BA (Hons) Social Work

The Social Work Department at the University has Practice Learning Units in two Local Authorities providing increased opportunities for students to access high quality placement opportunities. It also directly employs eight qualified practice educators ensuring consistent and high-quality practice education for students.

The Marches Centre for Excellence in Health and Social Care, developed on the Telford Campus, offers students opportunity to prepare for practice using cutting edge technology, such as immersive reality, in simulated practice settings.

There are excellent campus facilities (libraries, well equipped social learning spaces, catering) that contribute to a productive and enjoyable learning experience.

1. Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
2. Be able to engage in and demonstrate a critical analysis of the legal, political and social influences impacting on social work practice in a complex and changing environment, often characterised by ethical dilemmas or conflict of interests.
3. conceptual understanding that enables the student:
• to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
• to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
4. A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.
5. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.

Additional Course Costs

Mandatory Costs:

• International checks (INTCC) as part of the DBS are required and costs vary by country..

 

Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

Key Requirements

• 120 UCAS points
• A Levels - from three A Levels eg:  grades BBB
• BTEC Extended Diploma DDM
• Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (120 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 30 credits at distinction).
• T Level in a related subject with an overall grade of Merit (120 UCAS points).
• If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.

Plus:

• GCSE: English language and maths grades 9-4/A*-C or equivalent
  • Equivalent qualifications include the following at Level 2:
  • Functional Skills, Key Skills, Learn Direct.
• Equivalency Test: If you have not achieved your Level 2 qualifications, you are eligible to take our University equivalency tests. The tests for this course are free of charge and can be taken completely online. Our admissions team will confirm in your offer if you are required to take one of these assessments.

 

Other Requirements

Applicants will also be required to provide satisfactory personal statement and one satisfactory academic or employer reference https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/2---check-the-entry-requirements/references/.   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.

Interview Information.
Read further information regarding interview preparation

DBS Police Check and Occupational Health.

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.  The regulator for Social Work is Social Work England. 

Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check:

Due to the professional nature of some of our courses you may also be 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 your course require this and you receive an offer from us

There will be no cost for the DBS this is free to applicants who have secured an offer and have chosen to study at the University of Wolverhampton.

Travel.

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.

 

Previous Study

Please note we will not accept applicants onto our professional courses who have been unsuccessful on professional courses at other institutions of higher education

 

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.

The course enables successful students to be eligible to register as a social worker to begin their careers in the profession.

The English qualification is accepted throughout the UK.

Graduates may return to the University of Wolverhampton (or any Higher Education Institute) to undertake courses as part of their continuing professional development (CPD), which is a requirement to maintain social work professional registration. These currently include Approved Mental Health Professional and Practice Educator courses, but additional courses are in development following policy changes related to the Mental Capacity Act. There is also the opportunity for candidates to enrol on a programme of doctoral study - either a Professional Doctorate or a more conventional PhD.

Social Work England

Approved by Social Work England (SWE) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with SWE as a social worker in England.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay these fees, subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.

NHS Bursaries for Social Work Students

NHS social work bursaries can help with study and living costs, and do not need to be paid back. The number of bursary recipients for both part-time and full-time courses are limited (or ‘capped’), and there is no guarantee you will receive a bursary if your application is accepted and you take up an offer of a place on a social work course. Find out more about NHS Social Work Bursaries.

Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: see How to pay.

Gateway.

Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.

Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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