Social Work

Why Social Work?
Social workers make a difference to people in need of support – helping them through difficult times, through assessing, supporting and safeguarding. They often work with people who are in crisis and need help with making positive changes in peoples’ daily life. This degree will equip you with the expertise you need to become an exceptional social worker, challenging discrimination and oppression, whilst advocating for social justice and fairness in support and services delivered to a diversity of individuals and groups in society.

Our social Work courses are ranked 1st in the UK for graduate prospects by the Complete University Guide 2024.

You’ll study lots of different areas of social work practice including contemporary social issues impacting on people’s lives. You will be prepared for social work practice with children and families, adults and mental health. You will be taught about the importance of social work knowledge, values and skills which will help you form positive working relationships, communicate effectively and promote social justice and human rights. Recognised by the Social Work England (SWE), you’ll be eligible to apply for professional social work registration on graduation.

You’ll learn in our state-of-the-art FutureSim simulation facility, where you’ll benefit from cutting-edge, AI-enabled simulation environments and practise realistic clinical scenarios using the same tools and technologies as healthcare professionals.

Why University of Gloucestershire?
University of Gloucestershire (UoG) is a vibrant, close-knit and diverse community where small class sizes and dedicated personal tutors ensure students receive guidance and support from day one. UoG has been offering a wide range of degrees, courses and apprenticeships at undergraduate and postgraduate levels since 1847. Alongside our strong support system, guest speakers, networking events and influential partnerships will help you prepare for life after graduation, whether that be in a successful career in your field or onto further study.

Our promises to you

1. 1. UoG Career Promise – if you're not in a job 6 months after graduating, we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support post-graduation should you need it, followed by the offer of a paid internship and lifetime career coaching (eligibility conditions apply).

2. 2. UoG Accommodation Promise – we guarantee all first-year students’ accommodation on, or near, the campus you’re studying at.

3. 3. UoG Connections Promise – offering thousands of placements, internships, clubs and societies to help students find their community and build valuable experience and career connections.

After the course
Your story doesn’t end with us at graduation. We support our graduates to balance purpose with ambition, and 95% of University of Gloucestershire graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their course*.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2024 and based on 2021/22 leavers.

Student life
Home to 11,300 students and 900 staff across four campuses, University of Gloucestershire offers dynamic learning environments on the edge of the Cotswolds, the UK’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With over 45 festivals each year, global business placements nearby and more than 500 bars, clubs and pubs, Cheltenham is known as the ‘Festival Town’, while Gloucester blends rich history with a modern city feel, from its iconic cathedral to its famous docks.

Visit us
Come and explore our campuses, facilities, teaching areas and accommodation. You’ll get the chance to attend course talks and meet our lecturers, current students and support staff and answer all of your questions. Book to come to an open day at glos.ac.uk/BookAnOpenDay.

To find out more information about this course visit glos.ac.uk/OurCourses, email us on enquiries@glos.ac.uk or call 03330 14 14 14.

Course Modules

As part of the Law and Social Policy module in your first year, you'll visit court hearings and witness first-hand how social work law is applied and contested. Developing this knowledge of moral and legal frameworks, you’ll learn to make good decisions for the individuals and families you work with, considering law, human rights, risks and responsibilities. You'll examine people and relationships, attachment and separation-loss theories, as well as human development from childhood to old age. Learning is interactive with lots of group work, discussion and debate, role plays and case study projects. We have a strong, supportive social work learning community including students, staff, service users, carers and practitioners.