Social Work BA

Why this course?

Social workers have a responsibility to promote the rights of powerless people, protect the vulnerable and disadvantaged and address the causes and effects of offending behaviour.

Validated by the Scottish Social Services Council and closely aligned to the Standards in Social Work Education, the degree will give you a recognised professional award in social work. It will also prepare you for the challenging role of being a social worker.

You will have the opportunity to study abroad, thanks to our well-established links with New York University.

Classes throughout the four years focus on social work practice issues. Subjects studied include:

• psychology
• social policy
• law
• social work practice
• sociology

In Year 4 you'll write an Honours dissertation.

During the course, you’ll undertake two placements. These placements take place in a variety of social work settings across the west and southern coast of Scotland, including social work departments and voluntary organisations. You’ll get the opportunity to work with children and young people, older people and adults and people with disabilities or mental health problems and people who use criminal justice services.

Students are required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), including protecting vulnerable groups scheme (PVG). This is for successful applicants applying to courses which involve placement opportunities (working with children, young people and vulnerable adults).

You will be assessed by essays, reports, presentations (which may include video), peer group assessments and, in only a few cases, examination.

Learning & teaching

Our teaching methods include:

• lectures
• seminars
• group work
• video
• online resources

The course is delivered by a skilled staff team many of whom hold a professional social work qualification.

Guest lectures

A range of guest lecturers offering expertise in a range of subjects also contribute to the course. This includes input from social work practitioners and people who use services and their families.