This Social Work degree, accredited by Social Work England, provides hands-on experience and a foundation in ethics, diversity, psychology, sociology, social policy, and law. Students engage in simulated interactions with people with lived experience and learn from practicing social workers. The program offers placements in various settings, preparing graduates for employment in the statutory, voluntary, and private sectors.

This degree is accredited by Social Work England. You will develop skills in the award-winning Practice Learning Suite through simulated interactions with people with lived experience. Kingston University is part of a sector-leading social work and teaching partnership network with nine local authorities and three voluntary organisations. 5% of students thought staff were good at explaining things (NSS 2023). Train to become a social worker with this degree, accredited by Social Work England. This course offers hands-on experience of social work and a foundation in ethics, diversity, psychology, sociology, social policy and law. You'll study mental health, disability, adoption, fostering, substance misuse, youth justice, and domestic violence. We're part of a teaching partnership network with seven local authorities and two voluntary organisations. This means that you will be taught in the classroom by practicing social workers who will bring theory to life with their front-line experiences. You'll be expertly prepared for social work practice with placements in field, residential, day care, hospital, prison and service user-run settings. Placements will be supported by studies of assessment, intervention, evaluation, safeguarding, evidence-based practice, research and law.

Outline:

Year 1:

This year will develop your skills through the simulation and recording facilities of the Practice Learning Suite. Students learn about the role and tasks of social workers and develop professional skills in verbal and written communication. Service users and carers provide simulated interviews in the Practice Learning Suite. The module also examines the key research methods employed in the social sciences and encourages students to develop an analytical and critical approach to learning in preparation for professional practice. There is an emphasis upon participatory learning through class debate, workshop and seminar activities. This shifts to exploring personal and professional values and ethics as learning progresses. Students will be encouraged to recognise the links with ethical frameworks studied in other modules on the programme.

Year 2:

This year, you will study models on reflection, assessment, intervention, evaluation, safeguarding, evidence-based practice and law.

Core Modules:

• First Practice Placement (30 credits): This module is a practice placement of seventy days, undertaken in an agency within the statutory or voluntary sector.
Students will be provided with relevant learning opportunities and supported and supervised by practice learning staff.
• Practice Skills and Methods: Assessment and Intervention (30 credits): This module builds upon level 4 studies of human growth and development; sociology, psychology and law.
It will further enable students to develop skills in working with people, within policy, legal and ethical frameworks, and core skills in communicating and engaging with people, recognising some of the tensions that may arise from a risk-focus, including working against the wishes of service users and positive risk-taking. It will draw upon students' own experiences on placement, promoting the integration of academic and practice learning and enhancing the development of reflection and self awareness. Learning will include applying concepts from theory and research in lectures, interactive workshops, try-outs in the practice learning suite and case studies drawn from students' own practice.
• Knowledge for Social Work Practice 1 (30 credits): This module will develop students' knowledge for practice as they prepare to undertake their first placement.
In concentrating on knowledge, it complements SW5002, the module studied during this year which focuses on skills, methods and reflective practice. In this module, students will examine social work practice and law relating to work with a range of children and families, adults and older people whilst also considering the legal framework relating to cross cutting provisions particularly looked after children, fostering and adoption, mental health and youth justice. In thinking about evidence-based practices, students will study research methods and develop skills in evaluating the quality of research findings. Thirdly, they will develop knowledge of ethical principles and the theory underpinning anti-oppressive practices.
• Knowledge for Social Work Practice 2 (30 credits): This module enables students to reflect critically on practice experience and to analyse their application and use of social work knowledge in work with individuals, families and communities in the light of their first placement experience.
In this way, it allows them to develop and extend their knowledge in preparation for the second practice placement taken in the third year of study. Drawing on practice placement experience, students will examine how social work knowledge, ethics and values are used in practice to inform assessments and interventions, including how legal and policy frameworks and guidance inform and mandate social work practice. Students will debate how the implementation of social welfare policy impacts on people, social work, other professions, and inter-agency and inter-professional working, and evaluate the extent to which the expertise and voice of service users and carers is taken into account in shaping service delivery. Students will also analyse how organisations are structured and the extent which support anti-oppressive practice, examining lines of accountability and the limitations and boundaries of professional autonomy and discretion. Learning on this module will inform their personal and professional development plan for the final year of the programme.

Year 3:

You will learn about recent developments in law, research and practice. Studies culminate in a capstone project on a specialist practice area of your choice.

Core Modules:

• Contemporary Social Work Practice (30 credits): In this module you will be looking forward to qualified social work practice with the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) in mind.
You will also explore new developments in anti-oppressive practice, rights, justice and wellbeing.
• Research in Practice Study (30 credits): This module is a core requirement for students on the programme.
It draws on a specific area of social work practice. It is a capstone project designed to enable students to utilise their learning throughout the programme and demonstrate that they can make critical application of the theoretical and research evidence base underpinning social work practice.
• Critical Analysis of Practice (30 credits): The module is undertaken alongside a practice placement of one hundred days.
Students will be reflecting on and analysing their learning on placement. Students will be expected to evidence how their practice has met the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) at the standard required for students at the end of their final placement and how their knowledge base has informed practice.
• Final Practice Placement (30 credits): The module is a practice placement of one hundred days, undertaken in an agency which offers statutory interventions.
Students will be provided with relevant learning opportunities and supported and supervised by practice learning staff.

Assessment:

Year 1:

• Coursework: 71%
• Exams: 21%
• Practical: 8%

Year 2:

• Coursework: 100%

Year 3:

• Coursework: 100%

Teaching:

Every member of the teaching staff has substantial practice experience in social work. In addition, many are actively involved in social work research, presenting regularly at conferences and publishing in books and journals. Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. Social workers increasingly work in integrated interprofessional teams in social care, health, education and criminal justice.

Other:

• The course is delivered primarily in person, but may include online activities, either in real time or recorded.
• The Practice Learning Suite is a purpose-built facility where social work and social care students have the opportunity to learn and to practise key skills.
• Both local employers and service users and carers make a crucial contribution to the design and management of the course.
This keeps it relevant, up-to-date and closely in touch with changes in social work.
• We have long-standing partnerships with a wide variety of practice settings in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors.

Fee category Amount Home (UK students) £9,250 International Year 1 (2025/26): £18,500 Year 2 (2026/27): £19,200Year 3 (2027/28): £19,900 Fee category Amount Home (UK students) £9,250 International Year 1 (2024/25): £17,800Year 2 (2025/26): £18,500Year 3 (2026/27): £19,200 A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22.

Kingston University

Overview:

Kingston University London is a UK-based university recognized for its high-quality teaching and student experience. It features in the QS World University Rankings league table of the world's top universities.

Services Offered:

Kingston University offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Guidance and resources for academic success.

Career Services:

Support in finding internships, jobs, and career development.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options for students.

Wellbeing Services:

Mental health support, counseling, and other resources.

International Student Support:

Dedicated services for international students, including visa assistance and cultural integration programs.

Library and Learning Resources:

Extensive library facilities and online learning resources.

Student Union:

A vibrant student union with clubs, societies, and social events.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Kingston University provides a dynamic and engaging campus experience. Students can expect:

Active Student Union:

Opportunities to join clubs, societies, and participate in social events.

Vibrant Campus Life:

A lively campus environment with a range of activities and events.

Supportive Community:

A welcoming and supportive community of students and staff.

Location Advantages:

Located in Kingston upon Thames, a historic town with excellent transport links to London.

Key Reasons to Study There:

TEF Gold Rating:

Recognized for its high-quality teaching and outstanding student experience.

Future Skills Focus:

Emphasis on developing future-ready skills through embedded modules in all undergraduate courses.

Strong Industry Links:

Close connections with businesses and industries, providing opportunities for internships and career development.

Diverse and Inclusive Environment:

Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Academic Programs:

Undergraduate Study:

A wide range of undergraduate programs across various disciplines.

Postgraduate Study:

Master's and doctoral programs in various fields.

Research:

Active research programs with a focus on areas like healthcare, technology, and the arts.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships:

Opportunities to combine work and study through apprenticeships.