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Scottish Social Services Council

Classes are in the Dalhousie Building

Social Work

BA (Hons)

Social Workers come to public attention when they play leading roles in contentious and often sensationalised criminal cases, working closely with the legal and medical professions and police forces. Their less visible day-to-day work is, however, fundamental to the operation of successful, just and participative societies.

Our programme offers a range of practice placements so that you can enter your career with confidence, drawing on experience from these different settings.

Why
Teaching & Assessment
Careers
Entry Requirements
Fees/Funding
Your Application

Why study Social Work at Dundee?

Professionals in this field need to have a good understanding of the legal, political and organisational basis of society and the fundamentals of human development and behaviour. Many have specialised training in areas such as:

mental health
criminal justice
child care and protection
the care of vulnerable adults

Our programme draws heavily on the expertise of users of social work services and carers, as well as wider stakeholders such as local authority, voluntary agency and private agency staff. Users of social work inform many aspects of the programme such as assessment and also work alongside lecturers to deepen your understanding of their needs.

Alongside developing knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities, the programme will provide you with an underpinning knowledge about ethical theory and will stimulate discussion and reflection on your own ethics.

There is a strong commitment within the School of Education, Social Work and Community Education to provide you with experience of working with other caring professions. You will be offered a strong inter-professional thread throughout the four years of the degree, including practice learning opportunities within inter-professional settings.

"I believe the course has an effective learning process, balancing practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of social work practice. I appreciate the efforts of lecturers and it is evident they have a passion for the subject being taught".
Final year student comment from the National Student Survey 2010

What's so good about Social Work at Dundee?

Practical Experience

The framework for social work education in Scotland sees practice as an essential requirement of the new qualification. There will be a minimum of 200 days of practice learning working in at least two contrasting settings providing services to at least two user groups.

"There's a real sense of community between students and lecturers. Studying social work can be quite demanding but rewarding at the same time. The practice placements make it all worthwhile."
Liane McGovern, from Middlesbrough, 2nd year student - BA Social Work

Professional Accreditation

This programme is accredited by The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

What is the best thing about your course and why?

"The content is very interesting and it is easy to see how important social work is and how it can be applied in practice. The tutors are very supportive too."
Steve Anderson, 2nd year student - BA Social Work

Degree Combinations

BA Social Work

Teaching & Assessment

This degree course is based in the School of Education, Social Work and Community Education.

A variety of teaching methods is used throughout the programme and the emphasis is on experience and participation.

How you will be taught

You will learn in both individual and group contexts and, with the help of tutorial staff, you are expected to take appropriate responsibility for identifying and seeking to meet your own individual needs in light of previous learning and experience.

The skills of working effectively with others in collaborative practice are emphasised strongly throughout the degree.

In addition to lectures and seminars, you will be involved in 'Enquiry and Action Learning', role-play, video work and practical exercises on interpersonal and group skills training. Your learning will be enhanced using the latest techniques in simulated practice and information and communications technology.

A range of on-line materials will be used to enhance the learning opportunities available, allowing you to easily access material outside the classroom setting.

What you will study

Honours Degree

An honours degree normally takes four years, full time, you study levels 1-4, as described below.

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

Direct entry to Levels 2 and 3 of the programme may be considered where the applicant can provide evidence of the appropriate level of qualifications and experience. This would be discussed at the point of application.

Typical Degree Programme

Level 1

This year introduces you to the fundamentals of your social work training, embedding knowledge, skills and values in relation to reflective and professional practice. You will have an opportunity to learn alongside students from teacher education and community education within a joint module.

There will also be formative practice learning experiences which will give you the opportunity to learn about the community context of social work, the social work role and task and the experience of service users and carers.

Reflective Practice 1
Working Together to Achieve Social Justice 1
Formation of Social Work
Communication
Assessing Human Behaviour in the Social Environment 1

Level 2

This year consolidates learning and reflective skills and the theoretical components underpinning contemporary practice, including the legal context of social work and social policy. You will also learn more about the values base in which social work operates and some of the ethical issues facing us in today's society. The joint learning continues with your peers from teacher education and community learning and development and issues of a national and global level are explored.

You will undertake your first assessed period of practice learning in the second semester which will give you a valuable opportunity to link your academic learning to practice, and to develop your practice skills.

Reflective Practice 2
Social Work Law and Practice
Practice Learning 1
Social Policy
Working Together to Achieve Social Justice 2

Level 3

The third year of the programme gives you an opportunity to develop your knowledge base to encompass more specialist areas of theory and research. This learning has a strong focus on practical application and you will develop a clear and critical understanding of models of social work intervention.

Reflective Practice 3
Models and Methods of Intervention
Reading, Understanding and Applying Research
Assessing Human Behaviour in the Social Environment 2
Working Together to Achieve Social Justice 3

Level 4

This year contains your final practice learning opportunity. You will be required to meet the standards required of a qualifying social worker, and will be given opportunities to consider ongoing professional development needs beyond the programme. The year represents the culmination of all your learning on the programme.

Reflective Practice 4
Professional Practice
Practice Learning 2

How you will be assessed

Assessment methods range from formal examinations to audiovisual project work. The emphasis is on assessed coursework designed to build your knowledge and skills base progressively and systematically.

Careers

The current need for qualified social workers means that the vast majority of graduates find attractive posts within a short time of leaving university. You may find that you can secure employment within one of your placement agencies in advance of finishing your studies. Dundee graduates in recent years have risen to the highest professional levels in social work and related agencies.

Since social workers are employed in a wide range of community and group care settings, providing services for most social groups, there is scope to pursue a career in line with your particular interests. The programme provides you with a generic qualification which will allow you to work across all social work contexts.

Postgraduate Study

Some graduates have continued their studies with us at postgraduate level, studying one of a range of social work programmes on offer.

Entry Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Selection Notes

All successful applicants may be interviewed.
A PVG Scheme Disclosure Scotland Criminal Records check will be conducted along with registration with SSSC prior to final acceptance.
Experience of voluntary or paid work in social care or a related field is very desirable.

Courses starting September 2012

Level 1 entry

Qualification	Grade
SQA Higher	ABB/BBBC
GCE A-Level	AB/CCC
ILC Higher	ABB/BBBC
IB Diploma	29 points (including 5, 5, 4 at Higher Level)
Essential Subjects	A literate subject (SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, ILC Higher or IB Higher Level) and Mathematics at Standard Grade (grade 2), Intermediate 2 (grade C), GCSE (grade B), ILC Ordinary (grade B), IB Subsidiary Level (grade 5)

Other Qualifications

Qualification	Grade
SQA	A relevant HNC
Scottish Baccalaureate	Pass with CC at Advanced Higher with a literate subject at Higher C or above and Mathematics at Standard Grade 2 or Intermediate 2 at C.
SWAP Access Programmes	Relevant subjects with BBB grades to include English Literature/Language at SCQF Level 6 and Mathematics at Intermediate 2 grade C.
EDEXCEL	A relevant HNC
BTEC	A relevant National Diploma
Advanced Diploma	Grade C with an ASL A-Level in a literate subject at C and Mathematics at GCSE grade B.
Welsh Baccalaureate	Pass with CC at A-Level including a literate subject. Mathematics at GCSE grade B.
A pass in SQA Higher English or equivalent and a credit pass in Standard Grade Mathematics or GCSE Mathematics at B or equivalent is also required.
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.

Advanced Entry (to Levels 2 and 3)

Direct entry to Levels 2 and 3 of the programme may be considered where the applicant can provide evidence of the appropriate level of qualifications and experience. This would be discussed at the point of application.

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category	Fees for students starting September 2012	Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students	You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. The 2012 fee will be announced in March 2012, the 2011 fee was £1,820.	School Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships
Students from the rest of the UK	£9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree. You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.	University of Dundee Bursaries School Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships
EU students	You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. The 2012 fee will be announced in March 2012, the 2011 fee was £1,820.	Other Scholarships
Overseas students (non-EU)	£9,700 per year.	School Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree	UCAS Codes
BA Social Work	L500

UCAS Application Process

International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

Your Home Country - including information about qualifications from individual countries
Fees and Funding
English Language Requirements
International Student Support

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:

Home / EU applicants

Naseem Ahmad (Ms)
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 388 074 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 388 074(from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk

International applicants

International Office
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 388 111 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 388 111 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk