SOCIAL WORK—BENEFIT

SOCIAL WORK—BENEFIT

Key benefits

* Study two years full-time, three years part-time
* Qualify as a professional Social Worker while gaining a Masters Degree
* The course has been designed collaboratively with service users, practitioners, careers, students and academic staff
* You will integrate knowledge, theory, research and practical understanding and use this in your professional practice
* You will gain valuable practical experience in social work/social care settings

Who is the course for?

* Individuals who who have an honours degree or who possess a relevant professional qualification (e.g. teaching, nursing) of degree equivalence
* Candidates who want to achieve the professional qualification in Social Work validated by the General Social Care Council (GSCC)

Course content

With an emphasis on research and student-centred learning, the course aims to develop student’s understanding and skills in becoming a critical practitioner. These are:

* Understanding social processes, structures and systems which oppress and protect civil and human rights
* Developing skills and knowledge in professional practice
* Understanding the relationship between research, evidence based practice and social work theory and methods

You will also have the opportunity to follow a particular pathway in an aspect of social work such as: Mental health, Children and Families, Older people and Disability.

How will the course be taught?

The course is designed to enable you to integrate knowledge, theory, research and practical understanding and use this understanding in the field of professional practice.

The course is structured around a model of education known as action learning. Using this model you will work in learning sets of 6 or 7, with the support of academic staff. This approach enables you to develop and enhance skills appropriate to social work. For example:

* Working in teams
* Time and task management
* Presentation skills and information searching

In addition, you will be expected to develop a range of independent learning skills with increasing use of computer based skills to facilitate learning.

Learning throughout the programme is supported by a range of service users, practitioners, carers, qualified students and academic staff. This exposes you to a range of perspectives on the delivery and receipt of social work, thereby enabling you to engage with the complexities inherent in contemporary social work provision.

Practice placements

You will undertake two 100 day placements, learning in a social work/care agency, thereby enabling the integration of knowledge, skills, research, theory and evidence based practice. Each practice learning opportunity will be clearly structured, supported and assessed.
Assessment

The range of teaching and assessment methods are varied. They include assignments, projects, workbooks, portfolios and one open book exam. Each module is assessed and you must pass each module before progressing to the second year.

Career progression

The course provides the professional social work qualification which enables graduates to work in any area of social work practice including the statutory, voluntary and private sectors.
International students

We welcome applications from international students and/or students seeking residence in this country. The course requires that all entry requirements are met prior to an offer being made.

All applicants who have spent a period of time overseas (from the age of 11 years) are required to obtain Criminal Conviction Clearance for the period of time spent overseas.

In addition, our International Office will offer support and guidance in facilitating student admissions onto the programme. Please note: Overseas students are required to demonstrate English equivalence to a standard of IELTS 6.5.

Further information

Police Clearance: All offers on this course are made subject to police clearance. Police checks on criminal convictions and cautions will be carried out prior to registration. Criminal convictions do not preclude application but all convictions and cautions must be declared.


Additionally, it is a requirement laid down by the GSCC that all students entering a social work programme must have a minimum of GCSE maths and English at grade 'C’ or equivalent (e.g. Key Skills Level 2 – Application of Numbers), or be in the process of acquiring or planning to study these qualifications.