BSc (Hons) Social Work

How will I learn during this BSc Social Work degree?

Our Social Work BSc (Hons) is delivered through a range of learning methods including lectures, stakeholder facilitated skills days, seminars and tutorials, as well as 170 days of assessed placements in the final two years of study. The applied nature of social work as an academic discipline means that practice is an essential core element of learning.

• Level 4: you will undertake a 20 day Skills in Practice Opportunity.
• Level 5: you will complete a supported and assessed 70-day practice learning opportunity in one of a range of placement settings.
• Level 6: you have a second supported and assessed placement of 100 days.

You will have the opportunity to learn collaboratively with students from other professional backgrounds as this is a foundation for shared learning and collaborative working practice.

Placements

As well as academic study, students will undertake one 20-day Skills in Practice Opportunity (approximately 150 hours) and two full time practice placements (approximately 500 hours in year 2 and over 700 hours in year 3) in social work settings. The placements provide opportunities for students to demonstrate they are able to meet the required Social Work England standards and Professional Capabilities for social work.

• See all the Modules for this course

Who will teach me during my BSc Social Work course?

You will learn from research-focused academics and registered social work practitioners with a diverse range of research-based and practice-based backgrounds and experience. Our academics and practice experienced staff range from being leaders in their research fields to social workers having practice-based understanding and experience of a diverse range of practice areas.

Our staff are currently leading research across a range of areas including; child protection, child criminal and sexual exploitation, autism, mental health, mental capacity and social justice, reflective and relationship-based supervision, narrative approaches to working with children and families, culturally appropriate practice, international social work and cross-professions working, palliative and end-of-life care, adoption and fostering, learning disabilities, problematic drug and alcohol use, social work practice simulation, trauma-informed teaching and practice and anti-stigmatising practice.

You will be supported with your journey through the BSc Social Work programme by a Personal Tutor. Your Personal Tutor will meet with you throughout the year and an independent Practice Educator will support you and provide supervision during your practice placement.

View all staff profiles.

Where will I learn throughout my Social Work degree?

You will have access to broad range of learning resources including lectures, seminars and skills workshops directly informed by practitioners and service user perspectives. Newly equipped simulation facilities allow you to develop practice skills in a safe learning environment in preparation for practice with service users.

The course is based at our Coach Lane campus which houses some of the most advanced facilities in the country. This allows us to ensure your learning evolves in-line with the latest developments in the profession.

You will have access to our University Library and well-equipped working space, The Hub, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Technology is embedded throughout all aspects of your degree and you will receive ongoing support through our innovative e-learning platform, Blackboard, where you can access module handbooks, assessment information, lecture presentation slides and reading lists.

How is Social Work research applied to my learning?

You will benefit from teaching that is  grounded in ‘real world’ practice experience in a range of specialist fields. Lecturers are research active across a range of specialist areas relevant to social work practice, which will be used to inform your study on the programme and support your development of evidence-informed practice.

A thriving inter-professional learning and research community within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences will enable you to make links with students on other professional programmes and to develop the skills and understanding required to become a research-minded practitioner.

How does studying at Northumbria prepare you for the future?

The importance of people being actively engaged in occupations throughout life and periods of ill-health, transition and change is becoming increasingly recognised on a local, national, and international level meaning now is a great time to enter this exciting profession.

Northumbria University boasts strong links with many local organisations and out calibre of graduates is respected throughout the profession, which can be beneficial to your future employment prospects. By successfully completing the Programme you will be eligible to seek registration as a social worker with Social Work England.

The Programme aims to offer opportunity, relevance, and enhanced employability to you through learning, teaching, and employer engagement. Qualified social workers have the opportunity to undertake social work post qualifying accredited programmes at Northumbria University.

What kind of Social Work jobs can I progress onto after my degree?

Many of our graduates from this course go on to work as social workers, dealing with children in need, caring for users with substance or alcohol misuse, people who are homeless or those suffering with mental health problems.

Graduates have successful careers in organisations such as local authorities or voluntary sectors, like the NSPCC, as well as going on to further education.