Course summary
OVERVIEW The UWS BA (Hons) Social Work has been designed to provide you with the knowledge and practical experience to qualify as a practising social worker and it is approved by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). If you want to help improve the lives of others and kick-start your journey towards qualifying as a practising social worker, then the BA (Hons) Social Work is the place to start. This degree has been designed in collaboration with employers and service users to provide you with the knowledge and practical experience to qualify as a practising social worker. PRACTICAL FOCUS The first two years of the course cover the theoretical base for social work. The final two years concentrate on applying that theory and knowledge into practice on two practice learning placements. Placements are varied and have taken place in organisations, including: // Prisons // Children’s units // Hospices // Addiction teams // Women’s support and aid organisations In Year 3, you will complete 85 days of assessed practice learning placement in Term 2*. In Year 4, you will complete a social work dissertation and 115 days of assessed practice learning placement over Terms 1 & 2*. *Please note that start dates for placements can vary within the term, therefore your placement might run into Term 3. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION This degree has been approved by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) . CAREER PROSPECTS Jobs Your Social Work degree will qualify you to work in a wide range of settings both in statutory and voluntary roles within adult services, children and families and criminal justice sectors in Scotland, across the UK and in many other countries. Further Study Social Work graduates can further their studies to master's and research degrees.
Modules
In Year 1, you will combine modules in Sociology, Psychology and Social Policy with Social Work. Social Work modules explore values and ethics, discrimination and disadvantage along with understanding service failure in organisations. In Year 2, you will study modules including Life Span Development, Social Work Law and Communication Skills. Year 3 sees you combine academic studies with practice-based learning. Academic studies include modules in critical reflection on radical approaches to social work and a larger module applying theory to practice with a range of different needs including working with children, adults and criminal justice social work. In addition, you will complete 85 days of assessed practice-based learning in Term 2 (see PRACTICAL FOCUS section, above). Your final year of study, Year 4, focuses on the completion of a social work dissertation where you will focus on a topic of your choice.
Assessment method
Teaching covers a wide range of topics including assessment, critical reflection, anti-oppressive practice, legislation and theories to inform your practice as a social worker. In addition, teaching is research-informed, practice-focused and has been designed to enhance the necessary skills and qualities required for you to thrive in practice. Your studies contain a variety of formative and summative assessments, ranging from traditional exams and essays to case studies, group and individual presentations, real life scenarios (e.g. policy briefs, research proposals) or policy analysis and evaluation.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Scottish Social Services Council
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
25Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L500
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Dumfries Campus
- Campus code:
- D
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 points
A level - BBB
Scottish Higher - AABB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 27 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H1, H2, H2
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
T Level - M
Entry to Year 1 with Access to Primary Education; Access to Social Work. Applicants may also be considered with Access to Nursing.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 108 points
A level - BCC
Scottish Higher - BBBB
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Interview
Other
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
DUO LINGO In addition ot the above English Language tests, for 2022-23 entry, the University has approved the use of the online Duolingo English test as evidence of English language ability. UWS will accept an overall score between 90-115 with no component score below 90. For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £14500* | Year 1 |
| International | £14500* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE