BSc (Hons) Social Work
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Please note: This course is subject to University revalidation and approval by Social Work England. First entry to this course is September 2024. For information on September 2023 entry, please click here.
During your course, you will gain confidence and knowledge of social work, ensuring you are ready to support and improve the lives of everyday people, from all walks of life.
Covering modules in Social Work Assessment and Intervention, Policy and Law, Ethics, Research, Safeguarding, and Leadership, you will gain knowledge which you can apply to your practice placements and, subsequently, your future employment.
At Northumbria, you will be taught by leading academics who have extensive practical experience in a wide range of social work contexts. Furthermore, successful completion of the course, will enable you to apply for registration with Social Work England - a legal requirement for all practising social workers in England.
A social worker is someone who seeks to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights, and wellbeing. . They can support many kinds of people including the elderly, those with disabilities, people who have a learning disability, young offenders, children at risk of abuse, children living in foster care, autistic people, refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those vulnerable to drug or alcohol abuse.
Social Work is motivated by human rights and the wellbeing of the public, ensuring that everyone, no matter their circumstances, is treated fairly and is safe from harm. They may do this by assessing the needs of an individual, planning the best solution to their problems, making referrals, organising support, or even providing direct support.
The course is delivered through a range of learning and assessment methods, designed to ensure you can gain lots of transferable skills, such as independence, team working, research skills, leaderships, and time management. These skills are vital for any career, including Social Work.
As well as this, you will take part in 190 days of assessed placements in the final two years of study. This will be a fantastic way to get hands-on, help real people, and get a real feel for the kind of clinical settings which you may work in after your studies.
Top Department: Social Work at Northumbria is ranked top 20 in the UK (Times Good University Guide, 2024).
Research Powerhouse: Social Policy is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in the UK out of 76 submissions (REF, 2021). This represents a rise of 15 places compared to 2014.
Excellent Connections: Our Social Work placements aim to provide you with the opportunity to gain skills in at least two practice settings. Our excellent connections with local healthcare organisations provides opportunities in residential settings, fieldwork teams, hospitals, day service/centre provision, and schools.
Student Rated: 95% of students studying Social Work at Northumbria believed the library resources supported their learning and that their assessment feedback was often on time (NSS, 2023). Over 93% of students studying Social Work at Northumbria felt free to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs (NSS, 2023).
In December 2019, Social Work Education (SWE) became the new regulator for social work, replacing the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Since then, significant progress has been made to ensure a smooth and safe transition for social workers and the wider sector. Therefore, BA (Hons) Social Work is undergoing a University revalidation and approval by Social Work England which is planned to complete by Summer 2024. For more information, please visit https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/news/launch-date-announced/
Please note: This course is subject to University revalidation and approval by Social Work England. First entry to this course is September 2024. For information on September 2023 entry, please click here.
During your course, you will gain confidence and knowledge of social work, ensuring you are ready to support and improve the lives of everyday people, from all walks of life.
Covering modules in Social Work Assessment and Intervention, Policy and Law, Ethics, Research, Safeguarding, and Leadership, you will gain knowledge which you can apply to your practice placements and, subsequently, your future employment.
At Northumbria, you will be taught by leading academics who have extensive practical experience in a wide range of social work contexts. Furthermore, successful completion of the course, will enable you to apply for registration with Social Work England - a legal requirement for all practising social workers in England.
A social worker is someone who seeks to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights, and wellbeing. . They can support many kinds of people including the elderly, those with disabilities, people who have a learning disability, young offenders, children at risk of abuse, children living in foster care, autistic people, refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those vulnerable to drug or alcohol abuse.
Social Work is motivated by human rights and the wellbeing of the public, ensuring that everyone, no matter their circumstances, is treated fairly and is safe from harm. They may do this by assessing the needs of an individual, planning the best solution to their problems, making referrals, organising support, or even providing direct support.
The course is delivered through a range of learning and assessment methods, designed to ensure you can gain lots of transferable skills, such as independence, team working, research skills, leaderships, and time management. These skills are vital for any career, including Social Work.
As well as this, you will take part in 190 days of assessed placements in the final two years of study. This will be a fantastic way to get hands-on, help real people, and get a real feel for the kind of clinical settings which you may work in after your studies.
Top Department: Social Work at Northumbria is ranked top 20 in the UK (Times Good University Guide, 2024).
Research Powerhouse: Social Policy is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in the UK out of 76 submissions (REF, 2021). This represents a rise of 15 places compared to 2014.
Excellent Connections: Our Social Work placements aim to provide you with the opportunity to gain skills in at least two practice settings. Our excellent connections with local healthcare organisations provides opportunities in residential settings, fieldwork teams, hospitals, day service/centre provision, and schools.
Student Rated: 95% of students studying Social Work at Northumbria believed the library resources supported their learning and that their assessment feedback was often on time (NSS, 2023). Over 93% of students studying Social Work at Northumbria felt free to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs (NSS, 2023).
In December 2019, Social Work Education (SWE) became the new regulator for social work, replacing the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Since then, significant progress has been made to ensure a smooth and safe transition for social workers and the wider sector. Therefore, BA (Hons) Social Work is undergoing a University revalidation and approval by Social Work England which is planned to complete by Summer 2024. For more information, please visit https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/news/launch-date-announced/
UCAS Code
L503
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
3 years full-time
Department
Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2024 or September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Within this department, over half of our research in Social Work and Education has been rated as world leading or internationally excellent.
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Our Social Work BSc (Hons) is delivered through a range of learning methods including lectures, stakeholder facilitated skills days, seminars and tutorials, as well as 170 days of assessed placements in the final two years of study. The applied nature of social work as an academic discipline means that practice is an essential core element of learning.
You will have the opportunity to learn collaboratively with students from other professional backgrounds as this is a foundation for shared learning and collaborative working practice.
Placements
As well as academic study, students will undertake three practice placements (190 Hours) in social work settings. Here they will have the opportunity to demonstrate they are able to meet the required standards and professional capabilities for social work.
You will be supported throughout your studies by a dedicated team of module leaders and teaching staff with extensive experience in social work education, practice, and research. As such you will benefit from teaching that is grounded in real world practice experience in a range of specialist fields.
To fully support your learning journey, you will have a dedicated personal tutor who will be on-hand to offer help or assistance throughout the duration of your studies.
You will have access to broad range of learning resources including lectures, seminars and skills workshops directly informed by practitioners and service user perspectives. Newly equipped simulation facilities allow you to develop practice skills in a safe learning environment in preparation for practice with service users.
The course is based at our Coach Lane campus which houses some of the most advanced facilities in the country. This allows us to ensure your learning evolves in-line with the latest developments in the profession.
You will have access to our University Library and well-equipped working space, The Hub, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Technology is embedded throughout all aspects of your degree and you will receive ongoing support through our innovative e-learning platform, Blackboard, where you can access module handbooks, assessment information, lecture presentation slides and reading lists.
Just a few miles from the city centre lies Coach Lane Campus; a modern, multi-million pound complex. Here you’ll find lecture theatres, teaching rooms and study spaces to support students in every aspect of learning.
Coach Lane Campus
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Facilities
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You will benefit from teaching that is grounded in ‘real world’ practice experience in a range of specialist fields. Lecturers are research active across a range of specialist areas relevant to social work practice, which will be used to inform your study on the programme and support your development of evidence-informed practice.
A thriving inter-professional learning and research community within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences will enable you to make links with students on other professional programmes and to develop the skills and understanding required to become a research-minded practitioner.
The importance of people being actively engaged in occupations throughout life and periods of ill-health, transition and change is becoming increasingly recognised on a local, national, and international level meaning now is a great time to enter this exciting profession.
Northumbria University boasts strong links with many local organisations and out calibre of graduates is respected throughout the profession, which can be beneficial to your future employment prospects. By successfully completing the Programme you will be eligible to seek registration as a social worker with Social Work England.
The Programme aims to offer opportunity, relevance, and enhanced employability to you through learning, teaching, and employer engagement. Qualified social workers have the opportunity to undertake social work post qualifying accredited programmes at Northumbria University.
Many of our graduates from this course go on to work as social workers, dealing with children in need, caring for users with substance or alcohol misuse, people who are homeless or those suffering with mental health problems.
Graduates have successful careers in organisations such as local authorities or voluntary sectors, like the NSPCC, as well as going on to further education.
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112 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas or the International Baccalaureate
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4 or C, or the equivalent.
Additional requirements:
You will be required to attend an interview. Admission is subject to a suitable DBS Enhanced Certificate and a satisfactory health check. You must meet the Health and Care Professions Council's suitability for registration requirements.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match those shown above. If you have taken qualifications outside the UK you can find out how your qualifications compare by visiting our country page www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 6.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.
120 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas or the International Baccalaureate
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4 or C, or the equivalent.
Additional requirements:
You will be required to attend an interview. Admission is subject to a suitable DBS Enhanced Certificate and a satisfactory health check. You must meet the Health and Care Professions Council's suitability for registration requirements.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match those shown above. If you have taken qualifications outside the UK you can find out how your qualifications compare by visiting our country page www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 6.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,250
* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.
EU Fee in Year 1: £18,250
International Fee in Year 1:
ADDITIONAL COSTS
You will need to pay for your own travel costs, which may be approximately £800 per year depending on your placement location. You may be eligible to claim reimbursement of travel costs from the NHS Business Authority. Up to date information relating to this can be found at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/student-services. If using a car to attend placement, you may also need to pay parking charges of approximately £200 per year.
UK Fee in Year 1*: TBC
* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.
EU Fee in Year 1: **TBC
International Fee in Year 1:
TBC
ADDITIONAL COSTS
TBC
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS
International applicants please apply using the links below
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
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