Course overview

The course gives you the opportunity to study for the BA (Hons) Social Work degree over four years with part-time attendance. This mode of study attracts applicants who want to remain in employment, are looking to change career and want to study at a slower pace, or wish to return to work after a career break or an absence. It draws students from various backgrounds, ages and experience and requires students to be self-motivated, creative and proactive in their learning. It also enables students to achieve their degree through a mixture of self-directed and managed learning based on a foundation of workshops, formal teaching, group activity and tutorial support.

Workshops give you the opportunity to discuss and share issues which have arisen during your research, employment, placement experience, independent study and group work activities, using case studies, activities, exercises and themes with the aim of applying learning to practice. Additionally, you are encouraged to develop your own independent study groups.

Time management, confidence and motivation are key skills for students following this mode of study. If you plan to remain in employment you are advised to have detailed discussion and clear agreements with your managers about the study and placement requirements prior to making an application. The course leader and admissions tutor are happy to offer advice and support with this if required.

The course is vocational as well as academic and requires students to complete and pass work-based practice learning of 70 days year 2/3 and 100 days in year 4, therefore it is essential that employers are made aware of this at the beginning of the course as there is a minimum attendance requirement.

Module guide

Assessment

Each module is separately assessed and must be passed in order to progress. A variety of assessment methods are used, including assignments, presentations, learning journals, portfolios, 'patchwork texts' and poster design. Practice curriculum modules are also assessed by the practice educator, who determines the level at which the student is performing the specified competencies in practice.

Special features

• The course will be delivered through full time, class based means on a part-time basis.
• It features a wide variety of teaching and learning methods. Generally, learning methods are student focused and include presentations and role play as well as more traditional lectures, seminars and use of VLE. Practice learning is central as a means of acquiring knowledge as well as practical skills.

Links with industry and professional recognition

The BA Social Work is a professional qualification in social work, externally validated by the Health and Care Professions Council and endorsed by the College of Social Work.

Associated careers

Social work offers the opportunity to work in a number of settings including health, education and youth justice as well as statutory, voluntary and charitable social care agencies.

UCAS Tariff points:	240
Additional Requirements:	Preferred subject(s): Relevant vocational experience Non-Academic Conditions: CRB Checks required, Interviews, Occupational Health clearance required GCSE(s) Required: 5 GCSE passes at C or above including, English Language and, Mathematics (or equivalent level 2 qualifications)

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

Applying
All applications must go via UCAS. Due to the fact that the programme is always highly over subscribed we only accept applications between September and 15 January for the following intake year. Late applications will only be considered if we still have places available on the course.
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other acceptable qualifications

• Access to Higher Education Diploma which is available from colleges of further education. Please ensure that Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy are included if you do not have GCSE Maths and English Language at grade C or above. This will cover all the entry requirements, provided the full course is successfully passed with 30 credits at Merit level.
• NVQ Level 3 in a relevant subject won't be accepted on its own and will require an additional 240 UCAS points from A level or equivalent qualifications.
• Advanced GNVQ with distinction grade.
• Open University Credits will also be accepted in lieu of the UCAS tariff points requirement (90 credits would be expected).
• National Literacy and numeracy tests at Level 2 or 3 will be accepted in lieu of GCSE Maths and English.

From the above information we will calculate requirements for Scottish/Irish Highers, International, European and Welsh Baccalaureate equivalents so that they are all equitable. We will also accept tariff points from other qualifications on the UCAS tariff such as the Cambridge Pre-U (subject requirements will be assumed to be the same as for A Level).

If you do not meet the entry requirements, we would recommend you contact your local further education colleges, to ascertain which suitable courses they offer.