- Innovative and relevant
- A leading professional university
- Career focused
- Excellence in teaching and support
- Facilities and campuses in outstanding locations
Innovative and relevant
We specialise in applied learning. This means that the theories studied within each discipline are used to look at how real problems in the wider world can be overcome. We also offer an interdisciplinary approach to learning which helps you to develop a broad knowledge base and a wide variety of transferable skills. Our courses are developed with local and global communities in mind, several in close cooperation with community organisations.
90% of the research carried out within the school was rated as being of world standard in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). This research is reflected in our undergraduate teaching and contributes to a deeper understanding of issues that touch all of us including ageing, gun crime and social inclusion.
Our social work courses are taught by qualified and registered social workers and include regular contributions from social work practitioners, users of services, and carers.
A leading professional university
Our close relationship with the Community and University Partnership Project gives us access to links with community and voluntary sector organisations across the UK and the world.
The Social Science Policy and Research Centre (SSPARC) has a national reputation for research in areas such as health and social care, crime and community safety, and community development. Professor Peter Squires, professor of criminology and social policy, is one of the UK's leading academic experts on gun crime and has recently been appointed to sit on one of the panels for the national Research Excellence Framework (REF).
Our social work courses are approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
Career focused
You will develop the skills required for a wide variety of careers in the private, public and community/voluntary sector. As well as knowledge in specific areas such as crime or social policy, you will also gain transferable skills such as critical thinking, analytical abilities and reasoning.
Most of our social science students can gain practical experience of working within a community or voluntary sector organisation during the second or third year of their degree as part of the Community Participation and Development module. Our social work course involves mandatory practice in approved placements in social care and social work agencies in years 2 and 3.
According to the university's Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey 2009/10, 88% of our Applied Psychology and Sociology BA(Hons) graduates and 90% of our Criminology and Sociology BA(Hons) graduates start a job or go into further study or training within six months (Destination of Leavers in Higher Education 2009/10).
Our social work degree leads to a generic social work qualification after which you can choose to work in a number of specialisms.
Excellence in teaching and support
Our teaching rated as excellent by external examiners and professional bodies.
Every student has access to a personal tutor who will usually remain the same throughout your course and provide help, support and guidance in the development of academic, personal and professional skills.
Throughout your first semester you will be allocated a learning group of around five students. These are designed to encourage students to provide support for each other throughout their studies, enhance students' engagement with their degree and help with independent study.
Facilities and campuses in outstanding locations
Our courses are taught on the Falmer campus which is situated close to the South Downs, five miles from Brighton seafront. Falmer railway station is a short walk away, and the campus is well served by buses.
The University of Brighton has invested over £100 million in equipment and building in the last decade and another £100 million is planned for the next. At the Falmer campus there is a library, computer pool rooms, a restaurant, a cafe bar and a small shop. There are also two halls of residence, both offering a high standard of accommodation.
