BSc (Hons) Social Work
Key facts
UCAS code/course code: L504
Qualification/level: BSc (Hons)
Duration: Full-time three years
Start date: September
Location: High Wycombe Campus
Course description
The course incorporates the recognised qualification leading to registration as a qualified social worker. Teaching and learning on the course is varied and interactive, including seminars, workshops, lectures and group work. The knowledge, skills and values needed to be an effective and reflective social worker are learned, practised and discussed both on campus and in practice.
We ensure that teaching is relevant and up-to-date by including input from people who use social work services, and practicing social workers and managers. There are a range of assessment methods, including essays, exams, presentations, portfolios of work and a research dissertation.
The course is divided equally between class-based learning and practice placements, with students undertaking a total of 200 days in practice. In the first year students undertake 30 days in practice, 100 days in the second year and 70 in the final year.
Course structure and assessment
Each year of the course has the equivalent of eight modules of study, though some are double or triple to allow for extended periods in work-based learning. Each year also has a ‘theme’ running through all the learning.
Year one
In year one the theme is "The service users’ and carers’ perspectives. Students learn about how an individual develops within society, the world from that person’s viewpoint and what it means to be a professional. The practice placements focus on working alongside service users and carers and contexts of social work.
Year two
With the year two theme being ‘statutory work’, students receive a grounding in the legal framework, policies and professional standards governing social work. They also develop knowledge of the problems which can beset service users, the roles of other professionals and how to work with them, as well as the theory and process of social work. The practice placements are in statutory settings with a focus on accountability and balancing rights and protection.
- Social Work Processes & Law
- Inter-professional practice
- Service User Groups – double module
- Practice Learning 2 – quadruple module of 100 days, starting November
Year three
In year three the theme is ‘creativity’. Students have more scope to choose the type of practice placement they undertake, as well as their own topic for research. There is also the opportunity to go abroad to study the social work of other countries.
- Practice learning 3 – triple module of 70 days practice placement, starting September
- Practitioner Researcher
- Creative Professional Development
- Dissertation – double module
- International Social Work Studies
All social workers have to reach the standard of the European Computer Driving Licence by the end of their training. Opportunities to demonstrate these skills are integrated into teaching and academic assessments.
Assessments include essays, exams, problem-solving exercises, video work and practice.
Future opportunities
Qualified social workers practice in a wide range of settings in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors, including local authorities, hospitals, youth justice services and voluntary services for drug and alcohol users. There is a good choice of career options for suitably qualified people. Once qualified, social workers continue to undertake post qualifying training to enhance and develop their knowledge and skills.