I have been working since qualifying as a social worker three years ago. The course helped me to develop vital skills and gave me the desire to achieve ongoing professional development and a high standard of practice and competence that is underpinned by core social work values and theories which serves to secure the best possible outcomes for my clients and their carers and families.”