Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Social Work

Overview

A Social Work degree opens the door to a profession which is varied and aims to improve people’s lives. It is more than simply ‘helping people’ and will involve a striving to create change. You may find yourself supporting someone who is distressed, or perhaps empowering someone in need of advice or even involved in protection work to ensure people and children are safe, well and healthy. Social Workers not only focus on day-to-day matters, but also consider the bigger issues that affect people’s lives such as poverty, trauma and disadvantage. However, it is our core values and practical skills which make social work distinctive from other professions. Social Work students possess transferable skills which are valued by many employers and at the University of Suffolk, graduates experience high levels of employment.

The course is underpinned by a commitment to social justice, where we bring together theory and practical skills through learning and teaching excellence, high-quality research and contemporary professional skills and practice learning experiences. If you share our passion for understanding and addressing the effects of oppression, racism and discrimination and strive to promote fairness and equity this course is ideal for you, and opens the door to a diverse career in social work.

In addition to our academics who are leading in their field, the course is embedded with people with lived experience and practitioner involvement to prepare you to reach your potential as a confident and capable Social Worker.

The course is approved by the profession’s regulator, Social Work England, and is mapped against the following:

• Social Work England Professional Standards (2019)
• BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (2018)
• Institute for Apprenticeships Social Worker (Integrated Degree) Standard (2022)
• QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Work (2019)

Upon graduation students will be eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England.

Course Modules

Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' - more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.

Our BA (Hons) Social Work focuses on providing you with a range of diverse opportunities to become critical, analytical and reflective thinkers. The course equips you with the knowledge, skills and values to be an effective social worker in a variety of settings. You will achieve a recognised social work qualification with eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England.

Full-time students take up to five modules per year, with a combination of practice learning experiences, block and year-long modules. Part-time students negotiate their study of pattern with the course team and typically take the block and year-long modules or practice learning experiences on alternate years.

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Select course year Year 1, Year 2, Year 3

Preparation for Social Work Practice (Mandatory)

This module prepares students and assesses their suitability to commence direct practice in line with the BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (2018) level of ‘Readiness for Practice and the Social Work England Professional Standards' Social Work England Professional Standards (2019)

Human Behaviour and Lifespan Development (Mandatory)

The individual moves through various stages of the lifespan and this module, offers students the opportunity to examine the implications of a development process and life stages on the individual’s behaviour. The module introduces students to the conceptual frameworks of human development from pre-birth to old age, encompassing both ‘normal’ and atypical development.

Social Change and Social Justice in Social Work (Mandatory)

This module introduces students to a range of key theories and major themes drawn from sociology and rooted in social justice. Students will develop their “sociological imagination” and engage with concepts and debates to challenge their assumptions and long-held beliefs. The module will promote students’ curiosity and encourage them to question themselves and the world that they live in, providing a space to broaden understandings of their personal and professional value base and their developing professional identity.

Values, Ethics and Dilemmas in Social Work Practice (Mandatory)

Social Work England professional standards (2019) require that all practitioners reflect on their personal and professional values (Standard 4.8) to ensure that practice is safe, ethical and operates within anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory frameworks. The module enables students to critically reflect on their own personal values, explore the value base that underpins social work practice, appreciate that social work is full of ethical dilemmas, that practitioners need to sensitively navigate, and understand the damaging consequences of discrimination on individuals and groups.

Effective Communication for Direct Practice (Mandatory)

The ability to communicate effectively is an important life skill. It can be argued that the accomplishment of effective communication is the foundation upon which social work practice is formed. This module will support the development of students to become accomplished communicators with people that access services, managers and other professionals both within and outside of social care.

Social Work with Adults: Law, Policy and Practice (Mandatory)

The key aim of this module is to enable students to discuss, analyse and evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of national legislation and how policy is applied at regional and local levels. Contextualising social work practice with adults within a legal, political, social and economic framework, students will be encouraged to analyse and evaluate the constraints and opportunities which arise within this continually changing context.

Social Work with Children and Families: Law, Policy and Practice (Mandatory)

Social workers must act to protect children and support them and their families. Children’s wishes and feelings must be sought and listened to and at the same time decisions must be taken in their best interests. Having knowledge of the law (including human / children’s rights legislation), procedures, ethics, and research including learning from Child Safeguarding Practice reviews, as well has being skillful in working directly with children and families and effectively communicating with them and with other professionals, is the foundation of excellent practice.

Social Work Research (Mandatory)

Research underpins the social work knowledge-base, shaping and informing the profession. The module will promote students’ curiosity, through developing a questioning approach and encourage a critical appreciation of a variety of different research approaches supported through the development of design, evaluation and analysis skills. Students will engage with the principles, practice and integrity of research and progress their knowledge on the effective use of research findings.

Mental Health and Social Justice for Children and Adults (Mandatory)

It is essential that social workers have a good knowledge and understanding of mental health and personal distress from a range of theories, law, lived experience perspectives and practice knowledge. These issues will be particularly explored in relation to social justice, including the tensions and dilemmas this raises for contemporary social work practice.

Assessed Practice Learning Year 2 (Mandatory)

Social Work students are required to spend 170 days gaining required experience and learning in practice settings. Each student must have experience in at least two contrasting practice settings. At level 5 students will undertake assessed practice learning of at least 70 days for the academic year.

Contemporary Issues in Social Work Policy and Practice (Mandatory)

Utilising social justice and human rights perspectives, this module encourages learners to become critical, curious and inquiring when debating contemporary social work issues and concerns, not least the continuing impact of austerity, cost of living crisis and financial issues facing many local authorities and indeed charities providing social work services. The module thus responds to real time changes or emerging trends in social work policy and practice.

Assessed Practice Learning Year 3 (Mandatory)

Social Work students are required to spend 170 days gaining required experience and learning in practice settings. Each student must have experience in at least two contrasting practice settings. At level 6 students will undertake assessed practice learning of at least 100 days for the academic year.

Research Dissertation (Mandatory)

This module provides social work students with an opportunity to exercise their independent judgement and skills in the development and execution of a dissertation relevant to the field of social work. Students will investigate a topic of their own choice and develop the skills of project planning, design, analysis and critical evaluation.

Entry Requirements

UK Academic Requirements

• 112 UCAS Points (or above)
  • BBC (A-Level)
  • DMM (BTEC)
  • Merit (T Level)
  • Access to HE Diploma (in Sociology, Law or Psychology but not essential) 45 Level 3 credits at Merit grade or above.

Non-Academic Requirements

• GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4, or an approved Level 2 equivalent such as Level 2 Functional Skills.
• Any offer of a place will be subject to:
  • Successful Interview
  • Two satisfactory references
  • Satisfactory Enhances Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
  • Applicants are required to provide additional disclosures concerning current and historical information around Safeguarding, any previous employment concerns or enquiries into standards of professional behaviour. This information is considered separate to the standard admissions process and is not discussed during the interview.

International Requirements

• IELTS 7.0 overall is required where English is not the student's first language.

Transferring Credit

• If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.

Career Opportunities

We know how important employability is when considering degree courses. Social work graduates have a wide range of options upon graduation and are in great demand in the UK – from Social Workers within a local authority, the independent or private and voluntary (PVI) sector to careers involving research, education and beyond. Social Workers also work within many fields, such as:

• Mental health
• Child protection
• Youth justice
• Health

You could also work alongside older people, refugees and asylum seekers, children and families, people with disabilities, foster carers and adopters, and more.

What this means is that a career in social work can be varied and opens the door to many, different opportunities!

Upon graduation students will be eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England.

Fees and Funding

2025/26

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,535 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fees: £1,589 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,090 per year

2026/27

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,535 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fees: £1,589 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,090 per year

Facilities and Resources

Whatever you choose to study, you will learn in state-of-the-art surroundings. We have invested across the University to create an environment showcasing the latest teaching facilities enabling you to achieve great things.

Every teaching room has state-of-the-art AV equipment enhancing students learning experience and spread across the open study areas there are approximately 50 iMacs. The dual function technology allows students to choose between Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac software, allowing students to utilise the technology that best supports their chosen field of study.

The Waterfront Building supports flexible learning with open study on all floors, where students can access networked computers.

How to Apply

To study this course on a full-time basis, you can apply through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

Your Course Team

• Maria Marrinan: Course Leader on the BA (Hons) Social Work and (Apprenticeship) programme.
• Dr Jo Finch: Professor of Social Work and Post Graduate Research.
• Garfield Hunt: Qualified social worker and Senior Lecturer.
• Leanne Alcock: Senior Lecturer in Social Work with more than a decade of industry experience.
• Gina Lodge: Academic Administrator within the School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
• Sheila Leighton: Senior Lecturer in Social Work.