Social Work (3 year full-time course) - BSc (Hons)

Overview

To provide students with a high quality learning experience to acquire the knowledge, skills and values to obtain gainful employment in social work.

Summary

The Degree in Social Work was introduced in 2004 to meet the requirements of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, which, along with other Councils, agreed that all social work training would be offered at Honours degree level. One of the main features is the introduction of a pre-registration year . This means that when you complete the degree, you will then have to successfully undertake an assessed year in employment before being eligible for full registration as a Social Worker with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.

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The programme is for those who intend to work as professional social workers, and includes a substantial element of practice learning. You will undertake two contrasting practice placements - one of 85 days duration in Year 2, and one of 100 days duration in Year 3. The programme is recognised by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council for purposes of registration as a social worker.

Although the programme includes underpinning learning in the social sciences, such as social policy, psychology, sociology and law, the focus of the programme is on the development of skills, values and knowledge required for practice. You must successfully complete a preparation for practice module (Year 1,Semester II) prior to undertaking supervised practice learning on placement.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• 5 Health & Social Care Trusts
• Action Mental Health New Horizons
• Barnardos
• Women's Aid
• Extern
• Bryson Charitable Group
• First Housing

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Childrens Service Social Worker
• Hospital Social Worker
• Residential Support Worker
• Education Welfare Officer
• Family Support Worker
• Intensive Family Support Worker
• Project Worker

Career options

A social work career can lead to employment in a range of diverse settings, such as;
• family and childcare
• physical disability and learning disability
• drug and alcohol abuse
• mental health
• homelessness
• Older people

Some social workers follow careers in the criminal justice system, education welfare or in adoption and fostering.

Work placement / study abroad

There is an opportunity to participate in Erasmus+ which offers the exciting opportunity of studying in Germany during your course. There are also opportunities to complete a 3-week Summer School in Oslo during the course.

The Diploma in International Academic Studies (module code SWK302). This is a separate and additional award to the degree. Students will be provided with opportunities to reflect upon and assimilate their knowledge learned in the earlier parts of the programme through their work with service users in another country.

Professional recognition

Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)

Accredited by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC).

Apply directly

Next steps if you are applying directly:

1. find your course
2. check you meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements
3. If your first language is not English, check you meet the English language requirements for your given course