Intro

Social work is both a profession and an academic discipline that commits to social justice and human rights by supporting those in need.

It is a vital and rewarding field of work that puts you in direct contact with often vulnerable and marginalised individuals, giving you a chance to make a significant difference to their lives.

The course has been approved by Social Work England – the regulatory body for social work training. You'll need to demonstrate Social Work England's Professional Standards within your practice, alongside the expectations specified by the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) held by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

Completion of the degree programme leads to a generic social work qualification, which then allows you to specialise in a particular area of practice. It also allows you to apply to Social Work England for registration as a social worker.

This degree is run in partnership with local agencies including Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council, as well as with carers and service users.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code L500

Full-time 3 years

Approved by Social Work England

Join an online event

Apply now with UCAS for 2022

Course content

Course structure

The course reflects the multi-professional nature of social work practice through joint learning sessions with students of nursing, occupational therapy, midwifery, medicine, education and physiotherapy. There is also a focus on the social science knowledge base of social work, with contributions from criminology, psychology, sociology and social policy.

Learning on the course involves the extensive use of actual and simulated case material and also includes presentations, workshops, seminars, and small groups, with students and staff from other professions. The course benefits from contributions from carers, service users and practitioners from partner agencies.

You'll be supported by regular individual and group tutorials, and teaching is informed by the research of our staff, whose interests include complexity theory, mental health and resilience.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up-to-date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you will be told about any new developments through Student View.

Social Work

Placements

Practice learning placements are a core part of your training.

In Year 2 you will spend 70 days on placement. The emphasis will be on generic skills and learning, and you are likely to work in the private, voluntary or independent sector.

In your final year you will spend 100 days on placement and will keep a structured Practice Portfolio and also write a Practice Study.

Your placement will be in a setting that offers you the opportunity to engage with: 

  • formal assessment processes
  • the application of legal frameworks
  • organisational policies and procedures
  • the demands of a high-pressure environment, and
  • multi-agency working.

You will also have an additional 30 days of skills-based activities which are spread throughout the three years.

Practice will be assessed according to the Social Work’s Professional Capabilities Framework. By the end of the course you also have to demonstrate the Social Work England's Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers in England.

Year 1

Year 1 will introduce social work practice and begin your professional training. You will also learn about how the social sciences inform social work and about the role of social policy.

Modules

  • Introduction to Social Work Practice

    In this module you'll be introduced to core and basic knowledge of professional social work practice, including the central importance of professionalism and ethical and anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice.

    The module outlines the nature, purpose, remit and knowledge base of professional social work; introduces key social work skills and outlines the component parts involved in professional social work tasks.

    You'll explore professionalism - the professional identity, role and responsibility of social workers and how this relates to, and differs from, the personal self. The statutory regulation of social work profession and the professional body for social work are introduced. You'll also be introduced to the range of different settings for professional practice.

  • Contemporary Social Inequalities

    This module will provide you with the theoretical and conceptual tools to confront normative/normalising explanations of difference and inequality. You'll understand the ways that ‘differences’ and inequalities are formed and their consequences for everyday lived realities.

  • Human Growth and Development

    This module will introduce you to theories and knowledge on human development across the lifespan, by examining a range of bio-psychosocial theories, applying understanding to how human growth and development is shaped as we grow and travel through the life-course.

    You will explore a range of bio-psychosocial theories: (eg. attachment; psychodynamic; bio-psychosocial, cognitive, behavioural, humanistic) and related theories (eg. systems theory and complexity theory). You'll examine the individual’s development in different contexts across the lifespan from childhood and adolescence, through adulthood to end of life, with consideration of the various transitions. You'll also take account of different cultural contexts; disability; mental health; harm and abuse; inequalities, exclusion and discrimination.

    Application of understanding the life course to social work practice is embedded throughout the module learning. Thus, bio-psychosocial theories of development are applied to specific practice issues ranging from child abuse and parenting through to offending behaviour and care for older people and those with mental health difficulties. Key concepts in the lifespan are explored also: for example, identity, vulnerability, risk, protective factors, resilience and the promotion of strengths.

    Learning and teaching on this module contributes to learning and assessment in relation to the College of Social Work’s Professional Capabilities Framework and the Health and Care Professions Councils’ Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers in England and Wales.

  • Preparing for Social Work Practice

    This module includes ten 'developing skills for practice' days and will enable you to develop core skills in engaging with service users/carers and undertaking assessments and interventions. You'll have the opportunity to shadow the practice of a Social Worker during your development days.

    The module will also examine a number of social work methods and you'll gain an understanding of the place of theory and evidence in social work in guiding and evaluating assessments and interventions.

  • Law for Social Workers

    On this module you'll be introduced to the use of law in social work - you will learn about the English legal system, frameworks and concepts, before going on to consider the core legislation and practice guidance underpinning social work with children and families, adult service users and carers and those with mental health needs.

    Attention will also be paid to the inter-professional context in which social workers operate and the need for partnership working when seeking to meet needs and safeguard and protect service users and carers. Throughout, a key focus will be upon the implications of statutory intervention for anti-oppressive, rights-based practice, the challenging of discrimination and the perspectives of service users and carers on use of law in social work practice.

  • Service User and Carer Needs and Resources

    This module will introduce you to the concept of need, what need might look like, how it might be defined by different groups and what resources may or may not be available to meet the needs of service users and carers.

Social Policy

Year 2

Year 2 will develop your specialist knowledge and practical skills. You will also complete your first professional placement.

Modules

  • Social Work Practice with Adults
  • Social Work Practice with Children and Families
  • Practice Learning 1
  • Critical Social Work
parents and children socialising at home

Final year

In year 3, the second placement will enable further development and the consolidation of more complex social work practice. You will also use your research skills to complete a social work project of your choice.

Modules

  • Social Work Dissertation
  • Contemporary Social Work
  • Practice Learning 2
Students in a seminar

Meet the team

Sarah Wilkins, course leader

Sarah is a registered Social Worker and qualified Practice Educator with over 20 years’ social work experience in front-line child protection practice, adoption work, working with young people leaving care and most recently with Brighton and Hove Fostering Service as a Practice Manager. 

Sarah is passionate about social work and the importance of learning from each other and the people we work with. She is interested in the notion of a ‘community of practice’ and how learning and experience can come together. 

Sarah’s approach to teaching aims to provide students with space to consider problem solving and reflection as central processes. This is often through tutorial groups and group learning activities, but also via group supervision in practice. She is keen to engage students with real Social Work practice scenarios and explore skill development in preparation for practice and beyond.

Other members of the teaching team:

Sarah Wilkins

How this course is delivered

How will my course be taught?
For the academic year that starts in September 2022 we’re planning for all students to be taught face-to-face on campus, enhanced by some online learning.

Students who started their course with us in 2021 are on campus for some face-to-face learning including tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes and studio sessions. They are also taking part in off-campus learning activities such as placements, field trips and study visits. And all of our campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more are open.

Like all universities we are following government guidance and we are monitoring the pandemic very closely. Should Public Health advise it we have robust plans in place for additional safety measures to be introduced to enable everyone to continue learning on campus, and, as a last resort, for students to continue their learning remotely.

We will update you regularly on our teaching plans for the next academic year as you progress your application with us.

When does my course start?
The 2022 academic year begins on Monday 26 September 2022. Teaching for most courses starts the following week.

Many education courses, some health science courses including Medicine, and some postgraduate business courses have an earlier start date. Check your offer letter for the start date of your course.

Our latest news

Starting your course in 2021?

Starting your course in 2021?

We know you’re going to have a brilliant time here.
Spotlight on Social Work placements

Spotlight on Social Work placements

Placements are a core part of the training on our Social Work BSc(Hons).
Studying Social Work at Brighton

Studying Social Work at Brighton

We catch up with Social Work BSc graduate Jules Cave and ask her about her time at Brighton and what she’s been up to since graduating: Why did you choose to study social work?
Thanking our social work students

Thanking our social work students

University of Brighton social work students who remained on placement despite the risks of Covid-19 are receiving a thank you gift supported by Santander Universities.

Read more from our blog

Careers

Accreditation

The course has been approved by Social Work England (SWE) – the regulatory body for social work training.

Completion of the degree programme leads to a generic social work qualification, which then allows you to specialise in a particular area of practice. It also allows you to apply for registration with SWE, which is essential before practising as a social worker.

Social Work England logo

Prepare for your social work career 

As a social worker you’ll need organisational skills, problem-solving skills, relationship-building skills and motivational skills – you’ll gain all of this from your degree.

  • Completion of the degree programme leads to a generic social work qualification, which then allows you to specialise in a particular area of practice.
  • The degree enables you to apply for registration with Social Work England which is essential before practising as a social worker.
  • The placement element will provide you with varied experience to ensure you are prepared for your social work career
  • You’ll gain the ability to work in accordance with statutory and organisational requirements in challenging and conflictual situations
  • Inter professional learning will bring you together with students on other courses - learning together to support working together.

Placements

Your placement will ensure you are fully prepared for your career in social work.

Your practice learning will be assessed according to the Social Work’s Professional Capabilities Framework.

By the end of the course you will also need to demonstrate the Social Work England Professional Standards – the standards set out the requirements social workers are expected to meet.

Our students have carried out their practice learning in a wide range of areas including in:

  • assessment teams
  • long-term teams
  • family centres
  • children’s hospitals
  • fostering services
  • adoption services.

Elsie Foster spent her second year placement with Stay Up Late – a local charity that helps people with learning difficulties to stay up late and have some fun.

Elsie said: “My experience of working at Stay Up Late allowed me to explore a more informal approach to working in order to build effective relationships."

Read more about Elsie's placement. Our spotlight on placements post on our blog features the experiences of four other social work students.

Work-related experience 

We’ll ensure you’ll have knowledge of the many professions and roles your social work career will bring you into contact with. 

Inter professional education is an important element of the course and can help each profession enhance its own professional practice, through gaining a deeper understanding of its own knowledge and practice base and how this complements and supports that of other professions.

Working with students on other courses at the university you’ll make extensive use of actual and simulated case material in order to prepare for collaborative practice. The types of sessions could include: 

  • working collaboratively in children’s services with education, nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy students, youth workers
  • physical abuse with medical students
  • safeguarding vulnerable adults and children with nursing and occupational therapy students
  • conference on current practice issues 

Service users, carers and practitioners from partner agencies, organisations and NHS trusts will be central to your learning experience.

Their involvement ensures that practitioner, service user and carer perspectives lie at the heart of learning and teaching and that the taught input is correctly aligned to current practice. You’ll benefit from their input in guest lectures throughout your studies.

 

Graduate destinations 

As a social worker, you will work with people to find solutions to their problems. This may be helping to protect vulnerable people from harm or abuse or supporting people to live independently.

As well as working with clients and their families and other carers, social workers work with other agencies including the police, local authority departments, schools and the probation service.

This is an important time to enter the profession and there continues to be a need for social workers nationally.

Employment opportunities exist with local authorities but also voluntary agencies who work with:

  • children
  • older people
  • disabled people
those using mental health services.
A family using a tablet

Further study 

We offer a range of professional development opportunities for social workers at all stages of their careers:

students in lecture

Supporting your employability 

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more...

Coloured background with the words Be More, Connected, Skilled, Emlployable

Professional links 

This degree is run in partnership with local agencies including:

  • Brighton & Hove City Council
  • East Sussex County Council
  • West Sussex County Council

We also work in partnership with carers and service users.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level ABB–BBC (128–112 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DDM–DMM. Applicants invited to interview are normally selected from the group who have predicted grades at the top of this range but it is not a guarantee of interview.

If your predicted grades are towards the lower end of this range we may still invite you to interview if you offered a significantly competitive GCSE (or equivalent) profile, personal statement or relevant non–academic achievements. Subsequent offers will be made based on assessment at interview.

International Baccalaureate
32–28 points with three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Social work diploma preferred. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 18 credits at distinction and 27 credits at merit, including level 3 credits in written communication, study skills, and reading and writing skills.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
A good GCSE profile including maths and English language. These are national requirements for social work training and cannot be waived/other subjects cannot be accepted in lieu. Functional Skills, level 2 in English and maths, are acceptable.

If you do not have the required GCSEs find out which equivalent qualifications we accept instead.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in the other elements.

Other
You should have:

  • experience of being in a helping or support role, for example in a social care or education setting (this may be paid or voluntary)
  • understanding of, and preparedness for, social work practice
  • a satisfactory academic reference
  • a satisfactory second (character) reference preferably relating to social care, a helping role you have had outside of your family, or from your most recent employer.

Note that we are unable to accept deferrals of places to the next academic year for this course. 

If we make you an offer
Once you've accepted your offer, to fulfil professional requirements, you will be expected to provide evidence of the following:

  • satisfactory DBS disclosure
  • satisfactory health declaration/clearance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,892 GBP

Social work bursary information

The NHS Business Service Authority administers social work bursaries, for further information and to check your eligibility visit their webpage. 

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Humanities and Social Science in the 2021–22 academic year are listed here.

  • For some assessments you may be required to print large format posters for presentations at a cost of £5–£10 per poster.
  • Most coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget up to £100 for printing.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.
  • Some courses include an optional placement module for which students will need to cover the costs of travel to and from the placement and DBS checks as required.
  • For the Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDip and Psychotherapeutic Psychodynamic Counselling PGDip, the following course-related costs are not included in the tuition fee:
    • Supervision fees: £1,170 for each full year. Estimated based on £45 per hour with fortnightly meetings. In some agencies, supervision will be provided at no cost. Where students have to pay, the cost will only begin when supervision begins.
    • Personal counselling/therapy: £2,000–£2,800 over the course. Estimated based on £40 per hour.
  • For a number of courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits. These are optional and are not required to pass your course but under normal circumstances we would expect a budget of approximately £150 per year will cover the costs of particular trips. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. 7,000 students are based here taking subjects including criminology, English, education, nursing and medicine, paramedic science, psychology and sociology. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. Psychology students learn in our applied cognition and flexible creative method labs.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre and there is a BTN BikeShare hub on site. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.


Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Falmer campus is linked to the halls on Falmer campus and at Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on Falmer campus and offer a range of rooms
    • Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private renting. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Falmer campus

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Cricket Academy

New for September 2023, our Cricket Academy offers aspiring players the opportunity to continue their cricket development alongside studying for a degree. The programme offers a world-class training environment with the highest quality coaching.

Find out more about the Cricket Academy.

Students playing frisbee

Student views  

Helen

"I have found the course overall really interesting. It has opened my eyes to ways of thinking and viewing situations I had never considered before. It has also helped me grow as a person and become more confident.

"I am enjoying the lectures in this year’s Contemporary Social Work module as they are really relevant to my future social work career and given by very knowledgeable people currently working in social work. I am also enjoying reading journals which is something I never would have thought at the start of the course.

"The lecturers have been fantastic. They have been really supportive and helpful and have given me time to talk individually regularly throughout the course which makes a big difference.

"The feedback they give on assignments is specific and helpful and has helped improve the level of academic work I am able to do as I have progressed through the course.

"My placement is working from home for the Adult Social Care, Adult Learning Disability Team. I turn my laptop on and check my calendar and emails and throughout the day I will speak to colleagues in my team and speak to clients, their family, and carers and service providers on Microsoft Teams or the telephone as appropriate.

"My work includes annual reviews, arranging services, referrals, welfare calls and keeping in touch with the clients who are allocated to me. There are also meetings with other professionals such as the Health Team and team meetings to attend.

"This learning puts what I have learnt in the classroom into real life scenarios. Case studies at university are a good starting point, but actually working with real people and seeing how processes work in the real world is a very steep and important learning curve.

"The course is extremely hard work – each year gets a bit harder and a bit more pressure. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for! But it is definitely worth it."

Alice

"I chose to study here as I felt Brighton offers diversity, thriving possibilities and has a liberal feel.

"I felt very welcomed when I went for my interview, the campus is easy to get to and I felt excited for the opportunities Brighton has to offer.

"The course has enabled me to learn more about myself and challenged me out of my comfort zone. I am beginning to feel prepared and confident in applying for jobs and starting my career as a social worker. 

"I am enjoying the Critical Social Work module which we have been learning alongside placement. I feel this provides a great insight into the unique role of social workers and how we can make a positive difference in people’s lives.

"The teaching staff are all very supportive, it is nice to know you can reach out to someone if you feel you are struggling or would like some additional support. I feel I can speak openly and honestly with the support staff. 

"If you would like to learn more about yourself, be challenged, stimulated and inspired with the opportunity to start an enriching career along with living near the sunshine coast; then social work at Brighton is for you. "

Olivia

"Doing this course will ultimately allow me to register as a qualified Social Worker and begin my lifelong career in the social care field. This course will also give me the key knowledge and experience (placements etc) needed to succeed and to help those in need successfully. 

"Falmer campus has a lovely atmosphere, with modernised classrooms and common areas. There is great sense of positivity and everyone is very friendly and have a willingness to help.

"Throughout my first year I haven’t spent a great deal of time on campus due to the pandemic, however the time I have spent has been so enjoyable and I look forward to spending more time on campus and catching up with my peers! 

"The staff could not have been more amazing!

"There is very much an open-door policy, where you can approach them with any type of query, big or small! They have been greatly supportive and are truly an asset to the course. As well as their huge bank of knowledge and experience they bring to the course!

"For a few years I wanted to study Social Work, but never had the confidence to do it. However, applying to do it and starting the course has been one of the best things I have ever done and am looking forward to more learning, experiencing and in the future having a career as a social worker."

Isy

"The course has a big focus on anti-oppressive practice and on how to empower people. It has improved my understanding of people around me and in my future career I think I will be able to work with service users in a person-centred way to best support them because of what I have learnt on the course.

"It is such an interesting and rewarding degree to do. I am enjoying the different modules, I particularly enjoyed the module on contemporary social inequalities. 

"My cohort is really lovely and lectures with them are always interesting and engaging.

"All of the lecturers are or have been social workers so you get taught by people who have lived experience of being a social worker. I have found the staff kind and caring.

"I have had lots of support from tutors for my academic work and have had help and guidance for tutors about personal problems as well. The disability and dyslexia team have been helpful and have communicated with me clearly and answered all my questions.

"I feel as though the transition from being in full-time work to full-time education has been made as easy as possible because of support from the staff."

Hannah

"I was offered places at three local universities and Brighton by far was my favourite.

"As a mature student I was very nervous about coming back to study. The staff are all extremely friendly and kind – I instantly felt comfortable and knew that this was the learning environment for me.

"The course is very well put together and the teaching has been very supportive. There are plenty of opportunities to work in groups and to share ideas and experiences.

"The teaching staff are fantastic.

"All of the tutors are always open to hear feedback and to lend extra support when needed. It has been an amazing experience this year getting to know them and other staff members.

"The campus itself is in such a beautiful setting and well laid out with plenty of coffee shops and some really lovely work/social areas too. The views from outside are also stunning."

Jules

"As an older student I had been out of education for quite some-time. I appreciated that the course entry requirements valued life experience as well as academic qualifications.

"When I had my interview at the university, I was struck by the lecturers welcoming and friendly spirit.

"The lecturers want you to succeed. They are knowledgeable and supportive and their door is always open. Importantly, the lecturers themselves keep on top of all the latest research connected to social work, or, they are researchers themselves.

"Each lecturer has a chosen field within social work that they are passionate about. Their passion resonates when they are teaching and there was also the opportunity to talk/work with people of lived experience of social workers/social services. This was invaluable.

"My first placement was with a local charity supporting younger people who may be at risk of becoming homeless. It opened my eyes to some the obstacles that younger people face regarding housing and I learnt about housing law.

"My second placement was a complete contrast. I worked within a multi-disciplinary team made up of clinical/social work professionals. The team supported people experiencing mental health difficulties.

"The learning from both placements was invaluable.

"The social work course has quite honestly changed my life. When I graduated, I found a job straight away. I work within a substance usage service within the statutory sector. I am finally doing a job that does not feel like work; it is a passion and a privilege.

"Having a social work degree opens many avenues of practice to explore and opportunities to progress your career to senior social worker and more."

Jules Cave

Grace

"I chose the University of Brighton because after researching other institutions, I was very impressed by how detailed the course curriculum was and what the future prospects could be. This course prepares you for the real world of social work; you go into the job market prepared and ready to do the job without any nasty surprises.

"My placement experiences were complete polar opposites, with the first involving work with young people and the final with older people. The opportunity to have had both voluntary and statutory placements richly developed me personally, my skills, knowledge and most importantly made me the social worker that I am today.

"The best part of the course for me was the teaching staff, each of whom have their own style and approach but are all equally always so very helpful and eager to help, motivate and see their students succeed. An inspirational group of people who work tirelessly to help mould every future social worker.

"I got a job offer even before graduation and I currently work in adult services in an integrated multi-disciplinary team which brings together a wider range of professionals from community services, social care, mental health, pharmacy and third sector based around groups of GP Practices.

"I am so very proud to have studied social work and to also be a University of Brighton alumni."

Grace Dawson

Mia

"I was offered at two local universities and I chose Brighton due to the staff. My first impression was that they came across as approachable and extremely supportive, more importantly I felt that we had a similar value base that I instantly resonated with.

"I could not have asked for a more supportive team of staff. I feel very blessed to have had them to encourage me during my own person struggles over the three-year degree.

"I most enjoyed the opportunity to get a varied experience on my placements. My final placement was an incredible experience having had the opportunity to work in forensic mental health. I was able to work in a challenging environment and work beyond my comfort zone which was a fantastic learning curve. This placement also affirmed my decision to pursue a career in social work within a mental health sector and working within a multidisciplinary team.

"I am now employed by West Sussex County Council on the ASYE programme in the Horsham Community Team for my first year of working, thereafter I will work toward working in mental health recovery, hospital or community work as there are many adult teams.

"I had not studied for almost 20 years. I did an access course and applied to university as a single mother with a young child. If I can do it so can you, it is so worth it, you will never look back !!"

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Programme specification

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