About the BA (Hons) Social Work
NTU has been running a social work degree since 1998 and is accredited with the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to run the new social work award. The curriculum follows Department of Health and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) requirements.
We work closely with employers in the statutory and independent sectors to ensure the course contents retains a focus on the people entitled to use the services and to make sure you are ready for professional practice when you qualify.
Course structure
The curriculum is focused on:
- interpersonal and communication skills
- social work law and public policy
- inter-agency practice, partnership and collaboration
- working with children, young people, families, adults, groups and communities
- human growth and development
- issues of particular interest and preference.
Professional recognition
This qualification means that successful graduates will be registered as social workers with the professions regulator. This replaces the need for a separate Dip SW.
Please be aware that social work training is involved in a process of review and some information may change.
Please note the following information for applicants
BA (Hons) Social Work course content
You will complete a specialist range of core modules throughout the course that are designed to ensure that all core competencies of practice are addressed. It combines a range of themes from sociology, psychology, policy and ethics alongside modules that are more focused on developing key transferable skills.
Year One
Core modules:
- Assessment and Intervention Strategies
- Skills for Study and Practice
- Key Themes in Social Work
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Human Growth and Development
- Foundation Practice (placement) - 50 days.
Year Two
Core modules:
- Evidenced Based Social Work
- Legal Context for Practice
- Social Policy within the Context of Social Work
- Developing Reflective Practice
- Statutory Intervention and Protection
- Intermediate Practice (placement) - 70 days.
Year Three
Core modules:
- Working with Adults
- Working with Children, Young People and Families
- Dissertation
- Organisation and Management
- Final Practice (placement) - 80 days.
The full-time, three-year Social Work course includes 200 days practice experience assessed through the National Occupational Standards. The bulk of practice will take place in block placements in Years Two and Three.
How will I learn?
Staff use a range of innovative teaching and learning techniques including audio podcasts and discussion boards on the University's virtual learning environment. During the course you will have the opportunity to produce a presentation on a platform of your choice, be it a blog, Google site or YouTube channel.
You will also experience a variety of other teaching techniques including:
- formal lectures
- workshops and seminars
- role-play and group exercises
- paper presentations
- audio-visual presentations
- IT-based exercises
- work-based experience.
During your time on the course you will also have the support of a personal learning adviser who will work with you on both academic and the work-based learning parts of the course.
Assessment
The assessment requirements develop through to the final year when you will be demonstrating graduate level skills in understanding and critical analysis. You will be assessed through a combination of essays, presentations, research projects, online tests and written examinations.
Expert staff
You will be taught by a teaching team who are qualified professionals and combine practitioner backgrounds with a strong academic portfolio. The team come from a range of professional environments in social work and the health and social care sector.
We're here to support you
This degree attracts a diverse student group and we pride ourselves on our welcoming and supportive environment. The course team is committed to providing effective guidance and support. All students have a learning advisor to support them with academic or personal problems and encourage personal development planning through the course of their studies.
Your future career in social work
Social work is a regulated profession. All social workers must register with the regulator and agree to abide by a code of practice. Once you have acquired the degree you will spend a further year in assessed employment before becoming licensed to practice.
The course has an excellent employability record and many of our students enter the profession by working in services for children or adults. Opportunities may also exist in social services departments, the private and independent sector, educational welfare, services such as guidance providing agencies, careers services and youth justice.
Social work is very demanding and carries a lot of responsibility. Please be aware that social work training is involved in a process of review and some information may change.
We've got an excellent employability record. 94% of our graduates* from full-time undergraduate courses are employed or engaged in further study six months after leaving.
(*of those available for work, HESA survey 2009 / 10)
The social work job titles below give an indication of the careers our recent graduates are following:
- Case Manager
- Children In Care Social Worker
- Community Care Officer
- Education Link Worker
- Family Support Worker
- Intensive Supervisor and Surveillance Caseworker
- Parental Outreach Worker
- Primary Care Mental Health Graduate Worker
- Social Worker
- Youth Worker.
Graduate Destinations Database 2007 - 2010
As a key constitute of the curriculum you undertake a variety of work placements as part of this course, all of which are arranged and assessed by the University in partnership with social work organisations. We have well established partnerships with local social work agencies that provide placements in a variety of settings primarily in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
The block placements in Years Two and Three provide an opportunity to experience being a full-time social worker in a supported environment, and these form an integral part of the assessment process. We also offer an unusual opportunity to complete a couple of shorter placements in Year One and ensures that you will gain an understanding of the links between theory and practice which are fundamental to the philosophy of the Social Work qualification.
We will help you to find a placement relevant to your career of choice.
Full entry requirement details
- 260 minimum UCAS Tariff points achieved from a maximum of three A-levels or equivalent qualification.
- Five GCSEs grade C or above
- GCSE English Language and Maths grade C or above
- As part of the selection process applicants will be required to undertake an interview and written test
- You will be required to complete a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure
- There may also be other recommendations before any placements can be undertaken
In addition to the entry requirements listed above, you will also need to:
- take part in an interview with a lecturer and practitioner or service user and complete a written test
- demonstrate an understanding of the role of a social worker and current social work issues
- demonstrate in your application your motivation to do the course
- outline any relevant professional experience in your application - either paid or voluntary which specifically demonstrates your suitability to practice Social Work
- provide a satisfactory Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure (which includes proof of identity)
- provide a satisfactory health declaration.
There may also be other recommendations, such as a vaccination programme, before any placements can be undertaken.
English language entry requirements
See the English language entry requirements for courses at the School of Social Sciences and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University.
Application and selection
Selection is based on the application form. All applicants and potential applicants are encouraged to attend one of our open days. Applications are made through UCAS where you can apply directly online. Mature or international students can find out more about applying by calling +44 (0)115 848 4460. We have a strong commitment to maintaining access for all to higher education. We recognise the need to invest financially in the future of our students, so we have introduced a system of bursaries aimed at enabling home students from lower income families to undertake a degree course. For information about Nottingham Trent University bursaries please visit the Fees and funding pages.
Contact us
Email
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4460
School of Social Sciences website
