BSc (Hons) Social Work
Few careers offer as much opportunity to support people as social work. Often, inequalities and injustices in society create difficulties for people involved with social services. The social work profession acknowledges these difficulties and endeavours to support people to manage their situations and effect positive change.
USW's social work degree is based on the All Wales Assessment Framework for Social Work, which includes the National Occupational Standards for Social Work, and the Social Care Wales Code of Professional Practice for Social Care Workers.
This means you will graduate with the professional qualification required to register as a social worker. If you apply through UCAS, you may be eligible for a bursary from Social Care Wales (subject to their conditions).
The social work degree consists of academic and practice-based elements. Half your time will involve practice learning opportunities in statutory, voluntary and third sectors. This will help consolidate your knowledge and skills, and prepare you for practice
What you will study
Our social work training is based on the All Wales Assessment Framework for Social Work, which incorporates the National Occupational Standards for Social Work. Students will work to Social Care Wales' Code of Professional Practice for Social Care. Students are required to register with the Care Council for Wales prior to starting the course and complete an enhanced DBS check on a yearly basis (additional costs apply).
The social work degree is split into two distinct areas: University study and work–based practice. Throughout your three years you will study a number of subjects relevant to social work. This theoretical learning will provide a foundation for the practice based element of the programme and each year you will undertake a Practice Learning Opportunity.
Year One: Social Work Degree
- Human Growth and Social Sciences
- Communication Skills in Social Work
- Foundations for Practice and Personal Development
- Social Work Processes
- Law and Social Policy
- Twenty-day Fitness to Practice Learning Opportunity
Year Two: Social Work Degree
- Outcomes Focused Practice in Social Work
- Application of Legislation and Ethics in Social Work Practice
- Development of a Social Work identity
- Integrating Research with Social Work and Social Care
- Eighty-day Practice Learning Opportunity
Year Three: Social Work Degree
- Competence in Social Work Practice
- Social Work with Individuals, Families and Communities
- Integrating Research in Social Work and Social Work Practice
- Inter-professional and Multi-agency Working
- One-hundred day Practice Learning Opportunity
Careers
A social work degree is a professional qualification. It allows you to practise and use the title of social worker, which is protected by law. Graduates can register as a social worker and enter a profession that offers professional development and excellent opportunities for career progression.
There’s an ongoing demand for social workers, so you can expect to find employment soon after graduation. Work is widely available in a variety of roles and settings. Whether you want to work with older people, families, children or people with disabilities, you could build a professional career that offers immense job satisfaction.
Around 5,500 social workers are employed in Wales and, with demand increasing, plenty of opportunities exist for graduates with a social work degree. The majority of newly qualified social workers secure a job within six months of qualifying and starting salaries are competitive
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.