Social Work

This degree prepares you to work in a rapidly changing, complex and unpredictable sector, offering the most up-to-the-minute knowledge, skills and practice. With a focus on applying theory to practice, it combines work-placement experience, practical skills development and academic study. You explore every aspect of the professional social work role; how it relates to other areas; and the ethical challenges of balancing initiative with accountability.

Course accreditation

This course is approved by Social Work England. Upon graduation, you are eligible to register as a qualified social worker, able to work in the sector across the UK.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Four-storey library with an extensive range of physical and digital resources.

• Specialist labs, lecture theatres and bespoke group study spaces.

• State-of-the-art simulation suites, mirroring real-life settings you may experience.

• Access to the University's moot court to practise for court appearances

• Sessions alongside allied professions such as policing and criminal investigations, using the mock custody suite and police interview room

Career-powered links

Benefit from the University of Bedfordshire’s partnerships with councils and NHS trusts across our region, working together to train the next generation of health and social care workers.

Your student experience

Progress with the support of academic staff who have all been practising social workers, some of whom continue to practise alongside their academic work.

Learn from academics involved in current research and practice, ensuring their teaching includes the latest developments while preparing you for the realities of the field.

Put your theoretical knowledge into action with our work-based approach to learning, from hands-on simulations and real-world case studies to industry placements and a research project of your choosing.

Work alongside service users, social workers and students from related degrees, learning from their broad range of backgrounds and knowledge bases.

Develop key transferable skills that will boost your career prospects.

Fulfil your potential with teaching in small cohorts and guidance from your personal academic tutor.

Course Modules

Year 1
Developing academic skills – Gain key academic skills in areas such as assessment planning, sourcing research and referencing. Human growth across the lifespan – Know how people grow and change and use that insight to better support people at any stage of life. Working with people – Learn methods and skills to predict, explain and assess situations and behaviours, recognising needs and responding effectively. Readiness for social work practice – Understand the professional frameworks for social workers and show your ‘readiness’ to practice in a work setting. The legislative framework for professional practice – Gain a foundation in the legal system and how it influences and guides social work practice. Sociology and social policy in practice – Explore how society is structured and how the welfare system responds to social issues such as poverty and social exclusion.

Year 2
First 70-day placement – Demonstrate your professional capability through a practice placement. Issues and contexts: engagement and partnership – Use skills-development workshops to explore key issues faced by people needing social work support. Evidence-based social work practice – Learn to identify, assess and apply relevant research to support your professional practice. Issues and contexts: authority and control – Use skills-development workshops to understand the issues that trigger statutory duties to safeguard adults and children. Social work in multi-agency and inter-professional teams – Build the skills to work across different social care settings, with professionals from other fields.

Year 3
Final 100-day placement – Demonstrate your skills and ability through direct practice, showing you meet the requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework. Social work issues and interventions – Develop intervention skills that support you to work effectively with people of all ages, creating specialist strategies for specific needs. Critical, ethical, reflective practice – Draw on what you have learnt throughout the course to make complex professional decisions in your daily practice. Consolidation for social work practice – Reflect on your practice as you make the transition from student to qualified social worker. Research project for professional social work practice – Conduct an in-depth investigation in an area of personal interest, relevant to your professional practice.

We make every effort to ensure the information here is accurate; however, for the most up-to-date information, visit our website.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Health and Care Professions Council