Course summary

Would you like to make a real difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities? Would you like to prevent harm, neglect and abuse? The course has a long standing history of delivering the social work degree going back to the late 1980’s. We have a small and friendly team with a great wealth of experience covering a range of areas of expertise. We have approximately 25 students in each year group and this enables us to have small teaching groups and offer a high level of tutorial and academic support to students. Students also benefit from regular sessions presented by service users and carers groups. Service user and carer input on the programme is integral to its design and delivery for which it has been commended. Current social work practitioners assist in the delivery of modules by virtue of the well-established relationship between the college and social work agencies. Students complete placements within social work settings of 70 days in year 2 and 100 days in year 3. The majority of placements are in Worcestershire and will often require students to be able to travel to and whilst on placement. The course is validated by Birmingham City University (BCU). On completing the programme, students receive their degree from BCU and are eligible to apply to register as a social worker.

Course details

Modules

YEAR ONE
– The Professional Learner and Safe Practitioner
– Skills Development
– Applied Psychology and Human Development
– Sociology: Themes and Perspectives in Social Work
– Ethics and Values of Social Work
– Development and Delivery of Social Welfare Provision

YEAR TWO
– Law for Social Work Practice
– Advanced Social Work Skills
– Assessment and Intervention, Theories and Methods
– Understanding Research in Practice
– Practice – Developing Capability

YEAR THREE
– Practice – Achieving Capability
– The Competent Practitioner
– The Research and Policy Context of Social Work Practice
– The Professional Learner: Independent Study Module

Assessment method

Students are assessed using a variety of methods including assignments, individual and group presentations and direct observations. There is also an exam for the Law Module in year 2.

How to apply

Application deadlines

If your application is completed by the following date, it’s guaranteed to be considered:

15 January

*If you apply after this deadline, universities or colleges don’t have to consider your application if they’ve filled their spaces, so the sooner you apply, the better!

Application codes

You will need these codes when you add a choice to your application.

Course code	L500
Institution code	H19
Campus name	Osprey House
Campus code	O

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Qualification	Offer	Further information
UCAS Tariff	96 points

• GCSE at Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics (formerly Grade C). Equivalent qualifications such as Key Skills Level 2, Adult Numeracy Level 2, Adult Literacy Level 2, Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2 or CSE Grade 1 will be accepted
• 96 UCAS tariff points
• At least 6 months relevant social care experience, whether paid or voluntary. We can also take into account personal experience of social care
• 2 references are required before an offer of a place can be made; an academic reference and a reference commenting on suitability for social work as evidenced during experience in social care
MATURE APPLICANTS
Applications from mature applicants are particularly welcomed, where they will be assessed on their ability to benefit from and be successful on the course via a range of range of alternative qualifications and experience. This is often demonstrated through the achievement of a level 3 qualification in a relevant area.
OTHER CONDITIONS
• Satisfactory health check
• Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

The College has a commitment to widening participation in Higher Education, and will therefore give careful consideration to prior experiential learning, non-traditional qualifications and qualifications obtained outside of the United Kingdom.

Additional entry requirements

Interview

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Admission tests

Institutions Own Test (IOT)

Written Exercise (IOT). Where Level 3 qualification is not recent, you may be asked to undertake a written exercise prior to being shortlisted for interview. All shortlisted applicants must undertake a written exercise on selection day. For the first year entry of this course you will be assessed by interview

Institutions Own Test (IOT)

Group Exercise. All shortlisted applicants must undertake a group discussion activity on the selection day, observed by service users/carers which will give the opportunity to demonstrate communication skills, preparation and self-reflection

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands	£8,650	Year 1
EU	£8,650	Year 1
England	£8,650	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£8,650	Year 1
Scotland	£8,650	Year 1
Wales	£8,650	Year 1

Additional fee information

Students are required to pay for DBS checks during the course of the programme. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barringservice-check/overview.

Course options