BA (Hons) Social Work
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- L501
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Why you should choose us
4th
UEA is ranked 4th overall for research quality in Social Work and Social Policy
Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis100%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course Overview
If you’re compassionate and curious about people, interested in society and motivated by a strong sense of social justice, social work is for you. Social work is about working with people, usually to help them to achieve their goals, and sometimes to protect them or others. At UEA, we see social work as a practical and ethical profession that helps people and makes a difference to their lives. You could work with children, young people, parents, people with mental health problems, people with physical disabilities or learning disabilities, older people, and with relatives and friends who care for them.
Many of our lecturers are actively involved in research and nearly all are experienced practitioners. Importantly, current practitioners and people with lived experience are involved in teaching activities across the course. This means our teaching draws on leading research, while providing you with a direct insight into the latest social work issues and evidence-based practice. We combine teaching that emphasises reflective and relationship-based practice, with the latest research and excellent placement opportunities.
You’ll learn about the theoretical foundations of social work, which are rooted in psychology and sociology. You’ll explore social policy and the laws surrounding working with children and families, people with mental health issues, and vulnerable adults. Throughout your three years, you’ll focus on what it means to work with individuals, families, groups, fellow social workers and other professionals.
We're part of the Suffolk and Norfolk Social Work Teaching Partnership, which ensures social work education in the region meets the needs of students and employers. The partnership ensures you’ll have practice placements in two contrasting settings managed by qualified practice educators who’ll guide and assess your practice.
After you graduate, and register as social worker with Social Work England, your first job could be working with children, young people, parents, people with mental health problems, people with physical disabilities or learning disabilities, older people, and with relatives and friends who care for them. When you join our community at UEA you’ll train to become a first-rate social work practitioner and you’ll graduate ready to start your social work career.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you’ll study four compulsory modules which will provide you with a foundation to build your understanding of social work as a profession. You’ll discover key theories in psychology and sociology and consider how these are applied in practice. This will include learning about observation as a process and how it relates to understanding. You’ll also be introduced to social work as a regulated profession and gain an understanding of the context for social work.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your first year, you’ll have around 12 hours of timetabled teaching per week. Each session will have additional reading highlighted by the lecturer. You’re encouraged to read widely to deepen your understanding in preparation for your formative and summative assignments. Alongside this, in semester one, you’ll need to complete an ethnographic walk and court visit, followed by a shadowing placement in semester two. You’ll also meet with your academic adviser individually and in groups each semester at set times to support your studies.
Assessment
Assessment
In each module, you’ll undertake a formative assessment, on which you’ll receive feedback. This will help prepare you for your summative assessment which contributes to your overall mark. All summative assessments must be passed before you can progress to the next year of study.
You’ll experience a range of assessment methods, including essays, presentations, and role-plays.
Feedback
You’ll receive constructive feedback on your formative and summative assessments to encourage your development. We aim to return feedback within 20 working days.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll study three compulsory modules designed to develop your understanding of social work. You’ll learn how people can develop across the life of the course and how the professional relationship matters. Furthermore, you’ll see the importance of the legal and social policy contexts on social work practice as you put your learning into practice on your Level One 70 days) placement.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
The amount of teaching varies in year two, but you’ll average around 18 hours per week of lectures and seminars in semester one. In semester two the contact time increases, and you’ll average 37 ½ hours per week for your level one placement.
Assessment
Assessment
Each module includes a formative assessment, on which you’ll receive feedback to help you prepare for your summative assessment which contributes to your overall mark. All summative assessments must be passed before you can progress to the next academic year.
You’ll experience a range of assessment methods including essays, presentations, an exam, a case study and practice-based portfolio.
Feedback
As in year one, you’ll be given constructive feedback on your formative and summative assessments to support your development. We aim to return your feedback within 20 working days.
Structure
In your third year, you’ll study three compulsory modules designed to build an understanding of social work practice by increasingly looking at the complexity and specialist nature of social work. You’ll encounter key aspects of safeguarding adults and children and build your practical experience through the Level Two (100 days) placement. Your undergraduate learning journey ends with a literature-based dissertation on an area of social work that you’re passionate about.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Your final year ranges from 10 hours per week during teaching periods to 37 ½ hours per week during your level two placement. The course concludes with self-directed study as you complete your dissertation.
Independent study
As a degree student, you’ll also study independently, with the support and guidance of your module organisers. This helps you prepare for a career where you’ll never stop learning. In your final year, you’ll complete an individual dissertation, which will involve a significant amount of library-based research. Once again, you’ll be supported and guided in this process, to help you achieve the best possible final mark.
Student voice
We're totally committed to the continued development of our teaching quality. We provide you with a number of ways to feedback on teaching and the course, for example through module reviews, debriefing meetings, and the Staff-Student Liaison Committee. Each helps us to monitor, evaluate and develop our programme.
Assessment
Assessment
As in previous years, you’ll undertake a formative assessment in each module, on which you’ll be offered feedback. This will help you prepare for your summative assessment which contributes to your overall mark. Summative assessments must be passed before you can complete and progress.
As before, you'll experience a range of assessment methods including essays, presentations, a case study, dissertation and practice-based portfolio.
Feedback
You’ll receive constructive feedback on your formative and summative assessments to encourage your development, and we aim to return feedback within 20 working days.
