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The first-class new home for our healthcare teaching and research providing students with skills to meet the needs of 21st century careers.
“You have to be committed to studying and your placement, not only as part of the degree, but also as part of the profession. Research ways you can enhance your UCAS application. Employers look for experience, so volunteer, or work in areas such as support or enabling. Use the supportive framework within the University. Your tutors, the practice learning team, and lecturers are all there to support you, but they won’t ‘spoon-feed’ you. You need to be able to embrace ‘self-directed learning’ and a sense of autonomy, but don’t be afraid to ask for help when you really need it.”
SW401
What is Social Work?
20 credits
This module introduces students to the complexities of social work and professional practice. Students explore how social work has evolved into its current professional status. Students are introduced to key social work themes, identifying the multi-dimensional and changing contexts in which social work occurs, and the impacts on service user and carer experiences.
100% Coursework
SW402
Human Development and Wellbeing I
20 credits
This module provides a multi-dimensional perspective of human growth and wellbeing by considering various theoretical frameworks. It engages with concepts such as grief, trauma and loss, vulnerability, stress, resilience and coping. It explores the human life cycle as well as the impact of variables such as socio-cultural change and intergenerational issues.
100% Coursework
SW403
Values and Ethics in Practice
20 credits
Students are introduced to the importance, relevance and impact of values, attitudes and beliefs in social work. They explore key concepts and perspectives underpinning the development of belief systems. The relationship with professional practise, service users, professional regulation and law is considered. Students develop skills in critical self-reflection from a personal and professional viewpoint.
100% Coursework
SW404
Contexts for Social Work: Organisations, Policy and Law
20 credits
This module introduces students to key contemporary legislation and policy underpinning social work practice. Students explore the application of law and policy to anti-oppressive practice and the organisation and delivery of social care.
100% Coursework
SW405
Understanding the Social World
20 credits
This module introduces students to foundational social theory in order to assist them to engage in critical analysis of the person in context.
100% Coursework
SW406
Developing Professional Skills
20 credits
This module provides the opportunity to explore and develop skills relating to the social work role. Skills rehearsal in student groups develops communication skills central to social work. Students engage in teaching and learning activities related to social work assessment. They also undertake 30 days’ ‘readiness for direct practice’ to prepare them for practice learning in stages 2 and 3 of the programme.
HIPL400
Interprofessional Learning 1
SW501
What is Social Work? II
20 credits
Students develop their understanding of contemporary social work by exploring critical themes and debates which serve to define notions of professional identity. Building on SCW451 content, students engage with knowledge and perspectives congruent with promoting the transition to a professional identity, incorporating global and national perspectives of social work practices.
SW502
Enhancing Professional Skills
20 credits
This module explores how knowledge is applied in direct work with children and families, adults and groups. Building on Stage One, specialist communication skills and assessment strategies are considered to understand how they can inform decision-making. Anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles, methods and models underpinning social work are explored to promote value-based assessment.
SW503
Contexts for Social Work: Organisations, Policy and Law II
20 credits
This module will explore the range of policies and laws that provide the mandate for social work intervention in relation to different service user and carer groups. The module explores organisational contexts and cultures and their relevance to the understanding and application of law and policy in practice
100% Examinations
SW504
Human Development and Wellbeing II
20 credits
Building on learning from the Stage One module ‘Human Development and Wellbeing’, this module will enable students to develop their knowledge base to critically analyse and understand the role of social work in promoting human development and the wellbeing of individuals and their families, groups and communities.
SW505
Evidence-Informed Social Work Practice with People who are Marginalised
20 credits
This module focuses on the social processes that combine to marginalise particular social groups and the impacts of this. Students will develop their skills of critically appraising research studies in relation to a marginalised group of their choice.
100% Coursework
SW506
Integrated Practice I
20 credits
This module will enable students to develop their professional identity through the integration of theory, methods, skills, knowledge and values within practice. Combining classroom and practice-based learning and opportunities it will provide students with a repertoire of critical knowledge, skills, evidenced based and informed responses and interventions congruent with working with people and situations across a plethora of society
SW601
Evidence-Informed Interventions in Social Work Practice
20 credits
The module will identify Evidence-Informed Social Work Practice, as the synthesis of practice wisdom; service user experience; and research evidence. The focus is on Social Workers as consumers of research accessing existing repositories of evidence such as systematic reviews and other research, reported in peer-reviewed journal articles. Students complete systematic literature searches to identify the current available evidence on a specific social work intervention.
100% Coursework
SW602
Wellbeing: Accountability, Risk and Professional Decision-Making
20 credits
The module is designed to enable students to develop and apply their knowledge and understanding of professional social work accountability; risk assessment, risk management; and professional decision making in social work with adults, children and families.
100% Coursework
SW603
Social Work Methods and Approaches
20 credits
This module focuses on the dynamic nature of social work practice by exploring contemporary and emerging issues. Students will explore how social work adapts to new challenges while staying consistent to the ethics, values and compassion in social work practice. Students will consider how social work theories, methods, approaches and new ways of working are adapted in complex or emerging areas both now and in the future.
SW604
Social Work Dissertation
40 credits
This module enables students to build on skills established across the programme. Students will identify an area of social work practice that is pertinent to their current practice or to their professional development. They will identify the rationale for the choice of topic and develop a review of what constitutes Evidence Informed Practice in relation to that topic. They will highlight points of critical appraisal on relevant research studies
100% Coursework
SW605
Integrated Practice II
20 credits
The module enables students to consolidate their professional identity through integration of theory, methods, skills and values in practice. Teaching and practice learning provide students with a repertoire of evidenced informed responses congruent with complex practice situations. The module seeks to prepare students for the socio-legal and procedural aspects of statutory social work.
UCAS tariff
104 - 120
Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.
New student | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 * |
---|---|---|
Home | £9,250 | £9,535 |
International | £18,100 | £18,650 |
Part time (Home) | £770 | £795 |
* UK Government announcement on tuition fees
On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.
Our BA (Hons) Social Work course is ranked in the top 10 for social work courses in the UK, according to the Complete University Guide, 2023
.Become a ‘Registered Social Worker’ on completion
Degree recognised by Social Work England
<An excellent variety of placements, working in real-life adult and childcare settings
“When I saw the curriculum, I saw a diverse learning opportunity that would allow me to experience a wide range of social work services. In my first year I worked both in children’s services and with adults with learning disabilities.”
“A lot of people have a preconceived idea about what social work is, and I feel the course breaks this down well. The more I learn the more I feel like I am really stepping into the role.”
“The second year of university provided an eye-opening journey, I would have never expected to gain such a vast range of knowledge and experiences from a degree. My practice placement was at British Red Cross Refugee Services and my degree equipped me with the knowledge to engage with the service users and provide the information or support they required.”
“Plymouth prepared me well for the challenges of my career. My final year placement gave me an insight into the work I would be carrying out and the course helped me develop the skills needed to succeed in an environment where you must be creative in finding solutions.”
“The University was very supportive and nurturing and allowed me to leave feeling confident in my ability to perform as a social worker; this had a significant impact on my career aspirations. Further to this, the placements that I went on during my time at Plymouth gave me the experience I needed to take the next steps in my career.”
Thinking about coming to study in Plymouth? Find the answers to many of your questions here, as well as links to places where you can discover more.