Social Work with Integrated Foundation Year

Begin your social work journey with a foundation year that builds confidence, skills, and insight into social issues. Gain real-world experience, expert support, and a clear path to a professionally recognised, employment-ready qualification.

Professional recognition
On successful completion of the full programme, you will graduate with a degree accredited by Social Work England, giving you eligibility to apply for professional registration.

Immersive real-world experience
During the foundation year, you’ll build core practice skills through applied learning and placement preparation. As you progress, you’ll complete 200 days of hands-on experience across adult and children’s social work settings, learning from service users, carers, and professionals.

Supportive and innovative learning
The foundation year offers a supportive transition into university, with integrated teaching, small group support, and expert staff bringing real-world and global perspectives. You’ll study in our wide range of facilities and develop as a reflective, ethical, and globally aware practitioner.

This course is for you if…

• you want to build your confidence and academic skills before starting a social work degree

• you’re compassionate and motivated to support people through life’s challenges

• you want a clear pathway into a professional social work qualification

• you value learning from experienced professionals and real-world practice

Course Modules

Foundation year

In the foundation year, you’ll build key knowledge and skills across social science, psychology, and professional practice. You’ll explore how society is structured and governed through a human rights and social justice lens, while also gaining insight into psychological theories and how they apply to everyday life, behaviour, and real-world issues.

You’ll examine the links between psychology, health, and social care, including the impact of inequality and how theory informs practice. Alongside this, you’ll develop essential academic and professional skills, learning how to study independently, reflect on your development, and prepare for a career in health and social care.

Year 1

In your first year, your work will cover the foundations of social work. You’ll start developing your professional identity in the complex environment of social work, learning about everything from the values that underpin theory and practice to the importance of self and identity, and the perspectives of users and carers to the connections between local and global issues. You’ll learn through doing, spending a minimum of 30 days in preparation for practice.

Year 2

In your second year you’ll further your professional development, learning how to apply ethical and theoretical perspectives to human development, understanding social sciences in a social work setting and getting to grips with applying legal and social policy in the context of welfare. You’ll explore issues of diversity and difference, reflect on real-life issues that impact users and carers, and develop your skills in collaborative working. You’ll spend a minimum of 70 days on placement.

Final year

In your final year, you’ll consolidate your learning, working towards becoming a safe, competent, ethical practitioner who demonstrates sound professional judgement. Learn how to analyse complex issues, and apply your knowledge and skills to resolve them. Gain a critical perspective on complex, uncertain and changing contexts in social work, further your skills working in multi-agency settings and develop your understanding of the international arena. You’ll spend a minimum of 100 days in complex social work settings.

For up to date information, please refer to our website

For up to date information, please refer to our website

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

• Social Work England