About this course
Introduction
Social work: a demanding and rewarding task
Social workers usually become involved in people's lives at moments of stress and difficulty. In one way or another, their task is to help solve problems and bring about change. In seeking to do this they have the power to be of great help but also to cause harm. Examples of when things go wrong in social work are very well known, but much more often things go well. This programme aims to help you develop the knowledge, understanding and practical skills to work with service users, and others, so that things do go well.
Social work is a complex task which places high demands not only on your formal knowledge and practical understanding, but also on a capacity to deal with emotions in situations of stress, and to balance this with a clear understanding of the needs, rights, responsibilities and risks of everyone involved. The personal rewards of managing these challenges effectively can be high.
Why study Social Work at UWE?
Social work education has been offered at UWE for many years. UWE was one of the first universities to be accredited by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to offer the new degree in social work which has been running since 2003 and is now well established. The programme has been able to respond to large national and international developments in social work and seeks to prepare social workers who will be able to manage and contribute to changes in future.
The programme is delivered in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary social work organisations in the region. Users of social care services and carers are increasingly involved in the development and delivery of all aspects of it.
This programme is accredited by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) and is offered both full-time and part-time.
Student's view
'During the first year I worked part time in a social work team. It was difficult to balance both, however the experience I gained helped considerably in understanding the content, and definitely made the course more accessible as I could relate it to practice.'
Mel, Social Work student
Structure
Content
The Department of Health and Applied Social Science is at the forefront of interprofessional education and training, and social work students undertake modules with students from different health professions at Level 2 and Level 3 of the course.
All modules are compulsory at Levels 1 and 2. In their final year, students complete a dissertation and an optional module, as well an interprofessional module and practice placement. All teaching is planned for its contribution to developing skilled social workers.
The programme has been developed to accommodate and include the interests of students of widely differing background and experience.
The programme aims to:
- Listen to, respect and value service users and promote the expertise they bring to the development of both the programme and services.
- Prepare students to understand the contemporary policy and legal context and help them adhere to the code of conduct for social workers.
- Enable students to integrate communication, negotiation, advocacy, assessment, intervention for change and evaluation skills in order to achieve best practice.
- Develop research aware practitioners who are able to access a range of information and who are able to critically evaluate the evidence base of their practice and services provided.
- Enable students to analyse the contested nature of social work and to be able to contribute to the development of social work.
- Develop critically reflective, competent and professional social workers who are able to engage and work creatively and constructively with a diverse range of service users, other professionals and organisations.
- Enable students to work in multi-disciplinary settings and manage the complexities of risk.
The programme has a module structure. All modules are compulsory at Level 1 and 2. There are practice modules at all three levels. Level 3 includes a dissertation and a module from a list of options.
Full-time
Full-time students take Level 1 modules in the first year, Level 2 modules in the second year and Level 3 in the third.
There is no specific part-time route however there is flexibility to study part-time with the agreement from the programme leader.
Modules
Level 1
- Key Concepts for Social Work Practice
- Foundations in Psychology and Social Sciences
- Social Policy for Health and Social Care
- Legal and Policy Frameworks for Social Work
- Developing Skills for Social Work Practice
- Social Work Practice 1
Level 2
- Interprofessional Module
- Psycho-Social Studies for Social Work
- Refining Skills and Knowledge for Practice
- Social Work Practice 2
Level 3
- Interprofessional Module
- Dissertation
- A choice from: Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Issues in Child Protection or Enabling Service Users and Communities
- Social Work Practice 3
Teaching and learning
All teaching contributes to the development of skilled social workers. A range of teaching and learning methods is used including formal lectures, seminars, project work, enquiry-based and online learning, individual self-directed study and assignment preparation. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own and each other's experience in and outside the university to assist their learning and development.
Social Work teaching staff have a wide range of practice, research and teaching experience in health and social care. The Department of Health and Applied Social Sciences has established links with several universities and colleges in Germany, Italy, Norway, Finland and Greece. It is now part of a European thematic network linking 25 countries to further develop the understanding of the social work profession and its commonalities and differences.
Study time
Computer skills are vital for your academic studies and future employment. At the University of the West of England computing is an integral part of your programme/course - many lecturers make lecture notes and materials available via computers, and some modules will require you to use Information Technology (IT) to help you undertake and present your work. IT facilities are available on all campuses. At the main Frenchay Campus there is 24 hour access to computing facilities, and the Department offers to help and support throughout your course/programme.
Prior to commencing your programme of study you may find it helpful to familiarise yourself with some core IT skills:
- Basic word processing
- Storing and retrieving files
- Communicating via e-mail
- Searching the web for information, e.g. online shopping, booking a holiday, homework.
Assessment
Methods of assessment include written assignments, assessments under controlled conditions, presentations and evidence of competence in practice. Reflective diaries and progress files are likely to be an integral part of the programme.
Special Features
Placements
All students for the degree will spend at least 200 days learning in practice settings. Placements are arranged with a wide range of practice agencies in the region - social services, health and other statutory, voluntary and private agencies. These are spread across the three levels and are all supervised and assessed. Students will be required to show that they are developing the competencies identified in the National Occupational Standards for Social Work. It is sometimes possible to arrange for assessed practice learning to be undertaken in the student's own workplace and sometimes abroad. Students will be expected to be available for full working days on placement.
The practice modules form a compulsory part of your programme, and provide you with the unique opportunity to integrate theory and practice.
What is a placement?
A placement is a period of time within your programme that is to be spent in a practice setting. The type of placement you will go on will depend on your personal profile and on which module you are currently studying. The intention of placement practice is to build on the knowledge you gain at the University, to acquire or develop new knowledge and to apply it in the practice environment.
Attendance
Students enrol in late September and take part in a short induction programme before the programme starts in October. The academic year finishes in June (July at the end of Level 2), with breaks at Christmas and Easter. This is a full-time programme and though teaching may only take place for part of the week there is an expectation that students will make up the rest of the week with personal study.
Practice modules are as follows:
| Level 1 | 35 days - three days a week from March |
| Level 2 | 80 days in a block from March to July |
| Level 3 | 85 days in a block from September to February |
Placement Views
'Having a social work placement worked very well for Bristol Black Carers. The student was well supported by university staff and remained focused on their objectives. Having a clear learning plan and linked activities was very helpful in planning work; and the student even used her initiative and surprised us with extra work. The student was very hard working, helping with the development of the organisation by re-designing reporting mechanisms and procedures, assisting with completing risk assessments, sign posting and advocacy and running the young carers support group. All staff and service users benefited from the students energy and positive attitude and good relationships were forged'.
Cenzina, Young Carers Project Leader
'When I was given my first year placement at Bristol Young Black Carers, I wondered how I was going to meet my learning objectives. I learnt that young carers lives are changed so dramatically by their caring responsibilities that a few hours a week where they are able to be 'children' become extremely precious. On top of their responsibilities as carers, the young people also had school work to contend with and in some cases, additional caring roles, which due to cultural factors, was taken for granted that they would take on. I felt privileged that I had been given a preview into the young carers lives and had the opportunity to build relationships with them and the workers at Bristol Black Carers'.
Lisa, Social Work Student
Study facilities
The Department is superbly equipped with an extensive range of teaching and learning resources.
Research and publication in social work and social care is developing strongly, and is coordinated by a Professor of Social Work. The Glenside Campus Library has been greatly enhanced by the collections made available by the National Institute for Social Work (NISW) when the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) was created. This makes it a social work library of national importance.
The Library on the Glenside Campus has long been one of the best health and social care libraries in England with a huge selection of books, journals and audio-visual facilities, including access to specialist health and social care software packages.
Information Technology provision is in the form of multimedia laboratories, Remote Access links with some placement areas, smart boards and innovative projects such as 'multicasting' are used to deliver teaching material.
High quality residences are situated on both the Glenside and surrounding Campuses. For further information please take a look at the University Accommodation Services page. Alternatively call 0870 901 0773 or e-mail accommodation@uwe.ac.uk
Careers/further study
Successful completion of the course is a requirement for registration as a social worker in England. The current registering body is the General Social Care Council (GSCC). This role will be assumed by the Health Professions Council in July 2012. In recent years well over 90 per cent of graduates from the UWE programme have entered social work jobs at the end of their studies.
Employment opportunities in statutory, voluntary and private sectors are many and varied. Local authority services for children and adults, and organisation such as care trusts, will be the largest employers of social workers. Settings will range from residential and day care facilities, to community based offices, health centres and hospitals. Voluntary and private sector roles include therapeutic, co-ordinating and development roles.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating - includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
A day in the life of a social worker
Useful links
UWE - careers in social work
Prospects - careers in social care
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: Normally 300 minimum
- GCSE: A minimum of five subjects at grade C or above including English Language and Mathematics.
- Relevant subjects: Sociology, Psychology, Law or Social Science preferred
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of 30 Level 3 credits at merit, of which 15 must be in Social Work, Social Science or a related subject; achievement of Level 2 credits giving GCSE equivalence in English Language and Mathematics.
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about entry requirements.
Entry requirements
We require evidence of recent assessed academic study within the last three years.
Applicants who have obtained recognised qualifications at the required level may be able to claim credit for modules.
Students who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements but have significant life and/or work experience will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants must have some knowledge of social work or social care.
We frequently accept the completion of further or adult education courses as an appropriate entry qualification. Completing an Access or Foundation course may be a good move for people who have been away from formal education for a number of years.
Applicants whose first language is not English should have a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each section of the examination. Full details of this language test can be obtained from the British Council.
Part-time options
The Department of Health and Applied Social Sciences offers a part-time pre-registration degree in Social Work. The programme is accredited by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). We currently have one option available over five years, with some flexibility in how the student might progress through the programme. The programme offers annual leave over the Christmas and Easter period and a Summer break of six weeks. The programme commences in September.
Additional selection criteria
As well as meeting the academic entry requirements, applicants should meet the following selection criteria:
Health assessment/declaration - applicants must be in good health. Those offered a place are required to complete a questionnaire and be prepared to undergo a medical examination if necessary.
Disclosure of criminal background - the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not apply and all convictions, including those which are spent, must be disclosed. Applicants who are offered a place must undergo a Criminal Record Bureau check and will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form. All information will be treated in confidence and only taken into account when absolutely necessary.
Questionnaire - shortlisted applicants may be required to complete a biographical questionnaire.
Interview - shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
Completing the application form - We will be looking for applicants committed to a career in Social Work. You should clearly demonstrate in the 'personal statement' section of the application form your commitment to the programme by saying why you want to study Social Work and any relevant work experience gained to date.
Fees
Students may be eligible for the following financial support and will need to carry out the following steps:
- Step 1 - Complete the standard student finance package (income-assessed and includes student loan, grants and other support) application form available from Student Finance - England. The application will be used to assess how much you will get and will provide a letter of eligibility which you will then need to send with your Social Work bursary application.
- Step 2 - Complete the Social Work bursary (non income-assessed) application form available from the NHS Bursary Services Authority.
How to apply
Full-time - Please see the general information about applications.
Part-time - Application forms for the part-time programme are available from Admissions and International Development:
Telephone: +44(0)117 32 83333
E-mail: Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011