Course summary
The course is designed for students who want to enter professional social work, a profession which engages with people who experience levels of social disadvantage and/or discrimination. Typically you will want ‘to make a difference’ to help enhance people’s lives at a personal and structural level; to counter discrimination and oppression. The course will equip you with the appropriate knowledge and skills, as well as encouraging and enabling you to explore the value base necessary for qualified social workers. It will also prepare you for 170 days of practice over two placements. This course will prepare you for social work practice and make you eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England (SWE) as a Social Worker which is mandatory for practice within the UK. At the point of graduation you will have met the requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) for qualifying social work programmes and you will also have a broad academic and practice based understanding of social work through placement experiences, supported by wide reading and research. All teaching staff on the course are qualified and registered social work practitioners, drawn directly from social work practice. Their varied experiences and expertise will enhance your opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of social work and social care. Mental Health, Children and Families, Child Protection, Learning Difficulties, Adult Care, Palliative Care, Fostering and Adoption, HIV/AIDS, Substance Misuse, and Youth Justice being just some examples of the diversity of experiences on offer. The social work course is developed around the professional body (SWE), National and European requirements. The course at the University of Wolverhampton has some excellent features including: Successful completion of the BA (Hons) Social Work enables you to apply to (SWE) for Registered Social Worker status. It is a generic qualification that enables you to work as a qualified social worker within statutory, private/independent and voluntary sector organisations. The generic nature of the course means that, on qualification, you can choose your preferred area of practice and, as a qualifying degree it is recognised both nationally and internationally. On qualifying many people choose to work for an employer who is part of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) scheme. This government funded scheme provides additional support to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW’s) during the first 12 months of employment. Participating employers offer training that directly relates to your new role, more frequent supervision and a reduced caseload. One of the benefits of a career in social work is the range of opportunities available. Whether you choose a career working with children and families, in youth justice, with older adults, people with learning or physical disabilities or in mental health services you will find a range of career paths available. Many people progress to Senior Social Worker/Senior Practitioner posts and assume more supervisory and management responsibilities before moving on to management positions. Alternatively, you may find that you prefer to remain in practice and/or develop specialist skills in a particular area. As a registered professional you will be required to maintain your registration and show evidence of continual professional development (CPD) throughout your working life. There are a range of additional specialist qualifications that you can pursue. For example, you may go on to become an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), Best Interests Assessor, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) Assessor. Some people choose to develop the academic side of their career by studying for a Masters Degree or PhD; others become involved in teaching, training and the supervision of student placements.
How to apply
You can no longer submit a new application for courses starting in 2024.
If you already have a 2024 application and are in Clearing, you can add this course as a Clearing choice – contact the university or college first to check they have places.
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:
- W75
- Campus name:
- University of Wolverhampton
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 points
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 9 credits P: 6 credits
T Level - M
Relevant work experience, especially in a social care or health setting is desirable. Applicants will also be required to provide satisfactory personal statement and two references (academic and employer). A minimum of 3 months work experience in a relevant area such as a social care or health setting, paid or on a voluntary basis is highly desirable. We also consider life experience for example, if you are or have been a carer or if you have experience of the care system and are able to reflect on these experiences we would consider your application. Those meeting the entry requirements may be shortlisted for interview and will be invited to an assessment day where you will be assessed in comprehension, verbal ability and suitability for social work. Interview panels will include, whenever possible, employer and service-user/carer representatives. Due to the professional nature of this course you are also required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. Arrangements for Social Work registration are changing with the regulatory functions of the Health and Social Professional Council (HCPC) taking to be replaced by another body in the near future. Due to the nature of social work and the geographical location of social work practice placements, you will be expected to travel and this may be for up to an hour and a half (90 minutes) from where you live to the placement agency. You will also be expected to travel as part of the placement day from the placement office to meetings and to undertake visits to people in their homes. You must ensure you have the time required to travel and can meet the travel costs. Having a driving license and your own transport is advantageous. Those who do not meet the entry requirements may be offered an alternative course
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Due to the professional nature of this course you are also required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. Arrangements for Social Work registration are changing with the regulatory functions of the Health and Social Professional Council (HCPC) taking to be replaced by another body in the near future.
Health checks
Due to the professional nature of this course you are also required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. Arrangements for Social Work registration are changing with the regulatory functions of the Health and Social Professional Council (HCPC) taking to be replaced by another body in the near future.
Interview
Those applicants successfully shortlisted may be invited to interview. Interview panels will include, whenever possible, employer and service-user/carer representatives.
Other
Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check: Due to the professional nature of this course you are also required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. We will coordinate both of these non-academic conditions with you should you accept an offer with us. There will be no cost for the DBS this is free to applicants who have secured a Conditional offer and have chosen to study at the University of Wolverhampton. Applicants who are classed as ‘overseas’ for fee purposes (https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/Home-or-Overseas-fees-the-basics) will still be considered as long as their country of domicile is the United Kingdom and who do not require Tier 4 sponsorship or are in the UK on a Tier 2 visa. Please note than an offer of a place at the University does not guarantee eligibility for student funding. To confirm that you meet the residency criteria go to www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies or telephone SFE on 0300 100 0607
English language requirements
As an EU or International applicant you will need to showcase your English language proficiency skills during your admissions process. The below qualifications are accepted for a number of courses, please be aware these scores are a guide on what is acceptable. http://wlv.ac.uk/english We have a suite of courses that require differing English language proficiency, these requirements are there to ensure that you have the correct ability to achieve your desired qualification with us. You will also need to check each individual course page for accuracy as our Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies courses require specific English qualifications prior to entry.
English Language Requirements - EU and International Applicants
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Wolverhampton
Wulfruna Street
Wolverhampton
WV1 1LY