NTU Mansfield launches BA Hons Social Work degree financially supported by Nottinghamshire County Council

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in Mansfield is launching a new BA (Hons) Social Work degree commencing study in September 2025.

The three year full-time undergraduate degree will allow students to study on-site at NTU’s Mansfield Hub for the first time – previously only available on NTU’s City campus.

Students will be able to learn all the theory and practical skills needed for a career as a social worker, delivered by experts with over 170 years’ professional experience in the sector.

The course will give students the opportunity to develop new perspectives and challenge ideas from a wide range of sources including employers and local social work partners, and on graduation, will have a deep understanding of current practice.

Topics covered include the impact of digital tools in social work, from online assessments to communicating with service users through text and WhatsApp, how to understand human behaviour, responses to trauma and loss, and views on family and society.

Learning will comprise of a mixture of lectures, seminars, and workshops together with using some of the latest technology available to re-create real-world scenarios and case studies. However, study isn’t limited to the classroom, as there is a guaranteed 170 days of practice placements included as standard in years two and three.

There is also the potential for 10 students to be sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) for the duration of the course – with a bursary to pay course fees each year for three years and £2,000 per year contribution towards living expenses.

As part of the sponsorship, for these 10 students, Nottinghamshire County Council will guarantee two practice education placements in the Children and Families Department or Adult Social Care and Health Department. Upon graduation, employment opportunities will be offered with Nottinghamshire County Council in Mansfield, Ashfield or Bassetlaw.

To be eligible for sponsorship, prospective students must:

• Live in Nottinghamshire, or
• Be a Nottinghamshire County Council employee, and
• Agree to work for Nottinghamshire County Council as a social worker for three years after successfully completing the course

Nottinghamshire County Council will select successful recipients from the pool of eligible applicants.

Simon Cauvain, Head of Social Work, Care and Community at Nottingham Trent University said: “This course is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the Mansfield, Ashfield or Bassetlaw communities, where there is a need for qualified social workers. Social work is a challenging career, but hugely rewarding, and this course will give students the best preparation possible to become a professional social worker and be able to tackle big issues to help individuals and families in the local community.”

“Our social work degree isn’t just a course, it’s a chance to reflect on your own ideas and challenge yourself, and make you more resilient, determined and give you the passion to work in the sector. You’ll join the social work family, develop new connections and benefit from our years of experience and links in the industry.”

Colin Pettigrew, Executive Director for Children, Families and Cultural Services at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Nottinghamshire County Council is delighted to both be part of the partnership with NTU and West Notts College and to co-design this innovative programme. It is important that Social Workers and other public servants: teachers, nurses, police officers are representative of the communities that they serve and this degree will give people living in and around Mansfield, Ashfield and Bassetlaw not only the chance to study at degree level but also give them every opportunity to secure a professional qualification and a career at the end of it. Making a difference to local children, families and vulnerable adults.”

Andrew Cropley MBE, Principal and Chief Executive at West Nottinghamshire College said: “I am delighted that we have played a small part in creating another great opportunity for local people to access rewarding, well-paid and skilled careers, whilst meeting a very important skills need. I hope that our Access to Higher Education programme might provide a first step for some into these courses.”

More information on the course and how to apply can be found here.