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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Social Work BA (Hons)
This is a full-time single honours programme within the Social Work subject area.
Key facts
- Subject area: Social Work
- Award: BA (Hons)
- Code: L508:K
- Location: Medway
- Honours: Single
- Mode of study: Full-time
- Duration: 3 years
- Start: 2013
- Year in industry: No
- Year abroad: No
- Institution(s): University of Kent
Overview
The degree in Social Work offers successful graduates eligibility for professional registration with the General Social Care Council (GSCC) and with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which, from July 2012, will be the regulatory body for social work. The degree provides the national required standard in knowledge and skills needed by professional social workers. The programme also provides extensive work in practice learning settings that meet Government requirements.
Social Work runs at the University of Kent's Medway campus, and benefits from the excellent new facilities on site. The degree is taught by lecturers with extensive social work practice experience who are active in research and scholarship, and the student body is a cosmopolitan mix of mature and younger students, from different ethnic backgrounds and nationalities.
Home and EU students are normally eligible for a non-means-tested Department of Health bursary of approximately £4,575 per year, which includes a basic grant, an amount for practice placement expenses and a contribution towards tuition fees.
Important information about the Social Work curriculum for 2013
The Social Work Reform Board require all Higher Education Institutions to develop a new curriculum for qualifying social work programmes by Sept 2013. It will be based on the new Professional Capabilities Framework which can be acessed via the College of Social Work website. Course information will be updated as soon as all changes have been confirmed.
Modules
Stage 1
You take eight compulsory 15-credit modules.
- Communication Skills
- Human Growth and Development
- Introduction to Law for Social Work
- Social Policy
- Social Theory for Social Workers
- Social Work Services and Service Users
- Social Work Theories, Methods and Practice 1
- Values, Ethics and Equality
In January, you undertake preparation for practice activities where you have the opportunity to shadow an experienced social worker and to develop a greater understanding of the experience of service users.
Stage 2
From September to March, you do a 100-day assessed practice placement in a social work organisation involving direct provision of services to service users.
Practice placements are allocated by the University in statutory (for example. local authority services), voluntary and private organisations, depending on availability, taking into account your interests, learning needs and geographical considerations.
You then take two 30-credit compulsory modules:
- Adults, Services and Community Care
- Social Work with Children and Families.
Stage 3
In the first term, you take four 15-credit modules.
- People Who Use Services and Carers
- Research for Social Work Practice
- Social Work Practice in a Multi-agency Context
- Social Work Theories, Methods and Practice 2
The programme finishes with another 100-day period of assessed practice, from January to June, in a social work organisation.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods include formal lectures, large and small group discussion and experiential work, and a programme of seminars.
Social workers are required to be computer literate, so you have the opportunity to take modules towards the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) or equivalent.
During placement periods, you are assessed by a practice educator on whether you meet the National Occupational Standards for Social Work.
In addition to the assessed placements, you are assessed through a mixture of written module assignments, in class tests, presentations and video work. Successfully completing Stage 1 also includes satisfying the Board of Examiners that you are safe to do the practical component of Stages 2 and 3.
Careers
The programme has a good record of graduates obtaining employment. Nationally, there is a shortage of social workers. Jobs are available in: local authority and health settings (for example, working with children and families, disabled people, people with mental health problems, older people); voluntary organisations (for example, Barnardos, NSPCC); and private agencies (for example, private fostering agencies). Some graduates choose to do agency supply work.
Social work is a regulated profession. A qualifying degree is a prerequisite for professional registration as a qualified social worker. As a social work student, you will be expected to register with the General Social Care Council (GSCC), the social work profession's regulator, and adhere to the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Social Workers. As well as regulating individual social workers and students, the GSCC also regulates the performance of social work courses, the reports of which are published on their website, so you can check to see how each university is performing. For more information visit: www.gscc.org.uk
Entry requirements
Offer levels
BCC at A level, IB Diploma 33 points with 4 in Mathematics or IB Diploma with 13 points at Higher inc 4 in Mathematics.
Mature candidates who do not hold appropriate qualifications are encouraged to apply, but need to satisfy the University they have the ability to study at degree level. Candidates taking an Access to Higher Education Diploma must achieve 65% of all level 3 credits at merit or above including Level 2 or higher credits in English and Maths.
Although we recognise their value, vocational qualifications such as National Vocational qualifications (NVQs) will not be accepted as they do not provide an adequate academic basis for students to enter directly into a degree programme. Such candidates may need to take an bridging qualification with acceptable academic content such as an access to higher education diploma.
There are some more vocational qualifications which are considered and these are listed on the UCAS tariff tables.
All applicants must demonstrate in their UCAS personal statement that they have gained sufficient experience to evidence their interest and suitability to study social work. There is no specific stipulation on the type and duration of experience but it is expected that this may include relevant paid employment, volunteering work or relevant personal experience such as informal caring or being a care-leaver.
Offers are subject to a GSCC health check and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Required subjects
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C or equivalent (such as level 2 functional skills or adult numeracy/literacy qualifications)
Further information
School
Enquiries:
T: +44 (0)1227 827272
Key Information Sets
The Key Information Set (KIS) data (right) is compiled by UNISTATS and draws from a variety of sources which includes the National Student Survey and the Higher Education Statistical Agency. The data for assessment and contact hours is compiled from the most populous modules (to the total of 120 credits for an academic session) for this particular degree programme. Depending on module selection, there may be some variation between the KIS data and an individual's experience. For further information on how the KIS data is compiled please see the UNISTATS website.
If you have any queries about a particular programme, please contact information@kent.ac.uk