Social Work BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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This course encompasses contemporary issues in social work practice, and it aims to give you the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be an effective social worker and make a positive difference to service users.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

L500

Start date

September 2024


Course overview

This course is designed to develop your professional knowledge and skills so that you may achieve a recognised social work qualification with eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England1.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will:

  • Have developed the knowledge, cognitive skills, ethical understanding and interpersonal skills necessary for qualified social work practice.
  • Be able to recognise and work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds in ways that balances the need to be sensitive to difference, cultural and otherwise, whilst remaining committed to upholding universal social work values.
  • Have developed the self-efficacy, autonomy, self-awareness, reflective ability, emotional intelligence and the organisational skills to work as an effective and empathic social worker.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

There aren’t many careers that make you feel like you are giving back to society in the way that social work can. Social work is much more than ‘helping people’. At its best, it helps save lives, protect vulnerable people from harm and enhances the life chances of those in social need. Approved by Social Work England, on successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply to Social Work England to register as a social worker (additional costs apply)1.

The course facilitates transformative learning through practice-led and research-inspired teaching. You will be taught by a dedicated team of experienced social work academics which currently includes academics with substantial practice and research experience across a range of social work practice settings, including children and families and adult practice (staff subject to change). The course is designed around the applicability of learning to practice through the use of real-life case studies, serious case review findings, and the involvement of social work practitioners and experts by experience, to enhance the student learning experience.

The teaching curriculum reflects the changing demographics of society and emerging social issues. The decolonisation of the curriculum is integrated so that graduates have the required skills and capabilities to practice with diverse groups of people presenting with the complexities of modern-day social problems. Social work by nature is embedded in making a contribution to the betterment of communities and promoting social justice, responsibility, sustainability and social responsibility. Many of the modules throughout the course are aimed at equipping you with the awareness of the nature, causation and impact on people of current social problems and how you may constructively and creatively respond to these.

You will be provided with a comprehensive induction programme to support the transition into a new learning environment. This induction is student-centred and aims to promote good communication and working relationships between staff and students. You will be supported through a range of university support services including welfare service, student success coaches and student mentors. You will also be allocated a personal tutor who can help provide academic, personal, pastoral and welfare support. The course also emphasises the development of your emotional literacy and intelligence capacity in order to promote resilience and psychological wellbeing to practice effectively as a social worker.

You will put theory into practice as you undertake a 70-day placement in year two and a 100-day placement in year three2,5. Practice placements are sourced by the university and are in a range of social work and care settings. On placement you will learn from complex situations and be supported by experienced social work practitioners. Your personal tutor also plays a key role in ensuring that practice placement provides a quality learning experience for you and that the course requirements are met.

The course has embedded the employability of graduates and a major stem throughout the degree programme by ensuring is ensuring currency in the curriculum. We will support you in your final year as you transition to employment through a range of initiatives with local employers.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Social Work England

Social Work England

The course is approved by Social Work England. Approval by Social Work England means that once you graduate, you can apply to register with Social Work England to start work as a qualified social worker (additional costs may apply). Should there be any change to the approval of this course, applicants will be made aware of this.


Memberships

The university is also an active partner on the West Midlands Teaching Partnership for Social Work. Close partnerships exist with employers and other higher education institutions in the Teaching Partnership, and there are particularly established links currently with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and several independent and voluntary organisations (subject to change).


What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum allows you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline where you will develop knowledge and skills to do with human growth and development, communication, legal and policy frameworks as well as theories, methods and models for social work practice, among others.

Modules

In year two, the 70-day placement2,5 forms an important part of the course as you move on to apply your knowledge and skills in real-life situations. Academic modules presenting knowledge and understanding support practice-based learning. There are modules in sociological theory, and its application to social work practice, and modules very much rooted in the practice environment, in which the current key themes in social work practice with children and families, and adults are examined.

Modules

In year three, you will complete your final 100-day practice placement2,5 which is complimented by modules in which the organisational context of social work, research findings and the evidence-base for social work practice are critically examined. A key aspect of the final year is to prepare you for employment as a Newly Qualified Social Worker.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

You will be taught using a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops supported by online content focusing on case based problem-solving approaches and skills development.

You will also have dedicated tutorial support for academic and personal development supported by online content. The course is designed around the applicability of learning to practice and thus a number of modules incorporate research through the use of real-life case studies, serious case review findings, and the involvement of social work practitioners and experts by experience, to enhance your learning experience.


Teaching contact hours

In year one you will receive around 15-18 hours teaching contact time per week. In year two you will receive around 12-15 hours teaching contact time per week and in year three you will receive around 9-12 hours of teaching contact time as you gradually move to more independent study as you progress through the programme. Teaching contact hours is made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and online synchronous learning. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 40 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Whilst on placement you are expected to work full-time. Social Work England define a placement day as usually no less than 7 hours (plus lunch break), but exact hours and working patterns may vary depending on the placement provider.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

The course adopts a variety of assessment methods, both formative and summative, which will vary depending on the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Coursework assignments
  • Case study analysis
  • Reflective writing
  • Test
  • Presentations
  • Practical interviewing
  • Portfolios

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

In recent years the faculty have offered international experiences2 and recently social work students have been involved in visits to places such as Finland and the Netherlands.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 120
A Level BBB
BTEC DDM in a Health-based subject
IB Diploma 30 points with 15 at Higher Level
Access to HE Diploma To include 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Health/Social Science units, plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above
GCSE requirement Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A*- C including English Language and Mathematics

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary, is very desirable. You will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses aptitude as part of the selection process. Applicants must have certificates at point of interview. Satisfactory health clearance and criminal records disclosure is also required5.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary, is very desirable. You will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses aptitude as part of the selection process. Applicants must have certificates at point of interview. Satisfactory health clearance and criminal records disclosure is also required5.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall (with at least 6.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

Social Work Bursary

A Social Work Bursary may be available to eligible home students for each year of study to help with living and travel costs. Read more about the Social Work Bursary.


Facilities

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building4 features a range of mock healthcare settings, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

Three students sat talking in community house living room.

Community houses

The Alison Gingell Building features two full-size homes which can be used for sessions simulating working scenarios with different client groups.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will have the requisite knowledge, skills and values to successfully enter the social work profession. The course has embedded the employability of graduates as a major stem throughout the degree programme by ensuring currency in the curriculum.

You’ll be encouraged to put theory into practice on placement in a range of social work and social care settings, learning from complex situations and being supported by experienced social work practitioners. You’ll be supported to develop the self-efficacy, autonomy, self-awareness, reflective ability, emotional intelligence and the organisational skills to work as an effective and empathic social worker. We will support you in your final year as you transition to employment through a range of initiatives with local employers.

On successful completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to apply to register as a social worker with Social Work England (additional costs may apply) and consolidate your identity as a Newly Qualified Social Worker. Previous graduates from social work qualifying programmes at Coventry University have had excellent career prospects in the caring professions, supported by our close links with local employers, who are actively involved in the design, delivery and assessment of the programme. There remain healthy employment rates in the local area for qualified local authority social workers, however previous graduates have also gone on to wider range of positions in the NHS and voluntary sector. 

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have benefited from particularly helpful working relationships with local employers who make up the West Midlands Teaching Partnership, and especially Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply

Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

Part-time students should apply directly to the university.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
HLSU262

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

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