About the course
Your first step towards a career as a registered social worker, this course equips you with the knowledge, skills and resilience needed to improve the lives of vulnerable adults, children and families.
Approved by Social Work England, this degree offers graduates eligibility to join the professional register, after which you can pursue a career in social work across a range of settings.
The course prepares you to work in a rapidly changing, complex and unpredictable sector, offering the most up-to-the-minute knowledge, skills and practice. It combines work-placement experience, practical skills development and academic study with a focus on applying theory to practice.
You first study the foundations of social work including social policy; human growth and development; relevant legislation for professional practice; and working with people. Later units explore issues, contexts and interventions in social work along with two work-placement opportunities and a final-year research project.
Why choose this course?
- The quality of our teaching ranked top for student satisfaction out of 77 HE institutions offering the subject (Complete University Guide, 2023)
- Explore every aspect of the professional social work role; how it relates to other areas; and the ethical challenges of balancing initiative with accountability
- Progress with the support of academic staff who have all been practising social workers, some of whom continue to practise alongside their academic work
- Benefit from the University of Bedfordshire’s new Health & Social Care Academy, run in partnership with local councils and NHS Trusts to recruit and train the next generation of health and social care workers
- As a graduate, you can apply for professional registration as a qualified social worker with Social Work England
- Open up career paths across a variety of sectors, including local authorities, the NHS, education authorities, prison service, private agencies and voluntary organisations
Course Leader - Kirsten Warren
I have recently joined the teaching team after 10 years of practice as a social worker and more latterly a Team Manager in Hertfordshire County Council’s Children and Families Department.
Units
- Developing Academic Skills (ASS086-1) Compulsory
- Human Growth And Development Across The Lifespan (ASS087-1) Compulsory
- Readiness For Social Work Practice (ASS089-1) Compulsory
- Sociology And Social Policy In Practice (ASS092-1) Compulsory
- The Legislative Framework For Professional Practice (ASS090-1) Compulsory
- Working With People (ASS088-1) Compulsory
- Evidence-Based Social Work Practice (ASS669-2) Compulsory
- First 70 Day Placement (ASS667-2) Compulsory
- Issues And Contexts: Authority And Control (ASS670-2) Compulsory
- Issues And Contexts: Engagement And Partnership (ASS668-2) Compulsory
- Social Work In Multi-Agency And Inter-Professional Teams (ASS671-2) Compulsory
- Consolidation For Social Work Practice (ASS123-3) Compulsory
- Critical Ethical Reflective Practice (ASS122-3) Compulsory
- Last 100 Day Placement (ASS120-3) Compulsory
- Research Project For Professional Social Work Practice (ASS124-3) Compulsory
- Social Work Issues And Interventions (ASS121-3) Compulsory
Your academic learning will be assessed using a range of methods including reflective assignments, case studies, presentations, research tasks, examinations and evidence drawn from learning in the work place. Assessments are designed to integrate theory and practice throughout the course and the variety of assessment methods used develops academic and professional skills in writing concisely and drawing on your knowledge with confidence, for different purposes and audiences. A summative assignment towards the beginning of the course complements input on expectations of study at M level and personal and unit tutors provide a range of assessment support including tutorials, seminars and workshops. Your practice learning will be supported by practice educators and on-site supervisors and assessed at each stage by the submission of a portfolio at the applicable level of the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW, 2018). Your personal tutor will support your learning in each of your placements and facilitate learning needs identified at the end of the first placement being incorporated in planning your learning in the next. As you progress through the course, the assessments will become incrementally more challenging reflecting your increasing knowledge and skills of professional practice culminating with a viva which is designed to evidence your ability to critically reflect and makepractice decisions informed by knowledge and best practice, under pressure. This reflects tasks given at interview and therefore gives you the opportunity to rehearse your employability skills. Overall, assessments throughout the course are designed to provide a range of varied opportunities for you to develop increasing confidence and autonomy and ultimately demonstrate your knowledge and skills in all areas necessary for competent practice as a newly qualified social worker. You will be assessed on practice by a suitably experienced Practice Educator who is a qualified Social worker.
Why study in the School of Community, Society and Health?
- Placements in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
- Study in simulation labs for real life scenarios
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
- English GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- Maths GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- Interview
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Health screening
- 12 months' relevant work experience
How will this course improve my career prospects?
You will be undertaking a professional qualification to enable you to practice as a qualified and registered social worker in England. Most social workers are employed by local authority children's or adult social services.
Opportunities are available in other settings such as primary care trusts, local education authorities, prisons, private fostering agencies, voluntary organisations or charities.
You could be working in the following areas: child safeguarding, education welfare, healthcare, mental health, addiction, youth justice, asylum and refugees.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra costs for this course
DBS: You will need to pay up to £55 for the initial Disclosure and Barring Service check plus an annual update charge of £13.
On this course you will do practice placements away from the campus.
The basic NHS Social Work Bursary provides £862.50 (2015 figure) for placement travel costs. In most cases this covers all travel and associated costs e.g. car parking.
*The information above is for guidance only. Exact costs may vary.
Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
