Our degree in Social Work is organised by a partnership group that includes Brunel and 10 London agencies, including a number of local authorities, voluntary and private agencies. The BA is awarded via either the full-time route or via the employment-based route.Entry RequirementsUCAS Tariff - 320 points, from:GCE A and AS-level Tariff points typically from 3 A-levels together with either 1 AS-level or Extended Project Qualification (typical offer BBC, plus a C in either an AS or EPQ). General Studies not accepted; Critical Thinking accepted as 4th AS-level only.Irish Tariff points from 5 subjects.Scottish Tariff points from 3 Advanced Highers, plus 1 Higher.Advanced Diploma Tariff points in Society, Health and Development or Public Services, including an A-level for Additional and Specialist Learning.BTEC ND DDM in a related subject.IB Diploma 32 points including 5 points in a Social Science subject at Higher Level.Access: Pass in a relevant subject (such as Access to Social Work or Access to Social Sciences), including at least 65% of units with Merit or Distinction. For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English Language and Maths.Work experience: All applicants must have at least six months’ relevant work experience in social care.Interview: Candidates are generally interviewed in their agency as part of the selection process. All candidates are then interviewed at the University. This is a two-part process which involves an individual interview followed by a written exercise. Experience and motivation are important.Mature students: A high percentage of our intake are mature students, and these applicants are considered on an individual basis. Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to undertake the academic demands of the course and have substantial, full-time, supervised experience in social work or equivalent. If you are not sure whether you have the requisite academic background, speak with your agency representative or the course leader. Further details are included in the GSCC handbook, How to Qualify for Social Work. Early application is recommended.Course AimsOur Degree in Social Work is organised by a partnership group that includes Brunel University and 10 London agencies, including a number of local authorities, voluntary and private agencies. The BA is awarded via either the full-time route or via the employment-based route. The professional and academic elements of the course are closely integrated throughout. Seminars, tutorials and formal classes are integrated with professional practice and the application of theory to the analysis of social issues and problems.Course ContentLevel 1Supported Learning for Key Skills Introduction to Social Work Social Policy Human Development Practice Learning 1 (30-day placement)Level 2Theoretical Perspectives in Social Work Social Work, Law and the English Legal System Values and Contemporary Issues Reflective Social Work Practice Practice Learning 2 (70-day placement)Level 3Social Research Methods Either Children and Families or Community Care Social work Electives (Family work, Care Management and Networking, Specialist Therapeutic Settings, Psycho-Social Interventions) Practice Learning 3 (100-day placement)Client GroupsChildren and families Mental health work Older people Illness and disabilityMethodsTherapeutic work with individuals Family work Care management Group workTeaching and LearningAttendanceThe course takes place over four calendar, as opposed to academic, years. Over university vacations, the student is involved in both academic and practice learning. Attendance at university is one day a week apart from the autumn term in Year 2, where attendance is 1.5 days a week. In addition, students must commit to a minimum of eight hours a week private study. Employees have their own designated route to the BA (hons) Social Work. Some modules are taught with the full-time students to allow for the widest possible experience. However, we recognise that students undertaking a BA (hons) Social Work while in employment face particular challenges. They also bring considerable experience to the course. We therefore offer regular employee tutorial groups and some modules are taught separately to allow employment-based students the opportunity to share expertise and seek support from each other. Over the four years, students undertake 200 days practice learning organised by their agency. At least 115 days of this is outside their workplace.How will I be taught?Teaching methods combine seminars and tutorials with more formal classes. These emphasise the integration of social science subjects with professional practice and the application of theory to the analysis of social issues and problems.Tutorial and practice teacher supportAll students have a personal tutor during the course, and an experienced assessor on each work placement. Individual and group tutorials are a core timetabled part of the curriculum. The tutor and course leader have particular responsibility for maintaining links between your university-placed and practice-based learning and employment. The professional and academic elements of the course are closely integrated throughout.Expert teachingMany staff are nationally and internationally known for their work. We have an active research centre and lecturers' leading edge thinking feeds directly into your course, making teaching lively and up-to-date. Students benefit from our recent groundbreaking research into: comparative social work, community care, child development, race and social work, and criminal justice. Lecturers include authors of best selling books on citizenship, community care and child protection. Undergraduate teaching also benefits from an increasing number of postgraduate research students who often contribute their specialist expertise to taught modules.AssessmentAssessment in practice placements is continuous and culminates in the placement report, to which both student and practice teacher contribute. Academic work is assessed through a range of assignments, with published submission dates. These include tests, presentations, essays and revealed examinations. As there is no compensation between practice assessments and university assessment, both elements must be passed.CareersThe aim of the course is to produce competent practitioners, who are able to work critically and professionally in combating racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination. The course also aims to provide a rigorous and intellectually broadening educational experience. It will develop your understanding of theories, concepts and analytical techniques and research methods from the social sciences, and apply them to social welfare policy and practice to give you a critical understanding of social welfare.Facts and FiguresSchool of Health Sciences and Social CareHealth Sciences and Social Care has become one of the most hotly discussed and debated issues of our time and is a subject that can be studied from a biological, psychological, sociological, philosophical, political, environmental or cultural perspective. It affects us individually and through our families, communities and society as a whole. Health and social care issues have always attracted legal and ethical debates ranging from questions about the beginning and end of life to the difficulties of managing professional health staff. These issues have become more complex as consumers of care services become more demanding and more knowledgeable of their rights. The courses offered at Brunel aim to meet the needs of a wide range of professions as well as individuals who want to explore and think critically about current health and social care issues as a whole. We have a long history of providing courses for health and social care professionals. Most of our courses are supported by various consortia of health trusts or social work agencies. We aim to combine a thorough professional education with academic excellence and have a substantial record of research, innovation and publication which is reflected in the quality and relevance of our teaching, and in our excellent Quality Audit Agency Review of 22 points out of 24.