Social Work BA (Hons)

About the course

Important notice there have been changes to the allocation of student bursaries on the Social Work Degree please see below for more information.

Social work is an established professional discipline regulated by law that has a clear preventative role within the community.

The aim of this degree is to train workers who will be confident, effective, resilient and safe practitioners. Students completing the programme are eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council |(HCPC) as a social worker.

We provide an environment that is stimulating and challenging, preparing social workers who are able to meet the challenges of the profession.

Social work education is undergoing significant changes as a result of the Social Work Reform Board and as a consequence, the curriculum will change to meet the requirements of the new Professional Capabilities Framework.

The modules outlined below are therefore subject to change for 2013. Responsibility for the regulation of social work will transfer from the GSCC to the Health and Care Professions Council from July 2012 (subject to parliamentary approval).

The DMU website entry will be updated to reflect progress with these changes. Leading to a professional qualification and eligibility to register as a social worker, this programme will also be regulated by the Health Professions Council (subject to validation).

Reasons why you should choose to study Social Work Degree at DMU

• You may be eligible for a non- repayable Social Work student bursary of up to £4,575
• Rated the top Social Work degree in the Midlands (Guardian League Tables, 2012)
• Our staff have extensive experience in social work practice and research, and we have an established reputation of more than 30 years Social Work teaching
• Practical work placements with strong local partnerships
• Rated the top Social Work degree in the midlands (Guardian League Tables, 2012)
• Multidisciplinary research informs our teaching and approach to social work practice
• Inter-Professional Education (IPE) promotes learning from other students across local institutions
• Our staff have extensive experience in social work practice and research

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Key facts

UCAS course code: L502

Duration: Three years full-time

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

2013/2014 UCAS Points Minimum of 300 points

GCSEs

• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths and English. Plus one of the following:

Alevels

• Normally with at least 200 points from 2 A levels with a specified subject at grade B or above

BTEC

• BTEC National Diploma - BTEC with Distinction/Distinction/Merit (320)
• BTEC National Certificate - only in combination with other accepted qualifications
• BTEC National Award - only in combination with other accepted qualifications
• BTEC Extended Diploma (3 A2s) - BTEC with Distinction/Distinction/Merit (320)
• BTEC Diploma (2 A2s) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications
• BTEC 90 credit Diploma - only in combination with other accepted qualifications
• BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (1 A2) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications
• BTEC certificate (1 A1) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications

Access Course Pass. English and Maths GCSE equivalency required, 12 level 2 credits in each subject.

Interview:
Applicants will have an individual interview and a group interview. Student will produce a short written piece of work (2 sides of typed A4) on an allocated topic. Demonstration of emotional resilience through an individual interview.

Work Experience:
Yes - 450 hours PT or 3 months FT voluntary or work-based experience in a social work or social care setting involving direct work with service users or carers, prior to the start of the course and where a reference can be provided. This must involve direct work with service users or carers during the last 5 years. This is other than placements-based experience obtained during a college training programme.

International Baccalaureate: 30+

You must complete a declaration form and enhanced CRB disclosure application form before starting the course, which needs to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admissions policy. Contact us for up-to-date information.

Three months or 450 hours experience in a social work or social care setting involving direct work with service users or carers and where a reference can be provided. (This cannot include observational placements gained during college courses).

International Students:
If English is not your first language, we require an English language level of IELTS 7.0 or equivalent.

Teaching and assessment

Social work is a full-time programme and in the first year, you can expect to be in taught sessions on most days. In the second and third years, you will have one to two days of independent study each week.

Teaching and learning approaches include individual and group work, shadowing, problem based learning, lectures and tutorials.

During placements, you will work during the normal hours of your placement agency. A range of assessment methods are used on the programme, including academic coursework, presentations, videos, exams, dissertation and analysis
of practice.

Course modules

During the course, you will explore various aspects of social work and the role of social workers in society. There is a strong emphasis on anti discriminatory practice and look at practical ways of addressing inequalities in society.

The range of reflective and specialist modules on this programme prepare you to work with people in a variety of fields in the voluntary, private and statutory sectors; including child protection, older people and mental health for example.

First year

• Preparation for social work practice
• Introduction to law, policy and procedure
• Understanding the life span (Human growth and development)
• Introduction to social work theories and skills in practice

Second year

• Practice placement (70 days)
• Law for social work practice
• Social work theories and skills in practice
• Research informed practice
• Inter-professional education

Third year

• Research Project
• The developing professional practitioner
• Professional judgement and decision making
• Final practice placement (100 days)

Industry links and professional accreditation

The high quality of our Social Work provision has been recognised and accredited by the General Social Care Council. The course content, delivery and teaching meets the high standards set by this professional body.

Work experience and placements

Students take on two placements of approximately 100 days each to prepare to be effective practitioners. Placements are located in statutory, voluntary and private agencies, such as hospitals, residential care, in fieldwork settings and in housing and homelessness projects.

You will work with a wide range of service user groups

Graduate careers

Our graduates go on to work with the range of service user groups identified above and including social work with children and families, in duty and assessment, in child protection with people in mental health distress, with older people, with people with learning disabilities and people who are problematic substance users.

Postgraduate opportunities allow you to continue your professional development, including; Masters in Research| (Social Work) MRes, Health/Youth and Community Development| (with or without Professional Qualification) MA.

Learn more about graduate employability and careers|

Fees and funding

UK/EU Full-time £9000 Part Time 2013/14 4 Year Course £5925 6 Year Course £3950 Per Module (15 Credits) £988 International
Full-time Band 1 £10,750 Band 2 £11,250

Learn more about fees and funding information|.

Scholarships

Learn more about our Undergraduate scholarships| and awards information.

Facilities

Recent investment of £8 million in to our first-class teaching and learning facilities, develop your practical experience and enhance your employability upon graduation.

At DMU you will benefit from 24 hour access to our fully equipped library and Learning Zone for focussed group and independent study.

Learn more about our first-class study facilities|