Social Work (Qualified Status)

Why choose this course?
Social Work is a challenging yet rewarding career which offers a varied range of employment opportunities within either Local Authorities or wider networks and organisations.

This course offers a detailed and dynamic perspective of social work; covering theoretical perspectives; underpinning values and ethics; legislation and social policy; the impact of poverty and practice in Wales.

Our partnership arrangement alongside Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham Local Authorities enables students to be hosted by and build relationships with their potential future employers and to undertake practice learning within teams undertaking social work.

We also undertake teaching sessions alongside other professional courses such as policing, nursing and occupational therapy which enables students to understand different professional perspectives and training.

This course gives you the opportunity to work alongside Outside In, a unique group of individuals who are considered experts through experience and enable students to ‘complete the circle’ of learning by hearing from those individuals who have had involvement in social work, either by receiving services, caring for those that have or who potentially may need to access social workers in the future.

*This course is part of a subject area ranked 1st in Wales for Teaching Quality in the Social Work subject area league table in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025.

*This course is part of a subject area ranked 2nd in the UK for Teaching on my course and top 10 in the UK for Learning Opportunities and Assessment and Feedback in the National Student Survey, 2024.

*This course is rated 1st in Wales for Career Prospects in the Social Work subject area league table in the Guardian University Guide, 2025.

What you will study

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
The primary focus of this year is the development of academic and professional practice. This is done through a combination of academic study and 20 day practice learning opportunity.

MODULES
Entering the Profession -Developing Practitioner 1
Foundational Social Work Skills –Skills for Practice 1
Applied ICT for Social Work -Informational Analysis 1
Introduction to Social Policy and Poverty – Frameworks 1
Learning Together – Completing the Circle of Partnership 1
The Life Course Perspective - Individuals in Context 1
Practice Learning Opportunity

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
This year has a combination of exploring the theory and practice elements of the social work role and an 80-day practice learning opportunity.

MODULES
Conflicts and Dilemmas – Completing the Circle 2
Law and Social work –Frameworks 2
Interpersonal Dispositions -Developing practitioner 2
Exploring Social Work Skills – Skills for Practice 2
Social Work in Wales -Individuals in Context 2
Research for Social Work Practice -Informational Analysis 2
Practice Learning Opportunity

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)
The final year is focused on drawing together the different aspects of the theory and practice together, and for the students to then undertake a 100-day practice learning opportunity.

MODULES
Integrating Social Work Skills - Skills for Practice 3
Dissertation –Informational Analysis 3
Responsible and Accountable Professionalism – Developing Practitioner 3
The Creative Practitioner – Completing the Circle 3
Safeguarding in Context –Frameworks 3
Practice Learning Opportunity

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Teaching & Assessment
Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways: presentations, essays, reflective learning logs, dissertation, and more.

Students are encouraged to undertake learning needs assessments in year 1 if needed – this will lead to the best form of learning support being offered to students on an individualised basis.

Teaching and learning
Effective social work is about an integration of theoretical and practice understanding. Consequently the programme is taught in a range of ways and through various media. Students can expect to experience straightforward didactic information giving, as much as interactive role playing and group work. Demonstrating intrapersonal communication and team work skills are fundamentals of social work practice, so you are expected to actively participate and engage in all learning opportunities and styles.

In response to C-19, the programme is being taught in a mix of on-campus and online sessions. It is a full-time course, with 3 days per week timetabled during the periods of academic teaching, and 5 days per week on practice learning opportunities. Practice Learning Opportunities are divided into 20 days, year 1, 80 days, year 2 and 100 days, year 3.

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.