BA (Hons) Social Work (Full Time)

Social work training at Southampton Solent University has a strong practice element, underpinned by theory. The course leads to both a professional and academic qualification and is built on long-standing relationships with local employers, service users and carers. You will develop the skills, values and knowledge needed to contribute to the lives of vulnerable people through a rewarding career in social work.

Key elements include:

• Suitable for those with little or no social work experience or for more experienced individuals
• Study full-time for three years or for four years on the employment-based route
• University-based study, with two periods in supported work placements
• Teaching team with a wide range of experience in teaching and social work practice
• ‘Real life’ experiences used for learning
• Course content routinely reviewed to ensure it stays in line with sector changes
• Specialist speakers and contributors, including service users and carers
• Strong student support, including a personal tutor
• A variety of teaching and assessment styles, including lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, and individual and group tutorials.

Industrial focus

The focus of this degree is on developing and equipping students for practice. They meet practising professionals, service users and carers from the start and continue to work with them and learn from them throughout the course. Students also complete two work experience placements for local authorities or voluntary, private and independent organisations in the region.

Students can register with the Health and Care Professions Council, the regulatory body for social work, if they complete the course successfully. They can also take up student membership of the College of Social Work, the professional body for social work.

The course equips students with transferable skills which are valued by employers, such as communication skills, an understanding of diversity and ethical working, the ability to work in a team and to manage complex workloads. Graduates of the Southampton Solent University Social Work degree have an excellent record of gaining employment.

Course content

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 a volunteering experience.

Year 2

Four core units:

• Social Work: Forming Partnerships and Working with Others
• Developing Legal Perspectives
• Social Work Methods and Interventions
• 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 professional standards and the QAA Benchmark Statement for Social Work.

Three core units and one option unit:

• Extending Professional Competence in Practice
• Research and Social Work
• Risk, Responsibility and Resolution.

Options:

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

Why choose Solent?

A degree in social work provides an opportunity to become a member of a distinct professional group committed to supporting and promoting the wellbeing of vulnerable adults, children and communities.

• Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• The wide age range and the opportunities for discussion and experiential learning ensure that the study environment is lively and stimulating.

Assessment

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 Law for Social Work.

Projects/work experience

We have 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.

Key career skills

Interpersonal communication, management and leadership, teamwork, presentation.

Student quote

Sonya Bdesha

“I chose to study at Southampton Solent because the University is right in the heart of a vibrant, student-friendly city.

“The course had been rated highly in comparison to those offered by other universities, and I found the interview process to be more friendly and relaxed than others that I had been to. The tutors were approachable and enthusiastic, which made me feel really positive about accepting my place here.

“My time on campus has also been positive. We have had the opportunity to interact with guest speakers and professionals which has contributed to our learning.

“I would recommend the Social Work course at Southampton Solent University as it has made me view society from a range of perspectives, and it has given me some invaluable and positive experiences. Although it is often very challenging, I have realised how rewarding it is to help vulnerable people to live their lives as happily and as independently as they can.”

Key info from UNISTATS

You might notice the data is the same in multiple widgets below. That’s because if there isn’t enough data about each version of the course, the data is combined. For more info, visit the Unistats website.