Social Work BSc(Hons)

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. You are supported by regular individual and group tutorials, and there are important contributions from carers, service users and practitioners from partner agencies. 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 our applicant portal.

Practice learning

Learning about and in practice is a core part of your training. You must spend at least 170 days in practice settings, plus 30 days of skills-based activity.

For the first placement, when the emphasis is on generic skills and learning, you are likely to work in the private, voluntary or independent sector. Second placements take place in settings where there are opportunities for you 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.

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 HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers in England. Details can be found on the HCPC website.

Placements vary from year to year, and have to date included:

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

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.

• Social Policy and Social Welfare

  This module introduces you to the study of social policy and to main components of the welfare state. Focusing on service provision, it broadens an understanding of the complexity of the formation and implementation of social policy within the UK, noting and discussing the policy divergences which have occurred since devolution.

  The module will embrace a wide and inclusive understanding of the subject in a way that will engage and challenge your thinking.

• 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.

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, Children and Families: Skills, Theory and Context
• Social Work Practice with Adults, Children and Families: Law, Policy and Protection
• Practice Learning 1
• Developing Analytic and Reflective Social Work Practice

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 Project
• Contemporary Social Work
• Practice Learning 2

Cupp

We strongly believe that it is our duty to use our knowledge and resources for social benefit, which is why we set up the Community University Partnership Programme (Cupp) back in 2003.

Cupp is an award-winning project that aims to tackle disadvantage and promote sustainable development through partnership with local organisations. Our combined efforts have made a tangible difference to the effectiveness of community sectors and the lives of local people.

As a Brighton student, you will have the opportunity to volunteer through Cupp and work in the community yourself, all the while developing your vocational skills and gaining valuable work experience.

Course fees

Social work bursary information

Universities in England have been advised about NHS Social Work bursary allocations for students enrolling on their course in the2018–19 academic year (postgraduate) and for those entering their second year of the undergraduate degrees.

We will shortly be submitting our nomination list for students who have completed their first year with us. There are no bursaries for first year students in England, but those entering their final two years are all considered for nomination to the NHS who then assess eligibility (mainly based upon residence). Although the total number of students eligible is likely to exceed the number of bursaries once more, it is likely that the majority of our students will be successful in receiving a bursary.

We do use a prioritisation process based upon that set out within national guidance for our bursary nominations. This means that we will prioritise applicants based upon their prior educational achievement and interview performance, performance during year one of the degree in academic work and attendance, taking other factors into account where appropriate and particularly in the event of a tie-break situation.

Those we cannot nominate but who are otherwise eligible, we will include on the reserve list and these students may also receive travel support monies from the NHS as per the detailed information on the web page provided below.

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

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

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/EU 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.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. 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. Before you apply check with us for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly. You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus