Program Overview

BA Hons Social Work

The BA Hons Social Work is a four-year course that prepares students for the challenging role of a social worker. The degree is validated by the Scottish Social Services Council and closely aligned to the Standards in Social Work Education.

Course Overview

The course focuses on social work practice issues, with classes covering subjects such as psychology, social policy, law, social work practice, and sociology. In Year 4, students will write an Honours dissertation.

Work Placement

During the course, students will undertake two placements in social work settings across the west and southern coast of Scotland, including social work departments and voluntary organisations. Students will have the opportunity to work with children and young people, older people, and adults with disabilities or mental health problems.

Major Projects

Students will undertake a dissertation during Year 4, choosing a social work topic of interest and working with a supervisor with similar interests.

Continuous Professional Development

Over the four years of study, students will participate in a programme of practice learning days that aim to further develop their knowledge and skills in preparation for professional social work practice.

Postgraduate Study

Upon qualification as a social worker, there are opportunities for further study, including the Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health Social Work or the MSc in Advanced Residential Childcare.

International Experience

The BA Social Work at Strathclyde has an exchange agreement with New York University, providing opportunities for students to study abroad.

Course Content

The course is delivered through a range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, group work, video, and online resources. The course is delivered by a skilled staff team, many of whom hold a professional social work qualification.

Year 1

• Semester 1:
  • Preparing for Lifelong Learning
  • Understanding Social Science & Social Research
  • Psychology for Social Work
• Semester 2:
  • Individuals, Communities & Society
  • Poverty, Disadvantage and Discrimination
  • Values, Ethics and Justice

Year 2

• Semester 1:
  • Law for Social Work Practice
  • Social Work Organisation and Collaborative Practice
  • Social Work Processes & Practices
• Semester 2:
  • Observational Placement
  • Social Work in Diverse Contexts
  • Understanding Risk and Protection
  • Elective

Year 3

• Semester 1:
  • Practice Learning 1: Organisational Context
  • Practice Learning 1: Social Work Practice
• Semester 2:
  • Social Work Approaches and Methods
  • Social Research for Social Work
  • Social Work in a Global Context

Year 4

• Semester 1:
  • Practice Learning 2: Organisational Context
  • Practice Learning 2: Social Work Practice
• Semester 2:
  • Preparing for Professional Practice: Ready and Radical
  • Honours Dissertation

Assessment

Students will be assessed by essays, reports, presentations, peer group assessments, and, in some cases, examination.

Entry Requirements

• Highers: AABB (entry generally from S6, including English or a social science, from the preferred subject list below at B, Maths/Applications of Mathematics National 5 C and an English qualification at the minimum of SCQF level 5)
• A Levels: ABB - BBB
• International Baccalaureate: 32-30
• HNC/HND: Applicants must have a maths
  umeracy qualification at minimum SCQF 5 and English qualification at minimum SCQF 5
• Irish Leaving Certificate: Two H2 passes and three H3 passes including English, Ordinary at grade B3/O3 or above (D2/H5 at Higher Level)
• International students: Where English is a second language, an IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 overall is required

Fees & Funding

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £9,535
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status
• International: £21,550
• University preparation programme fees: International students can find out more about the costs and payments of studying a university preparation programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre
• Additional costs:
  • PVG scheme (Protection of Vulnerable Groups): Paid for through SSSC
  • Travel costs: Travel costs to placement, costs vary depending on location of placement and eligibility for travel expenses
  • Study/placement abroad: This is a voluntary component of the course and students are required to fund some travel and subsistence
  • Study materials: All core texts are available via the University library
  • Visa & immigration: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs

Careers

Qualified social workers are in demand in a number of areas, especially children and family services. They are now among the best paid public sector workers. Graduates from this course work in all levels of social work, including senior management positions, local authorities, and in the independent sector. Many graduates remain in contact with the University after securing employment, some acting as placement mentors for future students.