Social Work - Distance Learning

Stage 2

Stage 2 enables you to develop knowledge and skills associated with social work practice. You will acquire an initial ability to demonstrate assessment and intervention skills with a range of client groups.There are three teaching blocks and one assessed placement during the 14 months of this Standard Entry stage.

• Induction teaching block week January
• Teaching block week June
• Pre-placement teaching block week - January
• 60 day placement (January - April)

Stage 3

For students progressing from Stage 2 or joining via Advanced Entry this stage is over a 13 month period and comprises of two teaching blocks and an assessed placement.

Stage Three enables the student to apply advanced social work skills to specific client groups. This will be demonstrated by a greater level of independent study and increasing competence in social work practice.

• Teaching block week - May
• Pre-placement teaching block week January
• 100 day placement (January June)

Stage 4

Stage Four enables you to engage in more advanced self-directed study and to acquire a critical and evaluative understanding of social work and related disciplines. You will also be developing your research skills culminating in the completion of a dissertation. This stage has two teaching blocks over a 15 month period.

• Teaching block week June
• Teaching block week January

Events

We have on campus and virtual events to help you find out more about study, student experience and future career paths.

Graduate Story

Learning Method

Work based degree delivered with a combination of on-campus learning, practice experience and tutor led learning supported by online resources.

There are two one-week on-campus teaching blocks per-calendar-year involving a variety of teaching methods and activities with 25 to 55 other students. In addition there will be some remote teaching sessions throughout the year. As well as online discussion groups, email and telephone contact with personal tutors, students benefit from regular group and/or individual tutorials, where appropriate, in their local area led by their personal tutor. All modules at each stage of the course are compulsory and developmental feedback will be provided for each module. Each stage of the course is worth 120 academic credits. The degree classification is based on the marks obtained for modules taken at Stage 4. Completion of studies will be ratified at the course Assessment Board which usually sits in October.

The online element of the course isdelivered through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE),CampusMoodle.

CampusMoodle offers you the flexibility of where and when you choose to study and gives you full open access to tutors and other class members. You will have the benefit of being part of a group of learners with the invaluable opportunity to participate in active, group-related learning within a supportive online community setting. The online campus provides you with course materials which include:

• Online activities
• Discussion forums - student and tutor led
• Up-to-date web technology for delivery methods
• User friendly material

Activity Summary

• Independent study -825 hours per stage
• Block teaching comprising lectures seminars and group learning - 45 students per group for 30 hours x 2 blocks per stage
• Tutorials, individual, group, face to face or remotely - up to 10 students for 8 hours per stage

How long is a BA (Hons) Social Work - Distance Learning course?

A Social Work - Distance Learning course can be completed part time, over:

• 2 years and 4 months (May start)
• 3 years and 8 months (January start)

Independent Study

There is a strong emphasis on independent study where you are encouraged to research materials. All modules will direct you to indicative and recommended reading.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Our class sizes are small, and this, along with a high level of contact time with staff, enables us to provide a friendly and supportive learning environment.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed eachyear:

Year 2

• 6 written assignments, including essays
• 1 practical skills assessment
• 1 group critique

Year 3

• 4 written assignments, including essays
• 1 portfolio
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 4

• 5written assignments, including essays
• 1 dissertation

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all coursework.