Social Work BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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This course encompasses contemporary issues in social work practice, and it aims to give you the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be an effective social worker and make a positive difference to service users.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

L500

Start date

September 2023

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Clearing applications for September 2023 are now closed to international students due to visa and immigration requirements. Check out our January 2024 entry courses.

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Course overview

This course is designed to develop your professional knowledge and skills so that you may achieve a recognised social work qualification with eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England1.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will:

  • Have developed the knowledge, cognitive skills, ethical understanding and interpersonal skills necessary for qualified social work practice.
  • Be able to recognise and work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds in ways that balances the need to be sensitive to difference, cultural and otherwise, whilst remaining committed to upholding universal social work values.
  • Have developed the self-efficacy, autonomy, self-awareness, reflective ability, emotional intelligence and the organisational skills to work as an effective and empathic social worker.
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Why you should study this course

There aren’t many careers that make you feel like you are giving back to society in the way that social work can. Social work is much more than ‘helping people’. At its best, it helps save lives, protect vulnerable people from harm and enhances the life chances of those in social need. Approved by Social Work England, on successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply to Social Work England to register as a social worker (additional costs apply)1.

The course facilitates transformative learning through practice-led and research-inspired teaching. You will be taught by a dedicated team of experienced social work academics which currently includes academics with substantial practice and research experience across a range of social work practice settings, including children and families and adult practice (staff subject to change). The course is designed around the applicability of learning to practice through the use of real-life case studies, serious case review findings, and the involvement of social work practitioners and experts by experience, to enhance the student learning experience.

The teaching curriculum reflects the changing demographics of society and emerging social issues. The decolonisation of the curriculum is integrated so that graduates have the required skills and capabilities to practice with diverse groups of people presenting with the complexities of modern-day social problems. Social work by nature is embedded in making a contribution to the betterment of communities and promoting social justice, responsibility, sustainability and social responsibility. Many of the modules throughout the course are aimed at equipping you with the awareness of the nature, causation and impact on people of current social problems and how you may constructively and creatively respond to these.

You will be provided with a comprehensive induction programme to support the transition into a new learning environment. This induction is student-centred and aims to promote good communication and working relationships between staff and students. You will be supported through a range of university support services including welfare service, student success coaches and student mentors. You will also be allocated a personal tutor who can help provide academic, personal, pastoral and welfare support. The course also emphasises the development of your emotional literacy and intelligence capacity in order to promote resilience and psychological wellbeing to practice effectively as a social worker.

You will put theory into practice as you undertake a 70-day placement in year two and a 100-day placement in year three2,5. Practice placements are sourced by the university and are in a range of social work and care settings. On placement you will learn from complex situations and be supported by experienced social work practitioners. Your personal tutor also plays a key role in ensuring that practice placement provides a quality learning experience for you and that the course requirements are met.

The course has embedded the employability of graduates and a major stem throughout the degree programme by ensuring is ensuring currency in the curriculum. We will support you in your final year as you transition to employment through a range of initiatives with local employers.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Social Work England

Social Work England

The course is approved by Social Work England. Approval by Social Work England means that once you graduate, you can apply to register with Social Work England to start work as a qualified social worker (additional costs may apply). Should there be any change to the approval of this course, applicants will be made aware of this.

Memberships

The university is also an active partner on the West Midlands Teaching Partnership for Social Work. Close partnerships exist with employers and other higher education institutions in the Teaching Partnership, and there are particularly established links currently with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and several independent and voluntary organisations (subject to change).

What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum allows you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline where you will develop knowledge and skills to do with human growth and development, communication, legal and policy frameworks as well as theories, methods and models for social work practice, among others.

Modules

  • The module introduces you to social work as a form of practice that has been constructed over time within legal, policy and organisational frameworks. You will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the dilemmas, conflicts and tensions within and between legislation, policy, organisational structures and practice within diverse service user groups. The contingent nature of social work is considered by examining key historical ‘moments’ in the development of social work, exploring the political, economic and social context of each moment and the forces that shaped the form social work took. The module examines current social work roles and responsibilities and the settings in which social work is practised.

    Compulsory

  • This module will enable you to develop effective communication and relationship building skills in social work in all its relevant forms including written, spoken, non-verbal and observational. You will have the opportunity to acquire underpinning knowledge and skills to equip you to communicate in a variety of practice settings with both individuals and groups. You will gain a range of techniques for working with service users, carers and professionals. In addition, the module will explore barriers to communication that are experienced by service users and carers with particular communication needs and those from diverse backgrounds. The module will relate to and inform the learning in other modules including contributing to your preparation for readiness for practice prior to starting your first placement.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to introduce you to the English legal system and the way in which the law is relevant to social work practitioners. You will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the primary and secondary legislation and apply key pieces of legislation to practice situations. The objectives are to explore the legal system, introduce key items of law including the Children Act 1989, Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005, and to enable the practice realities of the implementation of the law.

    Compulsory

  • This module enables you to develop an understanding of human growth and development across the lifespan from infancy to later adulthood. It introduces theories of human growth and development and how these can be applied to social work practice. There will be a focus on how such theories can enable a better understanding of individuals, groups and communities in the context of inequality, adversity and oppression.  In addition, the module invites students to reflect on their personal and professional values to explore patterns of human growth and development. The aim is to develop an understanding of emotional awareness and resilience within the context of contemporary social work practice.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to explore social work theory, models and methods in relation to practice through the prism of relationship-based and person-centred social work in the context of both the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and the Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS) for social workers in England. The module will enable you to explore and evaluate theory, models and methods, utilising principles of anti-oppressive practice and strengths-based approaches. This module is underpinned by relationship-based practice and therefore, will focus on the lived experience of service users and carers alongside the perspective of social work agencies, social work practitioners, and other professionals.

    Compulsory

  • The overall aim of the module is to ensure that you meet the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW) at the point of assessment of readiness to practice i.e. the required capabilities prior to first placement. Thus, you should demonstrate a range of knowledge, core skills and values in order to engage effectively with service users and carers, work collectively as a member of an organisation and are open to learning and supervision in order to make effective use of their first practice placement. You will also demonstrate an awareness of the Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS) for Adults and Child and Family practitioners, alongside an appreciation of Social Work England's (SWE) professional standards and their relevance to social work practice.

    Compulsory

In year two, the 70-day placement2,5 forms an important part of the course as you move on to apply your knowledge and skills in real-life situations. Academic modules presenting knowledge and understanding support practice-based learning. There are modules in sociological theory, and its application to social work practice, and modules very much rooted in the practice environment, in which the current key themes in social work practice with children and families, and adults are examined.

Modules

  • You will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the role of the professional social worker in a range of practice contexts. They will demonstrate, through effective communication, evidence of forming appropriate relationships with professionals and service users. You will be expected to use critical reflection to inform your learning, to ensure your practice is underpinned by professional codes of conduct, ethical principles and social justice. You will also apply your understanding of legislation, theoretical perspectives and evidence-based research to their practice. The module will enable you to demonstrate the capability requirements for qualifying practice at the end of first placement. You will be expected to critically reflect on the relevance of the Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS) to social work practice.

    Compulsory

  • You will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the role of the professional social worker in a range of practice contexts. You will demonstrate, through effective communication, evidence of forming appropriate relationships with professionals and service users. You will be expected to use critical reflection to inform your learning, to ensure your practice is underpinned by professional codes of conduct, ethical principles and social justice. You will also apply your understanding of legislation, theoretical perspectives and evidence-based research to their practice. The module will enable you to demonstrate the capability requirements for qualifying practice at the end of your first placement. You will be expected to critically reflect on the relevance of the Knowledge and Skills Statements (Department for Education and Department for Health) to social work practice.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to equip you with knowledge in which to analyse and apply sociological theories to the social context of those with lived experiences. This will include the application and analysis of different sociological perspectives and will enable you to consider how these ideas can aid understanding of contemporary social problems. Further, the module will assist you to identify the importance of sociological ideas such as social identity and consider how key social divisions are of relevance to social work practice through the oppression and discrimination that can arise from them.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to enable you to develop understanding and knowledge of social work with children, young people and families in a range of settings including agencies and organisations operating in both the statutory and third sector. Learning will incorporate both the context and breadth of issues that children and families’ social workers encounter to prepare you for practice. It will include the application of legislation and policies related to children’s safeguarding and an analysis of recent developments and their implications to practice, including an exploration of contemporary themes in children’s safeguarding. The module will principally aim to enable you to develop your understanding, knowledge and skills working from a rights-based approach to promote relationship based social work and strengths-based models of assessment. The module will also provide you with an understanding of the impact of poverty, inequality and diversity in the lives of children, young people and families and how you will address this through your practice.

    Compulsory

  • This module enables you to develop understanding and knowledge of social work practice with adults and carers across a range of practice settings. This includes the application of legislation and policies, including the principle of wellbeing which is central to all professional practice with adults under the Care Act (2014). The module will identify the importance of enabling people to experience personalised integrated care and the support required in maintaining independence and wellbeing, coping with change, attaining the outcomes they need, understanding and managing risk and participating in the life of their communities. The module will also provide you with an understanding of the impact of poverty, inequality and diversity on social and economic opportunities and relate these experiences to people’s health and wellbeing as well as the functioning of their families, particularly in connection with adult safeguarding and in empowering individuals who may lack mental capacity.

    Compulsory

In year three, you will complete your final 100-day practice placement2,5 which is complimented by modules in which the organisational context of social work, research findings and the evidence-base for social work practice are critically examined. A key aspect of the final year is to prepare you for employment as a Newly Qualified Social Worker.

Modules

  • This module will enable you to consolidate and develop your practice, achieved in year one, in a contrasting statutory, voluntary or independent social work or social care setting. The module requires advanced integration and practical application of knowledge of social science, legislation, theoretical perspectives and evidence-based research. You will be expected to use critical reflection and analysis to ensure your practice is underpinned by professional codes of conduct and ethical principles. This will include an understanding of the role of the social worker and will allow students to demonstrate, through effective communication, evidence of forming appropriate relationships with professionals, service users and carers. In addition, you will be required to demonstrate that you can work effectively within an organisational context, including multi-agency and inter-professional settings. You will be required to take responsibility for, and demonstrate, your own professional learning and leadership development.

    You will be required to enhance your understanding of the legal, policy and procedural frameworks that underpin practice, applying critical reflection, analysis and creativity to more complex practice situations. You will be required to demonstrate an understanding of risk factors and appropriate responses to safeguarding vulnerable people. The intention of this module is to enable you to demonstrate the professional capability requirements for qualifying practice at the end of final placement.

    Compulsory

  • The module requires advanced integration and practical application of knowledge of social science, legislation, theoretical perspectives and evidence- based research. You will be expected to use critical reflection and analysis to ensure your practice is underpinned by professional codes of conduct and ethical principles. This will include an understanding of the role of the social worker and will allow students to demonstrate, through effective communication, evidence of forming appropriate relationships with professionals, service users and carers. In addition, you will be required to demonstrate that you can work effectively within an organisational context, including multi-agency and inter-professional settings. You will be required to take responsibility for, and demonstrate, your own professional learning and leadership development.

    You will be required to enhance your understanding of the legal, policy and procedural frameworks that underpin practice, applying critical reflection, analysis and creativity to more complex practice situations. You will be required to demonstrate an understanding of risk factors and appropriate responses to safeguarding vulnerable people. The module seeks to enable you to demonstrate the professional capability requirements for qualifying practice at the end of final placement.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of the module is to enable you to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the organisational contexts that shape contemporary social work practice. The module will prepare you for the challenges posed by achieving effective working relationships in multi-agency and inter-professional settings. This module will also prepare you for the changing context of organisational frameworks and employment settings by examining the nature of organisations, different styles of working and the meaning of professional identity within a changing practice milieu.

    Compulsory

  • The aims of this module are for students to develop an understanding of the importance of research and the contribution it makes towards evidence informed practice. The module will outline key principles of research and develop critical understanding of the different ways in which research can be carried out (methodology) as well as considering the philosophical traditions underpinning research. More importantly, this module will develop critical analysis and reflexivity in the context of social work knowledge and research traditions in order to equip students for engaging in evidence-informed practice. This is achieved by students undertaking a study of a particular area of interest that is relevant to working with service users and/or carers, reviewing literature, relevant research and findings from practice.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

You will be taught using a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops supported by online content focusing on case based problem-solving approaches and skills development.

You will also have dedicated tutorial support for academic and personal development supported by online content. The course is designed around the applicability of learning to practice and thus a number of modules incorporate research through the use of real-life case studies, serious case review findings, and the involvement of social work practitioners and experts by experience, to enhance your learning experience.

Teaching contact hours

In year one you will receive around 15-18 hours teaching contact time per week. In year two you will receive around 12-15 hours teaching contact time per week and in year three you will receive around 9-12 hours of teaching contact time as you gradually move to more independent study as you progress through the programme. Teaching contact hours is made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and online synchronous learning. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 40 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Whilst on placement you are expected to work full-time. Social Work England define a placement day as usually no less than 7 hours (plus lunch break), but exact hours and working patterns may vary depending on the placement provider.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

The course adopts a variety of assessment methods, both formative and summative, which will vary depending on the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Coursework assignments
  • Case study analysis
  • Reflective writing
  • Test
  • Presentations
  • Practical interviewing
  • Portfolios

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

In recent years the faculty have offered international experiences2 and recently social work students have been involved in visits to places such as Finland and the Netherlands.

Entry requirements

Clearing places available on this course

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Additional requirements may apply

Haven't met the entry requirements or don’t have the right qualifications? You may still be able to progress onto a degree you’d love by studying a foundation course.

View our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page. 

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Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU support bursary**
£16,800 per year without EU support bursary**		 Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU support bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in-line with that of UK students. Students studying a Degree with a Foundation Year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building4 features a range of mock healthcare settings, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

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Community houses

The Alison Gingell Building features two full-size homes which can be used for sessions simulating working scenarios with different client groups.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will have the requisite knowledge, skills and values to successfully enter the social work profession. The course has embedded the employability of graduates as a major stem throughout the degree programme by ensuring currency in the curriculum.

You’ll be encouraged to put theory into practice on placement in a range of social work and social care settings, learning from complex situations and being supported by experienced social work practitioners. You’ll be supported to develop the self-efficacy, autonomy, self-awareness, reflective ability, emotional intelligence and the organisational skills to work as an effective and empathic social worker. We will support you in your final year as you transition to employment through a range of initiatives with local employers.

On successful completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to apply to register as a social worker with Social Work England (additional costs may apply) and consolidate your identity as a Newly Qualified Social Worker. Previous graduates from social work qualifying programmes at Coventry University have had excellent career prospects in the caring professions, supported by our close links with local employers, who are actively involved in the design, delivery and assessment of the programme. There remain healthy employment rates in the local area for qualified local authority social workers, however previous graduates have also gone on to wider range of positions in the NHS and voluntary sector. 

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have benefited from particularly helpful working relationships with local employers who make up the West Midlands Teaching Partnership, and especially Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

How to apply

  • 1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    5Placements

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2023/24 contract can be found here.The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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