Social Work BA (Hons)
UCAS Code: L500|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Hope Park|UCAS Campus Code: L46Accredited|Work placement opportunities|International students can apply
About the course
Social workers overwhelmingly work with the most marginalised and oppressed within society. The people we work with in our professional lives face a range of difficulties and traumas. As social workers our task is to understand such traumas and offer support, help and guidance to those in need during times of trouble. Very often this means understanding the public causes of individual private pains. The Social Work degree is shaped by a very strong commitment to social justice.
As a Social Work student, you will study aspects of sociology, social policy, psychology, law, social theory and social work methods, skills and practices. You will explore barriers such as poverty, disability, racism and sexism that service users often face in society. Such barriers impact on people in a range of negative ways and it is important we understand the nature of the society in which we live and the way it can affect people in their lives. In your second and third years, you will undertake a total of 170 days in a social work setting.
The degree is taught by a teaching team who are all published in the field of social work and are experts in particular fields of the discipline. The School plays an important role in the Social Work Action Network (SWAN). SWAN is a national organisation within social work comprising practitioners, students, academics and service users. During your second year you will have the opportunity to undertake a social work placement in either India or Gambia, or a four-week mental health Summer School that includes an exchange trip to Michigan, USA We are the only social work course in England that offers you these options.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 25-30 students, and weekly tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students. There are a number of fieldtrips throughout your three years of study, and you also have the opportunity to have a one-to-one meeting with your tutor each week.
In your first year of study, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in your second and third years. On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group assessments you may have.
Accreditation
Our Single Honours Social Work Degree is accredited by Social Work England (SWE). Upon successful completion of the degree you will be eligible to register with SWE as a professional social worker.
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your three years of study you will have a number of assessments, including written exams, essays, posters, practice portfolios, and portfolios. In your final year you also complete a dissertation research project.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Year One
Introduction to Social Work
The first year of study provides you with the basic tools required to practice as competent student social workers. There are lectures in social policy, sociology, the life-course, initial social work skills and practice and preparation for practice. There will be input from service users and local agencies. You will have the opportunity to attend a field trip to the annual SWAN conference.
Year Two
Explorations in Social Work
In the first term you will study social theory, social work methods, law for social workers and research methods for practitioners. In the second term, you go out onto full-time placement. Placements last 70 days and run from 9am - 5pm for five days a week. In the second year, placements are in local private, voluntary or charity sector organisations. You may also attend a field trip to the annual SWAN conference.
Year Three
Advanced studies in Social Work
In your final year, you will further develop your knowledge about social work historically, nationally and internationally, practice knowledge and skills, your understanding of contemporary social work issues, working with service users and current research issues within social work. You choose a range of advanced social work seminars delivered by staff to reflect their academic interests and publishing schedules. Your third year also includes a placement in a statutory setting. Placements last 100 days and run from 9am - 5pm for five days a week between May and September. You may also attend the fieldtrip to the annual SWAN conference.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBB |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | Minimum of 120 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications. |
| BTEC | DDM |
| Access to HE | Minimum of 120 Tariff Points |
| IB | 28 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | Minimum of 120 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| Subject Requirements | In addition, you need a GCSE Grade C or above in English (Grade 4 or above in the new grading system). Offers will be subject to a successful interview, a satisfactory Health Check Statement and application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (unfortunately, due to requirements of the placement providers we are unable to consider any applicants with convictions within 5 years of the start of the course). Please note that this professional qualification can be greatly oversubscribed so applicants are advised to apply early. |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Non-UK applicants should achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment (or an equivalent assessment). We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
Social work equips you with the knowledge and skills required to apply for recognition as a qualified social worker. Social work skills are also highly transferable and valued by potential employers. By the end of your time with us you will be suitably qualified to embark on a career in social work. This could include (amongst others) working with children and families, older people, people with learning disabilities, people with disabilities, young people, drug and alcohol misusers, alongside homeless people or people with HIV and AIDS.
The vast majority of our graduates are in employment within six months of graduating.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
Studying Social Work at Liverpool Hope University includes 170 days on placement in professional settings. These placement opportunities provide you with the skills and knowledge to begin your successful career as a social worker.
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
Unfortunately the Study Abroad option is not available for this degree.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Additional costs
If you want to apply for membership of SWE once you graduate, there is an initial subscription fee, plus a biennial subscription fee – full details of costs can be found on the SWE website.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2022/23 are £12,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.