Program Overview

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Social Work Relevant Degree Entry

Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is a professional qualification in Social Work accredited by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (thereafter Social Care Council) and recognised throughout the UK, the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere. The programme is a combination of academic study and assessed practice learning opportunities. Practice Learning Opportunities are regionally allocated in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership and key stakeholders.

Highlights

• Global Opportunities: Engage with social work students from other countries to explore social work education and practice from an international perspective.
• Professional Accreditations: The Degree in Social Work is professionally accredited by the Social Care Council.
• Industry Links: Partnerships with service user and carer organisations across Northern Ireland assist in teaching and learning.

Course Structure

Introduction

Modules often draw on recent developments within policy, research, and theory. The teaching is research-informed and uses international comparisons. Service user involvement permeates all the modules, through direct involvement, research findings, or online or audio/visual resources.

Stage 1

• Semester One:
  • Introduction to Social Work
  • Law for Social Workers
  • Preparation for Practice Learning
• Semester Two:
  • Practice Learning Level 2
  • Evidence Informed Case Study Level 2

Stage 2

• Semester One:
  • Social Work with Children and Families
  • Social Work in Adult Services
  • Social Work in Criminal Justice and the Courts
• Semester Two:
  • Practice Learning Level 3
  • Evidence Informed Project Level 3

People Teaching You

• Dr. Danielle Mackle
• Dr. Gerry Marshall
• Dr. Mandi MacDonald
• Dr. Paul McCafferty
• Professor Audrey Roulston
• Professor Davy Hayes
• Professor Joe Duffy
• Professor Karen Winter
• Professor Lisa Bunting
• Professor Lorna Montgomery

Contact Teaching Hours

• Large Group Teaching: 9 hours maximum
• Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial: 5 hours maximum
• Personal Study: 24 hours maximum

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation, and best practice in learning, teaching, and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.

Assessment

• The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module.
• Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below.

Feedback

• As students progress through their course at Queen’s, they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources.

Facilities

• The School is located within a renovated building, with state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities, together with dedicated student space including a large common room.

What Our Academics Say

• “The degree equips students with the knowledge, values, and skills required for effective social work practice. We have developed important partnerships with service user and carer organisations across Northern Ireland who assist us in these important aspects of teaching. At a very early stage in the course, students visit these groups in their own community settings as part of their teaching on the real meaning of social work values. We are very proud of these important teaching partnerships developed at Queen’s.” - Professor Joe Duffy

Modules

Core Modules

• Introduction to Social Work (20 credits)
• BSW RGR2 Placement Preparation Sessions (0 credits)
• Evidence Informed Case Study (RGR2) (40 credits)
• Practice Learning RGR2 (20 credits)
• Preparation for Practice Learning (20 credits)
• Law for Social Workers (20 credits)

Core Modules

• Practice Learning Level 3 (20 credits)
• BSW Level 3 Placement Preparation Sessions (0 credits)
• Evidence Informed Project (Level 3) (40 credits)
• Social Work in Criminal Justice and the Courts (20 credits)
• Social Work in Adult Services (20 credits)
• Social Work with Children and Families (20 credits)

Entrance Requirements

• Students with a relevant Honours degree (minimum standard 2.2) will be considered for admission to a shortened two-year course leading to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
• A relevant degree is deemed to be an Honours degree where at least one-third of the course passed at Honours level comprises one or more of the following: Sociology, Psychology, Social Policy/Social Administration; and degrees in Law, Teaching, Nursing, Community Work, Youth Work, Early Childhood Studies, Criminology, Health and Social Care, Occupational Therapy, Human Communication/Counselling, Social Anthropology, Housing Studies, or other cognate subjects.

Interview

• Applicants being considered for an offer will be invited to participate in a face-to-face interview to assess their suitability for Social Work training.

Note

• All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
• All applicants must have GCSE Mathematics minimum Grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

How We Choose Our Students

• Download "How we choose our students" PDF

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events, and contacts for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

• An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at:

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

• Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University.

Career Prospects

• Studying for a social work degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills, knowledge, and values valued by employers, professional organisations, and academic institutions.

Employment after the Course

• Queen’s graduates are well regarded by many Social Work employers (statutory and voluntary).
• According to data provided by the Social Care Council, 80% of Social Work graduates are registered for their Assessed Year in Employment (AYE) within 6 months of graduation.

Prizes and Awards

• The highest achieving students in Social Work are awarded the annual Brian Rankin Prize with the highest achieving student receiving the Brian Rankin medal.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

• In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic, and employability skills.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) £4,855
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) £4,855
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) £9,535
• EU Other £20,800
• International £20,800

Additional Course Costs

• Students are responsible for funding travel costs to and from placements in years 1 & 2 and in undertaking module SWK1005/2017 (Introduction to Social Sciences for Social Work) in year 1.
• A registration fee of £20 is payable annually to NISCC for student Social Workers.

How to Fund Your Study

• There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Scholarships

• Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students.
• Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

• Information on scholarships for international students, is available at:

How to Apply

• Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
• Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at:

Terms and Conditions

• After an offer is made this will be notified to applicants through UCAS.
• Confirmation will be emailed by the Admissions and Access Service and this communication will also include Terms and Conditions which applicants should read carefully in advance of replying to their offer(s) on UCAS Track.

International (Non-EU) Students

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) STUDENTS
• Applying through agents and partners
• The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application.