Social Welfare BA Hons

This course will develop your understanding of the contested and diverse nature of social welfare services and provision, and will develop your knowledge and ability.

What constitutes a fair and just society? What do factors like being a member of a minority group, have on the life of an individual and their position in society? What is the relationship between the citizen, the state and politics and how does this affect welfare provision? This course can provide answers to relevant questions, enabling you to work with a range of groups in a variety of contexts across the range of welfare services.

In Year 2 there is a mandatory work-based learning opportunity which in combination with selected optional modules will enable you to develop a specific focus to your studies, for instance, work with vulnerable children or adults, the development of counselling skills, support for the homeless, housing, mental health and substance misuse. Alternatively you may wish to remain generic or consider developing a social policy research profile.

Factfile
Entry requirements
Course content
Student views
Earn as you learn

UCAS code

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Social Welfare BA (Hons) (Single Honours) L510 BA/SW

It is also possible to study this degree in combination with other courses. For the latest information, check the UCAS website at www.ucas.com

Study options

Single Honours, Joint

Full or part-time routes available

Get in touch

Admissions Office
01905 855111
admissions@worc.ac.uk

Miriam Isaac
Field Leader
01905 855472
m.isaac@worc.ac.uk

220-240 UCAS Tariff points

Enhanced CRB disclosure is required in Year 2

Modules

An Introduction to Law & Statutory Regulation
Concepts of Disability
Counselling Skills for the Workplace
Criminal Justice & Social Welfare
Current Themes & Issues in Working with Adults
Domestic Abuse
Families, Myths, the State & Welfare
Housing, Housing Conflict & Homelessness
Interpersonal Skills for the Workplace
Interventions in Social Welfare
Leading & Managing in Health & Social Care
Philosophy, Values & Practice
Policy, Ideology & Welfare
Professional Judgement & Decision-making
Research Process & Epistemology
Social Policy
Social Psychology for Social Welfare
Social Theory, Social Welfare & Social Change
Substance Use & Misuse
User Involvement in Health & Welfare Services
Protection of Vulnerable Adults
Politics, Policy & Welfare
You, Me & Society
Safeguarding Children
Mental Health in Social Welfare

Assessment

Assessment is student centred and has clear objectives. A variety of methods are used in assessing learning throughout this course. These include; oral presentations, case studies, seminar papers, essays, an independent study and evaluation of resource material.

Georgina Linton

Student, Social Welfare BA (Hons)

"The University of Worcester is friendly and not too big, which makes it an excellent place to study. I have specialised in the legal and crime aspects of social care. I would like to help people with drug problems and would eventually like to work for the probationary services."

Academic department

Institute of Health & Society

“The University is a leading innovator in the fields of health and social care. Unique appointments such as the UK’s first professors of perinatal education and tissue viability demonstrate our commitment to research excellence.”
Louise Jones, Head of Institute

Employability

Social Welfare graduates have consistently maintained a high level of employment in the sector for which they have studied and trained. Most students who graduate from this programme enter a people oriented or care related occupation, and this covers a wide range of careers working in the social welfare and voluntary sector.

The range of careers is very diverse and can be illustrated from examples drawn from the 2010 graduating students, 87% of whom were successful in gaining work in the following careers: Residential support worker; Disability support worker; Family key worker; Senior community access worker; Mentor for young offenders; Support officer for the homeless; Staff tutor for autism; Support worker in women’s refuge; Student support worker (disability) in FE college; Senior welfare and financial assessment officer, Local Authority; Senior care practitioner; Learning disability support worker and classroom assistant.

From year one there are opportunities for paid or voluntary placements with a wide range of organisations. Most of our students work at least PT. Some areas of work presently undertaken include: working with the homeless, youth work, Sure Start Children’s centres, family support work, Home Start residential, work with adults with disabilities, drug and alcohol support workers, education learning assistants, CAB and similar advice centres and summer children’s schemes.

All students undergo safeguarding training and have an enhanced CRB check.