On successful completion of the course, students will be awarded a BA in Social Work. This is the qualification you need to be eligible to register as a social worker with the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
In recognition of the need to ensure that good applicants are encouraged to apply for the degree, the Government makes available a bursary or grant that most students will be eligible for.
The pattern of days in College/on placement varies between and within years.
The three years of the course will give students time to broaden and deepen their knowledge, and some themes, for example, values; will be revisited in each year of the course.
Subjects to be studied are as follows:
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Within all three years there will be periods of practice in settings in which social work skills can be demonstrated and developed. The extent and level of the assessment of practice will develop over the three years. In addition, students will be assessed before going out on placement, as being ‘ready for practice’.
Full Time Students
Full-time students will attend college for four days per week throughout the year, except for one, full-time 30 day placement beginning in April.
Full-time students will attend college for three days per week in term one and a total of ten days in terms two and three. Students will undertake a 80-day placement during terms two and three.
Full-time students will attend college for three days per week in term one and a total of ten days in terms two and three. Students will undertake a 90-day placement during terms two and three.
Part Time Students
Students who wish to study part-time may do so. In conjunction with a tutor such students will work out a pathway through the degree, deciding on which modules to study in which years. Applicants who wish to study part-time should note that placements must be undertaken on at least a 3-day per week basis.
AP(E)L
Some individuals (whether intending to study on a part-time or full-time basis) may be able to have their previous learning to be taken into account to gain exemptions from one or more modules.
Secondment
Secondment by employer – If you are employed by a Local Authority Social Services Department, or a voluntary agency, it may be possible to obtain secondment. If you wish to pursue this possibility you should contact your Staff Development Department.
The Bursary
The bursary – The bursary is like a grant and means that students will no longer have to depend on just the repayable loan for the duration of their studies. The bursary is payable to all social work students who are not funded by their employer. Please see www.gscc.org.uk for current rates.
Once qualified and in social work employment, it will be possible to pursue a Post-Qualifying Award in a specialist area of practice. Practice Education Award Module 1 is available at New College Durham.
The BA in Social Work is the relevant professional qualification for the full range of social work jobs in the statutory, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Assessment of your competence will be on-going throughout the course, in college and on placement.
College-based work will be assessed by way of written assignments, presentations, tests and a dissertation in Level 3.
On placement your practice will be assessed against the National Occupational Standards for social work
Applications for September 2012 must be made through UCAS. If you miss the UCAS January 15 2012 deadline you may still make a late application through UCAS.
Entry Requirements
• Applicants must have 240 UCAS tariff points overall. These must be obtained from A Levels, AVCE, National Award/Certificate/Diploma or equivalent qualifications.
• Additionally applicants must have GCSE English Language and Mathematics Grade C or above (or equivalent qualifications, eg Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number).
• Possession of appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be a social worker, and meet the required standards by the end of the course.
• Ability to understand and make use of written material and ability to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English (or equivalent for students with sensory impairments).
• International students must be in possession of International English Language Test (ILETS) at level 7 in listening, speaking, reading and writing modules.
Entry requirements for mature applicants:
A mature student is any student who will be 21 years old or over on 1 September 2011. For these students the entry requirements are as follows:
• Achievement of Key Skills level 2, or equivalent, in English and Mathematics. An equivalent qualification would be GCSE grade C in Maths and English. Applicants without these qualifications may still apply as support can be offered to assess applicants in these subjects and bring them up to the required standard, before the start of the course.
A QAA recognised Access to Higher Education qualification is an acceptable entry qualification for mature applicants, alternatively mature applicants will be considered for entry as long as they fulfill the DoH and GSCC requirements.
Process:
Once the college has received your application it will go through a short-listing process. All applicants who are short-listed will be invited to a selection day first. On the selection day applicants will:
• Undertake a written test and have an opportunity to tour the College.
If successful, applicants will be invited to a further selection day when they will take part in an observed group discussion and have an individual interview.
This interview will explore four areas:
• Your experience, professional, personal or voluntary.• Your motivation for undertaking the course, including what you have read or know to prepare you for both the interview and the course, and your ability to cope academically.• Your understanding of what social care organisations do and your understanding of problems faced by users of services.• Your understanding of the value base of social work.
At the interview you will be asked to complete a declaration about any previous convictions either spent or unspent, any disciplinary hearing or investigation.
The observed group discussion will be explained on the day.
Offer of a place is subject to satisfactory Health Declaration and an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be offered an unconditional or conditional place.
For information on how to apply please see details in the 'How to Apply' and 'Apply Now' sections of the website. There is a designated BA Social Work enquiry line 0191 375 4416.
Reference: FTHE00097 Last Modified Date: 21/11/2011