Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

SQA National Qualifications

ENTRY: Year 1

SQA Highers:
BBBB plus English Standard Grade 2 or credit equivalent at SQCF level 5, Intermediate 2 or National 5 at grade C or above and Mathematics at Standard Grade 2, Intermediate 2 or National 5 at grade C or equivalent*.

SQA HNC:
(Graded Unit must be achieved at a minimum grade of B). Social Sciences, Social Care or Social Studies or other relevant discipline plus English Literature and English Language at GCSE, Standard Grade 2 or credit equivalent at SQCF level 5, Intermediate 2 or National 5 at grade C or above and Mathematics at Standard Grade 2, Intermediate 2 or National 5 at grade C or equivalent*.

SWAP Students
Will be considered with other applicants and should obtain an overall grade of B or above.

or GCE

A-Levels:
CCC, plus GCSE English Language, English Literature and Mathematics at grade C or above.

Irish Leaving Certificate:
BBBB plus English and Mathematics at least at Ordinary Level with Grade C or above.

or SQA National Qualifications/Edexcel Foundation

SQA HNC:
(Graded Unit must be achieved at a minimum grade of B). Social Sciences, Social Care or Social Studies or other relevant discipline plus: English Literature and English Language at GCSE, Standard Grade 2 or credit equivalent at SQCF level 5, Intermediate 2 or National 5 at grade C or above and Mathematics at Standard Grade 3, Intermediate 2 or National 5 at grade C or equivalent. Please note this is a requirement specified by the Scottish government.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma:
24 points (to include 2 Higher subjects at 4 points plus Mathematics and English at Standard Level Grade 5 or above).

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma:
28 points for consideration to second-year entry (to include 2 Higher subjects at 4 points plus Mathematics and English at Standard Level Grade 5 or above).

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

Additional requirements
It is a requirement of the SSSC, that all social work students are registered with the SSSC and that registration is maintained throughout the duration of studies. It is accepted that initially there can be a delay in some students obtaining registration; therefore, a period of grace may be granted on a case-by-case basis. In no case however will a student be permitted to progress to level 8, without having successfully completed their registration with the Scottish Social Services Council. In the event that for any reason the Scottish Social Services Council declines to offer registration to any student, or subsequently withdraws registration from any student, then that student will be suspended and subsequently withdrawn from the social work programme.

Transfer between programmes
Students cannot currently transfer into this programme.
Applicants who receive an offer to study Social Work on the Dumfries Campus should note that this offer is not transferrable to Paisley. Similarly, students may not transfer from Dumfries to Paisley once enrolled on the programme.

English language proficiency is a requirement, with candidates expected to achieve IELTs average standard of 7.0. It is essential for students to demonstrate skills in literacy and criticality over the course of the degree programmes to fully meet the Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE).

Further desirable skills pre-application

Applicants should include in their personal statement evidence of knowledge and skills they have developed through engagement in any Social Work-relevant work-related activity they have engaged in, whether on a paid or voluntary basis.

General Overview

Social work is located within the School of Education & Social Sciences at UWS, where we currently offer Scottish Social Services Council-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.  The undergraduate programme is focused predominantly on developing the Scottish Social Work workforce, and benefits from strong links with placement providers across the West and South of Scotland. Students in Paisley and Dumfries complete a common programme of study, leading to Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration following successful completion of the Honours year.

Student Learning Journey 

Year 1: Foundations of Social Work 

Year one of the BA (Hons) Social Work programme introduces students to knowledge underpinning Social Work practice and the the diversity of the field of Social Work. Understanding inequality is key to social worker training, as reflected in the updates to the SSSC Standards for Social Work training and students will draw upon a range of Social Science disciplines including Sociology, Social Policy and Psychology and will be engaged in inquiry and research-based learning from the outset of the programme.

UWS students also have the opportunity to engage in a range of learning opportunities, supported by their  Academic Advisor, to enable them to make the most effective use of their time at university. 

Year 2: Developing professional identity, advanced knowledge and skills

Year Two of the  BA (Hons) Social Work programme builds on knowedge and skills developed in Year One and introduces students to more sophisticated understandings of social work theory, the relationship between, theory evidence and practice and specialist knowledge necessary for professional practice. In Year Two, students will develop a range of specialist knowledge and skills with an explicit focus on the development of professionalism to underpin the transition to practice.     

Year 3: Making the transition to professional practice

Year Three of the BA (Hons) Social Work programme focuses on students' transition to practice placement learning. The transition is scaffolded by engagement in an innovative simulated practice module in Term 1 in which students have the opportunity to work collaboratively to apply their knowledge to a range of practice scenarios. In Term 2, students normally attend their first practice placement.

Year 4: Becoming a professional Social Work practitioner

Year Four of the BA (Hons) Social Work programme normally begins with students' final practice placement. In Year Four students also engage with a 'capstone' inquiry/research-based assessment that links their knowledge with their practice experience. Students also engage in activities designed to prepare them for employment as professional Social Workers.  

Learning, Teaching and Assessment

From the outset, students engage with Social Work-specific knowledge and develop their knowledge and skills through individual, small group and full-cohort learning activities supported by an academic staff team with practice and research expertise in a wide range of areas (typically including working with vulnerable youth, children and families, older adults and dementia, mental health, criminal justice, supporting resilience among social work practitioners and social work intervention processes and clinical practice). There is an expectation that students will be ready to learn using a range of online platforms and the programme is delivered in hybrid mode (a blend of online and in-person learning). 

Given the professionally-accredited nature of the programme, there is significant emphasis on applied learning. Students engage in assessed placements (at Levels 9 and 10) typically within Social Work and/or Social Care agencies in the West and South of Scotland.

Students are assessed in a range of ways that may include essays, reports, exams/class tests, e-portfolios, individual and group presentations, reflective written and/or video diaries, role playing.

The programme learning, teaching and assessment strategy is designed to allow students to develop professional knowledge and skills incrementally across four years of full-time study.  During the final year of study students must demonstrate that they are able to meet all Standards in Social Work Education at the qualifying level. 

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

The BA (Hons) Social Work programme is fully aligned with institutional priorities around the development of graduate attributes and with the institutional policy on personal development planning. The mapping of programme and module learning outcomes and employability-integrated assessment ensures the visibility of graduate attributes, employability and citizenship competencies. Personal development is embedded and explicitly signposted in the curriculum, with students provided with regular opportunities to capture and evaluate progression and development, stimulating reflection, self-regulation and constructive engagement with employability. It is recognised that personal development planning is an essential component of lifelong learning and continuing and professional development. To support this activity, all students are provided with access to personal development planning tools. Additionally, students work closely with the Personal Academic Advisor to explore and develop key graduate attributes.  A graduate attributes map has been developed at programme level in order to illustrate how students achieve key graduate attributes over the course of their degree programme and wider engagement with life at UWS. 

The BA (Hons) Social Work provides a coterminous award combining academic and professional features in one qualification. The social work academic staff team maintains close links with a range of organisations such that students receive input from current practitioners and managers, service users and carers.

As noted above, student personal development planning (PDP) is supported through an embedded curriculum model of reflective self-learning across the four years of the BA (Hons) Social Work programme, as per the University of the West of Scotland Personal Development Planning (PDP) Policy (see http://www.uws.ac.uk/about-uws/services-for-staff/learning-innovation/strategies-and-policies/). 

Student support and individualised learning have been prominent and distinctive features of the predecessor programmes of the BA (Hons) Social Work over four decades and staff maintain a strong commitment to this tradition. These features continue at the heart of the current programme. Social Work is a challenging profession, that requires professionals  working in the sector to be able to seek support and guidance appropriately and to self-care. For these reasons, student support and personal development planning remain an integral part of progarmme delievry.

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

The University of the West of Scotland is part of The Learning Network West and practice learning experiences for students at levels 9 and 10 are mainly provided through this organisation. At levels 9 and 10, students spend the equivalent of 160 days in directly assessed practice. Students are supervised in the field by qualified practice teachers, or a person currently undergoing training to become a practice teacher. Link workers, where appropriate, may also be a part of the learning team which supports students on assessed placements. The learning team is comprised of practice teachers, link workers (as appropriate) and the student’s asigned programme tutor.

Please note that any modifications to placement arrangements as a result of Covid-19, or any other unforseen circumstances, will be communicated to students as soon as it is possible to do so.

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Where a programme has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:

Students are required to attend all scheduled learning events and participate in all delivered elements of the programme and to submit assessment on time. Consideration will be given to students who have protection under the appropriate equality law. Please refer to UWS Regulations, Chapter 1, 1.64 – 1.67, available at the following link: http://www.uws.ac.uk/current-students/rights-and-regulations/regulatory-framework

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

Equality and Diversity

Aligned with the overall commitment to equality and diversity stated in the Programme Specifications, the modules supports equality of opportunity for students from all backgrounds and with different learning needs. Learning materials will be presented electronically in formats that allow flexible access and manipulation of content. The programme complies with University regulations and guidance on inclusive learning and teaching practice. Specialist assistive equipment, support provision and adjustment to assessment practice will be made in accordance with UWS policy and regulations. The University’s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy can be accessed at the following link: http://www.uws.ac.uk/equality/

Our partners are fully committed to the principles and practice of inclusiveness and our modules are designed to be accessible to all. Where this module is delivered overseas, local equivalent support for students and appropriate legislation applies.

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of CertHE / DipHE or BA / BSc in Combined Studies.

For students studying BA, BAcc, or BD awards the award will be BA Combined Studies.

For students studying BEng or BSc awards, the award will be BSc Combined Studies.