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    Social Work - BA (Hons)

    Year of entry
    2022
    Course type
    Single Honours
    Duration of study
    3 years
    Location
    Keele University campus
    Subject area / School
    School of Medicine
    UCAS code
    L500
    • Entry requirements

      • Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

      Please submit your question in the form below and a member our enquiries team will be in touch with you shortly.











      Upon submitting this form, your enquiry will be forwarded on to our enquiries team who will contact you  to answer your question and provide further details about the course that you are interested in.

      Your Preferences




      What we’re going to do with your data and why?

      We will securely store your data and send you essential information (examples include updates on an application or booking confirmations for events such as Open Days).

      We would also like to send you useful information about studying at University (particularly Keele) and/or the courses that you have shown an interest in. To do this we need your consent and information on which communication channels you would like to hear from us on (please see opt-in boxes above).

      We will never sell your data to a third party. We only ever share data with companies involved in helping us communicate with you or helping us to manage your data (examples include; Online forms, Printers, Postal services, other University partners etc).

      How long are we keeping it?

      We will keep your data for the year that you first enquire with us plus 6 subsequent years. This is to ensure that you are legally protected should you have any issues with the use of your data.

      Unsubscribe

      By selecting no to the preferences above you will have unsubscribed, however, this does not mean that your data has been deleted. If you would like to invoke your right to be forgotten please refer to the section below.

      What to do if I change my mind?

      To change your preferences after you have closed this form, simply reopen the link to this page. For further information about how your data is held, including your right to be forgotten, please contact dpa@keele.ac.uk
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    Course overview

    This undergraduate Social Work programme is accredited by Social Work England. Once the course is successfully completed, you are eligible to apply to join the register as a social worker.

      Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

      Please submit your question in the form below and a member our enquiries team will be in touch with you shortly.











      Upon submitting this form, your enquiry will be forwarded on to our enquiries team who will contact you  to answer your question and provide further details about the course that you are interested in.

      Your Preferences




      What we’re going to do with your data and why?

      We will securely store your data and send you essential information (examples include updates on an application or booking confirmations for events such as Open Days).

      We would also like to send you useful information about studying at University (particularly Keele) and/or the courses that you have shown an interest in. To do this we need your consent and information on which communication channels you would like to hear from us on (please see opt-in boxes above).

      We will never sell your data to a third party. We only ever share data with companies involved in helping us communicate with you or helping us to manage your data (examples include; Online forms, Printers, Postal services, other University partners etc).

      How long are we keeping it?

      We will keep your data for the year that you first enquire with us plus 6 subsequent years. This is to ensure that you are legally protected should you have any issues with the use of your data.

      Unsubscribe

      By selecting no to the preferences above you will have unsubscribed, however, this does not mean that your data has been deleted. If you would like to invoke your right to be forgotten please refer to the section below.

      What to do if I change my mind?

      To change your preferences after you have closed this form, simply reopen the link to this page. For further information about how your data is held, including your right to be forgotten, please contact dpa@keele.ac.uk

    Top 10

    for Student Experience Times Good University Guide, 2020

    Top 10

    in England for Overall Student Satisfaction NSS, 2021 (broad-based public universities)

    Winner

    Global Sustainability Institution of the Year Green Gown Awards, 2020

    Student testimonials

    sian-holland-griffiths

    Sian Holland-Griffiths

    "Keele has smaller group sizes, a beautiful campus and the staff are friendly and helpful. If you have a problem, even if it is not university related, you can turn up at their office door, they are happy to help. "

    Picture of Evie Daniel

    Evie Daniel, Graduate

    "The course layout and placement opportunities were the main reasons why I chose to study at Keele, as they allow for me to develop my skills whilst being supported by the University. When carrying out assignments, lecturers are available to answer any questions and support students when needed."

    Course content

    This programme embraces the social sciences, ethics and the law as they relate to social work theory and practice, as well as benefiting from practitioners and service users and carers input at all stages of the programme. 

    Keele University is a member of The West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership to strengthen the quality of education and training for social work students and practitioners across the West Midlands. The partnership includes local authorities, children's trusts, NHS trusts and universities. The partnership is led by principal social workers, workforce development leads and senior academics across children's and adult services.

    Social Work engages with a diverse range of people and groups, both adult and children, to address complex life challenges and enhance wellbeing. The social work programme is current, led by research active academic staff with contributions from Social Work practitioners, service users and other professionals. You will develop both the understanding and skills to make a difference, to people’s lives. You will also gain vital experience through both university and practice settings to prepare you for a rewarding and challenging career.

     

    Variations to 2020/21 courses

    Entry requirements

    Keele is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. On that basis we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria.

    The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom and International students.

    If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, Foundation Year offers an alternative route to study for this degree.

    Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

    A compulsory Enhanced plus Barring Lists DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Enhanced check will need to be completed by anyone accepted on the course before they begin their placements with social work practice providers. Completing placements are mandatory for all students.

    The University follows the DBS Code of Practice in these issues and can provide a copy of the Code on request.

    Health checks

    Whilst there is not a formal health check completed by all candidates, prospective students are required to sign a Declaration of Suitability/Fitness to Practice for Social Work form. Depending on the information supplied by candidates, the programme director may seek clarification on any potential health concerns and this may also require further consultation with your GP or the university’s Occupational Health department.

    Interview

    All prospective candidates need to complete an interview. This will usually be held at the university on the selection day where the candidate will be asked questions by a panel comprising a social work academic, a social work practitioner and a service user. Successful completion of this interview is required to be invited onto the course.

    Admissions Tests/Institutions Own Test (IOT)

    Candidates for the social work programme will be selected through a two-part process. Initially, the candidate’s application form and personal statement will be read and its suitability assessed. As well as reaching the required academic standards, the candidate’s personal statement should demonstrate a clear understanding of social work and its values. If this is achieved, candidates will then be invited to a selection day, which will include a written task, a group discussion and an individual interview with academic staff, a social work practitioner and a service user (in most cases). Only those deemed competent via this process will be offered a place. Candidates must also complete a written declaration of their suitability to undertake social work training in respect of health status, criminal convictions and other matters.

    A LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

    • A Level requirement BBC

    GCSE REQUIREMENTS

    • Maths at C (or 4)
    • English Literature or Language at C (or 4)
    • Functional Skills or City & Guilds Adult Literacy and Numeracy at level 2 accepted as an alternative

    BTEC

    • BTEC requirements DMM

    INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

    • 29 points

    ACCESS TO HE DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS

    • Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 L3 credits at Distinction

    IELTS

    • An overall score of 7 is required with no less than 6.5 in each subtest taken in one sitting.

    PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

    International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

    These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

    Foundation year

    You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

    If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

    Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

    The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

    The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

    For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

    Foundation year

    Foundation Year Overview

    If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into our BA (Hons) Social Work, our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree. This tab provides information relating to: 

    • Indicative modules for the Foundation Year
    • Foundation Year entry requirements
    • Information on how to apply
    • UCAS code for this course 

    Course Content

    Our Foundation Year  allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our  foundation year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

    This Foundation Year is a is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BA (Hons) Social Work. For example, in the Academic and Professional Development for Health module you will begin to develop an awareness of professional standards that you will be working to in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

    You will gain a greater appreciation of historical and contemporary approaches to health and social care within the UK, considering key health issues and challenges facing health and science services. We will develop your understanding of  the concept of social inclusion, the factors that lead to exclusion and the impact this may have on individuals, families and communities. At the same time, you will develop academic and professional standards, attributes, knowledge, skills and values, both as a current learner and future healthcare worker.

    You will develop subject-specific and broad based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, including information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting our homepage. 

    Course Structure

    The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

    Semester One Modules

    FYO-00273 Foundations of Law  15 credits
    FYO-00201 Foundations of Psychology 15 credits
    FYO-00263 Foundations of Social Sciences 1 15 credits

    Semester Two Modules

    FYO-00269 Advancing Social Sciences 30 credits
    FYO-00245 Foundations in Health and Society 15 credits

    Year long modules (Semesters One and Two)

    FYO-00181 Academic and Professional Development 30 credits

    ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

    A-levels

    Alternative Qualifications

    Additional GCSE requirements

    86 UCAS points 

    Further information

    GCSE English Language at grade C (or 4) and Maths at grade C (or 4). Functional Skills level 2 are accepted as equivalent qualifications

     

    Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.   

    How to Apply

    UCAS Applications

    Visit UCAS for applications. You should apply for Social Work with Foundation Year

    UCAS code: L502

    Direct Entry Students

    If you are already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

    To find additional course information to complement the information on this tab, please view our Foundation Year programme specifications.

    The offer you receive will be determined by your subject and application.

    Information for students returning to education

    We are interested in a broad range of qualities, not just your points on entry. We would like to learn more about you, your interests, experiences and motivation to study.

    We would be delighted to talk to you about your work experience (paid or voluntary) and qualifications, and help you to explore your options for study with us.

    Contact us via admissions@keele.ac.uk

    Fees and funding

    Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

    We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

    For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

    Career prospects

    96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

    Your Social Work degree from Keele will enable you to be eligible to register as a social worker with the Health and Care Professions Council, which will enable you to practice as a social worker in England in the voluntary and statutory sector.

    The degree will also open up a range of directly related careers in contexts, some of which may require additional training, such as health, charities, education, local government, probation and the prison service. Other less directly related options include working as a youth worker, careers adviser, community development worker or counsellor.

    Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

    Additional opportunities

    Foundation year Learn a language Study abroad Explore more

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    Social work at Keele University

    Evie Daniel, Graduate

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