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BA (Hons)
For Teaching Quality in Social work Guardian League Table 2022 and Times League Table 2022
Approved by Social Work England
Prepare for life as a Social Worker following graduation
*This course is currently under review/validation by Social Work England*
Social Workers support individuals and families to achieve positive change in their lives. This degree prepares you for a profession with human rights and social justice at its core.
Regulated by Social Work England, our degree course will prepare you for a career in social work in a diverse range of social welfare settings. The content of your studies will equip you for employment in both children’s and adults’ social work, in areas such as safeguarding, community and therapeutic services.
A total of 170 days of assessed practice learning, through highly rewarding vocational placements in the community, will also help ensure you are well prepared for life as a Social Worker following graduation.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Social Work
In order to support your placement experience you should possess a driver’s license, access to a vehicle with business class insurance by the time of your first placement.
However, if for medical reasons you are unable to drive this will not negatively impact on your placement experience.
Level 4 begins with a period of skills development. You will then cover issues such as Rights, Justice and Equality, Readiness for Practice and Relationship-based Social Work, followed by an Introduction to Social Work Theories, Study Skills, and Values, Ethics and Multi-dimensional Diversity.
At Level 5, your knowledge will be extended to cover key issues such as Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk, and Lifespan and Human Growth and Development. The year will also include a 70-day assessed placement.
Level 6 will let you explore Social Work Research Mindedness, Inter-professional Practice and Contemporary Themes in Social Work. There will also be a second period of assessed practice lasting 100 days.
The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 30 academic credits with a smaller number of 15 credit modules. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The full-time course has one start point in September.
Video
Social Work student, Steven talks about his ambitions for working with teenagers leaving care.
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The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.
This module will help you to view the world differently! Introduction to Social Work theory is an exploration of the different ways we can understand behaviour and society, providing new insights the strengths and vulnerabilities which make us human. You will be given the opportunity to investigate key perspectives from disciplines such as Psychology; Sociology; Biology and Politics and apply them to a case study.This is an exciting and challenging module that will provide you with the essential knowledge base to make a difference as a professional social worker.
Module code: SOWK40305
This module provides an introduction to study and research skills that are necessary for you to succeed with study at undergraduate level. This will include the skills required for formal writing, how to structure assignments and meet learning outcomes successfully and how to cite evidence to support your answers. You will also learn how to locate and utilise information from academic sources in relation to Social Work, including using libraries and technology to enhance your learning.
Module code: SOWK40331
This module provides you with the base knowledge of law for social work with children and adults as well as law around capacity and human rights. You will study key parts of the law that underpin social work practice and also look at how the British legal system works. The module also looks at social justice and equality laws, and you will consider how key changes in politics, specifically social policy, impact upon the lives of vulnerable people.
Module code: SOWK40306
Relationships are at the heart of social work be it the relationship between a social worker and service user, the social worker and fellow professionals and the social worker with the family and community of individual service users. This module aims to give students the skills and knowledge needed to work effectively as a relationship based social worker. Youll learn about and get the chance to practice communications skills; youll gain a greater knowledge of how to relate to others and a greater knowledge of yourself. The module doesnt just focus on a relationship with individual service users but also looks at their communities and networks. The module will give you the skills and knowledge to identify, challenge and overcome oppression and discrimination which can be experienced by service users in their lives and their communities. As a student you will learn how to develop your professional practice and the skills which will make you an effective practitioner. Social work is a profession of continual personal and professional development; therefore, you will learn the importance of reflective practice and its place in identifying your professional learning and development needs. This module will help you prepare for practice in your level 5 (2nd year) and level 6 (3rd year) placement, where you can develop and grow as a social work professional.
Module code: SOWK40400
This module consists of skills-based learning that will prepare you for your first placement. For example, you can expect to gain practical experience in making phone calls, setting up online meetings, preparing and chairing meetings, taking minutes and notes. In Level 4 you will take part in a number of Skills Days. Whilst most of the Skills Days take place in this module, some of the days are embedded in other modules and contribute to assessing your readiness for first practice placement. As with other modules at Level 4 this module is linked to the Professional Capabilities Framework. In particular, but not exclusively, the domains:- Professionalism- Values and Ethics- Knowledge- Critical Reflection and Analysis, and- Intervention and Skills
Module code: SOWK40303
This fascinating module will explore the development of social work values and how these form a key component of the profession. The module will highlight the importance of understanding your own values and how, as a social work student, you will be expected to uphold a service user's autonomy and respect their values. You will be introduced to a global perspective of sociology and there will be an exploration of inequalities across the world. You will learn about the need to work with people from a variety of backgrounds which will prepare you for professional practice.
Module code: SOWK40115
This module is open to students enrolled on the BA (Hons) Social Work. Teaching and learning strategies encourage and enable critical thinking and research mindedness and promote a strengths-based and anti-oppressive approach to social work practice which values and celebrates diversity and respects individuals' personal, cultural and religious identities.
Module code: SOWK50320
This module considers development throughout life, starting with pre-birth and child development going through to considering adulthood and old age. You will make links between what happens in someone's childhood and how this might influence who they are as an adult.¿ You will also look at theories in depth to consider how development is interpreted, and use this knowledge to plan interventions for case studies within the module, as well as for social work as a profession.
Module code: SOWK50322
This module is open to students enrolled on the BA (Hons) Social Work course and builds on the Level 4 skills-based module Readiness for Supervised Practice. Students will each be allocated a professionally qualified Practice Educator (and where appropriate a Work Based Supervisor) who will work with them throughout their placement to facilitate critical thinking, support to apply classroom learning to real world practice and promote an anti-oppressive approach to social work practice.
Module code: SOWK50327
The module provides an opportunity to integrate your learning at Level Four (for example, in communication skills, social work law, theories, values and processes) into your understanding of social work practice in this field.Working with and Safeguarding Adults at Risk explores social work policy and practise with adults. This is a broad field of work, which includes safeguarding, service provision for older people, disabled people, carers and those experiencing poor mental health. There will be a specific focus on the impact of personalisation policies on the role of the social worker in safeguarding as defined within the Care Act 2014 and the accompanying statutory guidance.
Module code: SOWK50328
This module has two distinct elements:- Practice: 100 day placement and production of a professional portfolio evidencing knowledge, theory and skills mapped into the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS). Each student will have a Practice Educator and Academic Link who will support the student through the placement via formal and informal meetings and tutorials. - Academic: Professional development and awareness through 4 taught days within the university to support the student's placement experience. There is an assessed presentation at the end of the placement based on a Critical Incident and a written submission to support the presentation.
Module code: SOWK60326
This is an exciting and topical module based on current and emerging social work practice issues. A generic approach is taken to the subject matter to include impact and relevance in children's services, mental health and adults services with many of the themes cutting across each discipline. The final assessed piece is an assignment based on a contemporary theme of the student's choice supported by research and where relevant, professional experience.
Module code: SOWK60409
Social workers work in different kinds of organisations - from small voluntary organisations to large and complex agencies like the NHS or local government. This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to understand how these organisations work, how they are funded and the strengths and weaknesses of different types of organisation. You will also learn about quality assurance and the role of regulation and accreditation in the social work profession. The module will give you an overview of management theory and practice in social work organisations. This knowledge is useful when it comes to social work practice because as a social worker you will have to work in and with many different organisations. You will find an understanding of organisations and interpersonal practice will be useful for social work practice and when it comes to making career choices about the kind of organisation you might want to work in when you qualify as a social worker.
Module code: SOWK60323
This module is open to students enrolled on the BA (Hons) Social Work and builds on both their classroom and practice learning at Level 5. Teaching and learning strategies encourage and enable critical thinking and research mindedness and promote an anti-oppressive approach to social work practice which values and celebrates diversity and respects individuals' personal, cultural and religious identities.
Module code: SOWK60324
112-120 UCAS Tariff points
Students must undertake and pass a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The admissions process will also include compliance with health requirements.
Occupational Health screening
The admissions process will also include consideration of any specific health requirements, however disclosure of physical or mental health issues, or specific learning needs at any point of the recruitment process will not affect whether you are offered a place on the course.
If a conditional offer of a place is made, a health check is undertaken through a student self-declaration, initial occupational health screening and if appropriate, occupational health assessment, to inform decisions regarding support and suitability for the course.
We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.
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This course requires IELTs 7 with no less than 6.5 in any band for students whose first language is not English.
For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.
Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.
A fully furnished house used for simulated, scenario-based training. It includes audio and video facilities to record simulated exercises and allow detailed tutor and peer feedback.
Our Immersive Suite can simulate almost any environment including home, hospital and pub. The suite allows 360 projection putting you in a more realistic environment to enhance simulations.
Put legal theory into practice in our purpose-built mock courtrooms
We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.
This collection of rooms and resources allows for exploration and development with Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies.
Join Tracey Horton, Manager of the Staffordshire University Legal Advice Clinic, on a tour of our Mock Court Room, used by students to prepare them for their future career.
Find out more about our Immersive Technology Facilities.
Many of our Social Work graduates gain employment with our placement providers. Some return to Staffordshire University to complete their Masters in Post-registration Social Work. A range of post-qualifying course options is available at both degree and postgraduate level in the areas of adults, children, young people, their families and carers.
All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.
Mature student, Jodie overcame life challenges to complete her Social Work degree and begin the next stage in her career.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least three times a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.
Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).
Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.
Hear from our students and Course Leader, Jamie Brockie on why Social Work is a life-changing career.
Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements.
When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.
For the course starting on 18 September 2023 the tuition fees are:
UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.
**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.
International students: Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course, as long as you complete it in the normal time-frame (i.e. no repeat years or breaks in study).
Shannon talks about the benefits of placements and working in realistic simulations with experienced service users.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS ONLY
International Students, like all others, should be aware of the additional costs they will incur of travelling to their Practice Learning Placements. This is in addition to the costs associated with studying away from home of accommodation etc. International students are unlikely to be eligible for the additional financial support offered to some UK/EU students. In addition, there will be a Practice Learning Placement tariff of £1240 per year which covers the cost of the accessing the full range of learning experiences.
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation
If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by visiting: www.gov.uk
As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.
If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.
Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.
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This page is for Staffordshire University Social Work Students and any people interested in joining our social work programmes.
Latest updates from the Social Work staff and students
StudentCrowd University Awards 2022
Complete University Guide 2022
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
Research Excellence Framework 2021