Introduction to Social Work
Undergraduate
BSc (Hons)
Social Work
School of Health and Society
Attendance
Full-time
Course
Three year
Next enrolment
September 2024
In a nutshell
Our BSc (Hons) in Social Work provides cutting-edge approaches to teaching and learning. By engaging you in a critical and meaningful approach to practice, the course will provide you with the knowledge, values and skills needed to begin to recognise and address some of the most difficult social problems facing individuals, communities and societies today.
This course comprises periods of academic study and practice learning in a social work or social care setting. These practice learning opportunities enable you to safely apply and develop the learning that has been advanced in practice.
This programme is approved by Social Work England.
We are extremely proud that our course is ranked in The Guardian University Guide 2023 within the top 10 for the UK.
You will:
- Study at one of the largest and most reputable providers of social work education in the UK
- Gain experience through placements provide by our partner agencies for experiential learning that may boost employment prospects
- Learn about leading developments and gain a solid foundation from which you can build practice, wisdom and the ability to work with safety and effectively with others
Placement
options available
International
students accepted
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
1.
You want to make a difference to other people's lives
2.
You can see yourself working in challenging but rewarding roles
3.
You have a compassionate and empathetic character
All about the course
Our approach to social work education reflects the important connections that exist between individuals, families and communities. We are one of the largest providers of social work education in the UK and we are proud of our ability to offer students a broad and solid foundation for professional social work practice and value opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experience with academics, professionals and experts by experience.
Want to hear more about the opportunities open to our students on this course? Click here to hear about our students putting their questions to a former Chief Crown Prosecutor.
Year one
This module will give you an introduction into the role of the social worker and the context you will practice in. You will be introduced to social work from the service user perspective and gain knowledge of social work values, ethics and conduct including the impact of personal values and ethics on practice
Contemporary Issues in Social Work
This module will provide an understanding of key social problems that impact on society today and help you consider how these problems reflect and contribute to wider inequalities in society. You will identify and understand the role of social work and social policy initiatives in working with these challenges.
Law and Policy for Social Work
This module will give you knowledge and understanding of the law and policy that is relevant to social work practice. The module will ensure you understand the roles and responsibilities of the social worker in relation to the legal context.
Skills for Social Work
This module will provide an opportunity to learn core social work skills for working directly with service users and to have an opportunity to practice those skills in a safe environment. The module will help develop your skills in preparation for your practice placements.
Human Growth and Development
An understanding of human growth and development is essential for social work practice. Social workers work with people at all life stages and this module will provide students with a knowledge base about human development from conception to death.
Theories and Interventions 1
This module will provide students with an introduction to some of the major theories used in social work practice. You will learn and understand key concepts underpinning theories and interventions and how to apply theory to interventions used in social work practice.
Year two
First Placement
In your second year you will undertake your first placement of 70 days, this placement will provide you with the opportunities to demonstrate through practice, with supervision and support, the knowledge, skills and values set out in Professional Capabilities Framework (end of first placement level capabilities) and the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Social Work.
Research Methods in Social Work
To ensure students have the relevant knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to evaluate research appropriately and apply findings to practice. To develop an understanding of the debates surrounding evidence-based practice in social work
Theories and Interventions 2
This module will help you develop a deeper, critical understanding of key theories and interventions in social work. You will evaluate critically the premises/characteristics/assumptions of commonly used social work theories and intervention methods and demonstrate application of theories and intervention methods to example practice situations drawing on first placement experiences.
Social Work with Adults
This module will help you to understand and critically examine the role of the social worker in Adult social work. You will develop knowledge and understanding of social work theory, models and interventions applicable to Adult social work.
Social Work with Children and Families
This module will critically examine the role of the social worker in children and family social work. It will help you to develop knowledge and understanding of social work theory, models and interventions applicable to children and family social work.
Year three
Final Placement
In your final year you will undertake a 100 day placement in an audited social work setting, which will provide you with the opportunities to demonstrate through practice the knowledge, skills and values set out in The Professional Capabilities Framework (Qualifying Social Worker Level Capabilities) and the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Social Work.
Applied Social Work Practice
This module will enable you to critically examine the role of the social worker in contemporary practice. You will reflect on ways in which social workers can continue to practice ethically, creatively and effectively in contemporary settings and analyse current and developing issues in the field.
Dissertation
This module enables students to plan and conduct an in-depth piece of research on a topic that contributes to professional social work practice. Students will be able to pursue their interest in specialist areas of social work.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
Our courses are informed by the latest research and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice.
What about after uni?
Social workers can expect to work in a wide variety of settings with differing career pathways that can take them to manage small voluntary sector projects or becoming commissioning managers. There are equally exciting careers to be had in the statutory and non-statutory sectors. Social work education also offers a challenging and rewarding career.
You can specialise in either adult or children's social work, providing services which could include:
- Working with people with mental health problems, learning difficulties or physical difficulties
- Providing assistance and advice that helps families stay together
- Providing support to younger people leaving care who are at risk or in trouble with the law
- Supporting older people to maintain their independence and wellbeing
As a professionally qualified social worker, you will be eligible to work in a variety of environments such as statutory, voluntary, independent or the private sector. You could also be employed by service users and carers.
Career Links
Social work has many links with a wide variety of agencies in the Greater Manchester area. We work with local authorities, not-for-profit agencies and the voluntary sector. We work with over 300 agencies and are involved in collaborative training with our local authority partners.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
Due to the nature of the social work profession, we aim to recruit empathic, committed people who have a passion for the welfare of others. If you can see yourself working in challenging and rewarding settings where you know you will make a difference, this will be the right choice for you.
Bursaries may be available for students on years two and three of the full-time programme only.
As part of the application process you might be invited to complete an assessment or attend an online activity - if this is the case we will contact you with further details.
Acceptance on the course is also subject to satisfactory health and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 7.0 with no element below 7.0. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.
Standard entry requirements
GCSE
Minimum grade C/ grade 4 in GCSE English Language. Level 2 equivalents such as functional or key skills can be accepted
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
120 points
BTEC National Diploma
DDM
Access to HE
120 points
Scottish Highers
120 points
Irish Leaving Certificate
120 points
European Baccalaureate
Pass in Diploma of at least 75%
T Level
Merit
If applying to start from September 2024, you will need T- Level – Health/Healthcare Science - Merit
Alternative entry requirements
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2024/25 | £9,250.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2024/25 | £15,720.00per year |
Additional costs
For more information about DBS, Occupational Health clearance, and immunisations, visit our page of: Information for Students
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our International Scholarships.
Social Work Student Bursaries
Funding may be available for social work students. Social Work Bursaries are provided and administered by Student Services, part of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). The number of bursary recipients for both part-time (MA) and full-time courses (BSc and MA) are limited (or ‘capped’). There is no guarantee you will receive a bursary even if your application is accepted and you take up an offer of a place on a social work course.
The number of social work bursaries allocated to each University varies from year to year. It is also important to note that bursaries are linked to a student engaged in a placement. If you are not on a placement you will not be eligible for an NHS bursary. The role of the University is to nominate social work students for bursaries. Thereafter the University must submit your enrolment and attendance information to NHSBSA for you to retain your bursary. Once you have been nominated for a bursary, by the University, the contractual relationship is between you as the student and NHSBSA, and not the University. The capping criteria are different for the BSc and MA degree programmes.
The capping criteria for the BSc Social Work are detailed below (in ranked order).
- Attendance
- Progression to level 5
- Academic results across level 4
- Subject to any disciplinary matters
NHS bursaries for BSc students are only available in your second and third year of study (and not for your first year of study).