Program Overview

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BSc(Hons) Social Work

The BSc(Hons) Social Work course at UWE Bristol enables students to become qualified social workers, developing the understanding and skills necessary to support society's most vulnerable people and ensure their wellbeing.

Why Study Social Work?

This practical degree offers a grounding in the skills, knowledge, and placement experience required to become a skilled social worker. Students gain a direct route into practice with 170 days of placement experience through links with various partner agencies, exposing them to a range of social work roles in statutory, voluntary, private, and independent organizations.

Why UWE Bristol?

Students are taught by experienced and enthusiastic staff, most of whom are registered social workers with a wide range of practice knowledge and research interests. The HUB group, consisting of service users, carers, and people with lived experience, plays a central role in teaching and learning on this course. Based in a vibrant and diverse multi-cultural city, UWE Bristol provides a unique learning experience with opportunities for social work students supported by practitioners working in various social care settings.

Entry

Typical Offers

To meet the entry requirements, students need to achieve the following:

• GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
• Tariff points: 112
• Contextual tariff: See the contextual offers page.
• English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants must have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 6.0 in each component.
• A-level subjects: No specific subjects are required.
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects are required.
• Access: No specific subjects are required.
• Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects are required. UWE Bristol accepts the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
• Irish Highers: No specific subjects are required.
• Welsh Baccalaureate: UWE Bristol accepts tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
• Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects are required.
• T Levels: No specific subjects are required.

Selection Process

Shortlisted applicants are invited to an online interview. For more details on the process, please refer to the selection page.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must note that due to early clinical contact on this course, they must turn 18 before the start of placement. Those who do not turn 18 by the commencement of the placement will be advised to defer or reapply as appropriate.

Additional Requirements

Before starting the course, students are required to complete:

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
• A Health Check

International Applicants

For country-specific entry requirements, please find your country on the country information pages.

Deferred Entry

UWE Bristol accepts deferred entry applications for this course.

Structure

Content

The course content is divided into three years:

Year One

Students study:

• Law for Social Work Practice
• Readiness for Professional Social Work Practice
• Relationship-Based Social Work
• Rethinking Social Justice: Social Policy and Inequalities
• Social Work and the Life Course

Year Two

Students study:

• Engaging with Young People, Children, and Families
• Mental Health, Society, and Social Work
• Social Work Placement 1
• Working with Adults in Social Work Practice

Final Year

Students study:

• Equality, Ethics, and Values for Social Work
• Future Practice; Leadership, Organisations, and Sustainability
• Research Proposal Project
• Risk, Complexity, and Decision-Making
• Social Work Placement 2

Learning and Teaching

Staff have extensive practice, research, and teaching experience in health and social care, bringing this expertise to the classroom. Students learn through formal lectures, seminars, project work, enquiry-based learning, and individual self-directed study, alongside assignments. The staff's wide range of practice experience, research skills, and interests enables the creation of a curriculum relevant to the changing and evolving nature of social work practice.

Teaching from the HUB group of service users, carers, and people with lived experience forms a vital part of the curriculum and teaching, ensuring students learn from those directly involved with the social work profession.

Assessment

Students are assessed using a mix of written assignments, presentations, and evidence of competence in practice. Reflective diaries and progress files may also be used.

Fees

Full-Time Course

• Home Annual (Per Year) Fee: ｣9,535
• Home Module Fee (15 Credit): ｣1,192
• International Annual (Per Year) Fee: ｣17,000
• International Module Fee (15 Credit): ｣2,125

Indicative Additional Costs

• Additional Course Costs Indicative Maximum Cost Per Year: ｣650

Features

Professional Accreditation

This course is approved by Social Work England, the regulator of social work education and practice in England. Upon completion, students are eligible to apply for registration as a social worker with Social Work England, allowing them to practice social work in England.

Placements

Students spend 170 days on placements: 70 days in Year Two and 100 days in Year Three. They also shadow social workers in Year One. This experience hones social work skills, knowledge, and professional networks, shaping students into sought-after graduates upon qualifying.

Careers

Careers/Further Study

Upon completion, students are eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England, enabling them to practice social work in England. They are qualified to work with adults or children in numerous roles and sectors, including statutory teams, hospital social work, and voluntary sector organizations. Many students secure employment in the teams where they completed their final year placement.

The award-winning Careers Service offers support in developing employment potential through career coaching and finding graduate jobs, placements, and global opportunities.