Social Work (Extended Degree)

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to embark on a demanding but incredibly rewarding career with our BSc (Hons) Social Work degree at Northumbria.

During your course, you will gain confidence and knowledge of social work, ensuring you are ready to support and improve the lives of everyday people, from all walks of life.

Covering modules in Social Work Assessment and Intervention, Policy and Law, Ethics, Research, Safeguarding, and Leadership, you will gain knowledge which you can apply to your practice placements and, subsequently, your future employment.

At Northumbria, you will be taught by leading academics who have extensive practical experience in a wide range of social work contexts. Furthermore, successful completion of the course, will enable you to apply for registration with Social Work England - a legal requirement for all practising social workers in England.

How does this Social Work course prepare me for work?

The course is delivered through a range of learning and assessment methods, designed to ensure you can gain lots of transferable skills, such as independence, team working, research skills, leaderships, and time management. These skills are vital for any career, including Social Work.

As well as this, you will take part in 170 days of assessed placements in the final two years of study. This will be a fantastic way to get hands-on, help real people, and get a real feel for the kind of clinical settings which you may work in after your studies.

BSc (Hons) Social Work is accredited by Social Work England (SWE) with conditions. Students who successfully complete the course can apply to be registered with SWE and therefore will be able to practice as a Social Worker in England.

Extended Degree
This extended degree provides an alternative route to higher education and supports those who don’t meet the standard entry requirements for an undergraduate degree. It includes a foundation year where you will explore a wide range of topics relating to health, education and social care.

What will I learn in my Foundation Year?
In the foundation year, you will establish a solid foundation in key debates, theory, and practice, while developing research skills relevant to health, education, and social care. You will deepen your understanding of the broader factors influencing health, education, and social care, and will learn the necessary skills to advance to the degree level.

The foundation year of the course delivered at level 3 which develops your ability to study in Higher Education is not accredited. Subsequent levels and years are accredited and deliver the knowledge, competencies, and skills required to meet the specific course accreditation requirements that relate to the approved accredited award title.

Joining the Northumbria means joining a business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence. Northumbria are currently ranked Gold for student outcomes and Silver for overall teaching excellence (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023).

Located in Newcastle, Northumbria University is home to an enormous student population of 31,170, and consequently, some of the best nightlife scenes in the country! Newcastle also has one of the lowest costs of living in the country (We Buy Any Home, 2024), so you don't have to break the bank to have fun either!

There's truly something for everyone at Northumbria! You can make use of the fantastic facilities including the £30 million flagship Sports Central. And if exploring is more your thing? You're never far from beaches, stunning countryside and local history.

Find out more about Northumbria and get in touch today!