BA (Hons) Social Work

Note about optional modules (if available): The below is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.

Overview

The degree aims to provide you with the value, knowledge and skill base for social work practice, and is organised around study units, workshops, lectures/seminar courses, projects and private study. The teaching and learning opportunities centre on the key areas of the social sciences and their application to social work practice, as well developing your intellectual capacity, and the skills necessary to get you ready for practice. There is an expectation that you attend at least 85% of all aspects of the programme.

The structured learning includes specific learning in:

• human growth and development, mental health and disability
• Social work theories and methods; assessment, planning, intervention and review
• communication skills with children, adults and those with particular communication needs
• law, and partnership working across professional disciplines and agencies
• social science research methods, including ethical issues 

Practice is central to the degree, and there will be practice placements in two settings and with different service user groups (eg child care and mental health). The learning on the programme builds over the three years and prepares you to apply your knowledge to practice situations. We work closely with a range of practice organisations in the Greater London Area. The placements are allocated by our placement tutor and matched with individual profiles. In some instances you may have to travel long distances to your placement organisation. You will need to cover the cost of travel to your placement. You will be expected to work the core hours of the placement agency.

At Goldsmiths we recognise:

• the unique contribution that all students bring as individuals to the programme in terms of their personal qualities and life experiences
• that professional training builds on the uniqueness of each individual by facilitating the student’s exploration of the values, knowledge base and skills of social work practice
• that it is the student’s responsibility not only to develop a technical acquaintance with the framework of social work practice but also to demonstrate competence through its application in practice
• that social workers are at the interface of society’s attempts to promote welfare

Social workers have a dual responsibility to act within the state’s welfare framework and also to recognise the pervasive influence of oppression and discrimination at an individual and a structural level in most of the situations in which they work. We will prepare you for this professional responsibility.

Year 1 (credit level 4)

In your first year of study, you are introduced to social work as a professional activity and an academic discipline. You consider key concepts such as the nature of need, community, social work services, and the significance of the service user perspective. Major theoretical approaches within the social sciences and their relationship to social work will be investigated, as will studies in professional development for practice, where you will have the opportunity to shadow a qualified social worker. 

You will study the following modules:

Module title	Credits
Introduction to Social Work	30 credits
Community Needs and Services	30 credits
Introduction to Social Sciences	30 credits
Professional Development for Practice	30 credits

Year 2 (credit level 5)

In your second year, you address issues of life-span development and are given a grounding in methods of intervention.

Your assessed practice consists of 70 days in a student social work role; this gives you the chance to develop your communication and social work practice skills with service users, and to work in partnership across professional disciplines and agencies. You are also provided with an introduction to assessment in social work and to the links between social work theory and practice.

You'll take the following modules: 

Module title	Credits
Human Growth and Development	30 credits
Assessment in Social Work	30 credits
Social Work Skills and Methods	30 credits
Social Work Practice Learning Year 1	90 credits

Year 3 (credit level 6)

Your third year gives you an overview of the legal and organisational context of social work and extends your knowledge and skills in one of the two main specialist areas of social work practice: working with children and families, or working with adults in need.

A theory and practice module looks at methods of intervention and theories applied to a particular area of social work, while another assessed practice element enables you to meet the professional requirements for social work training via 100 days of practice under the guidance of a practice educator. 

You are expected to demonstrate competence across a range of standards and this is formally assessed. The learning on the degree builds over the three years and prepares you to apply that knowledge to practice situations.

Module title	Credits
Law and the Organisational Context of Social Work	30 credits
Skills and Methods in Social Work: Specialist Area of Practice	60 credits
Social Work Practice Learning 2	30 credits

Practice placements

You undertake a number of assessed practice placements. You are required to spend 170 days in practice settings.

In Year 1, you are expected to complete two days shadowing an experienced Social Worker as well as a period of voluntary work, both of which you arrange.

In Year 2 there is a practice placement lasting 70 days and in Year 3 the practice placement lasts 100 days. These placements are arranged through the allocation system devised by the College. The practice placements will be supported by 30 days for the development of practice skills.

You have an identified Practice Educator for each of the two practice placements. Most of our placements are located in South East London, so if you live elsewhere you will need to travel.

We have partnership agreements with the following organisations for placements in social work:

• Royal Borough of Greenwich (Children and Families, and Adults)
• London Borough of Southwark (Children and Families, and Adults) 
• London Borough of Lewisham (Children and Families, and Adults)
• London Borough of Brent (Children and Families, and Adults)
• London Borough of Croydon (Adults)
• Tri-Borough: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, City of Westminster and London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (Adults) 
• London Borough of Lambeth (Children and Families) 
• London Borough of Tower Hamlets (Children and Families, and Adults) 
• City of London NSPCC (London Region)

We also work with about 20-30 voluntary/private social care agencies each year. Here are some that we've worked with recently:

• Equinox Care Mental Health Services
• Body and Soul HIV Service
• Jamma Umoja Family Assessment Services
• Advocacy in Greenwich Learning Disability Service
• The Cassel Centre Mental Health Service
• Lewisham Refugee Network
• Turning Point Mental Health Services
• Carers Lewisham
• International Care Assessment Support Services, Jamaica

You will be expected to work the normal working hours of the agency so should be available between the core hours of 8.30am and 6pm, although occasionally you may be required to work evenings. You will be responsible for the cost of your travel to and from your practice placement.

Depending on where you live in London, you may need to travel up to two hours to your practice placement. If you live outside of London, your travel time may be considerably longer.

Professional standards

Social work is a regulated profession. From December 2019, Social Work England (SWE) took on the regulation of social workers and the regulation of the performance of social work programmes.  The SWE Professional standards set out what a social worker in England must know, understand and be able to do. These are the standards social work students are expected to demonstrate at the end of their last placement/qualifying level. Although SWE do not regulate students, the university and SWE expect students to understand and work towards these professional standards in preparation for when they apply for registration. The BA in Social Work programme will support students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the professional standards by the time they complete the course.

Teaching style

This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:

• Year 1 - 16% scheduled learning, 79% independent learning, 6% placement
• Year 2 - 17% scheduled learning, 62% independent learning, 22% placement
• Year 3 - 17% scheduled learning, 54% independent learning, 29% placement

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed through a combination of presentations, role play, written reflection, portfolio, practice placements, practice placement portfolios, examinations and extended essays. 

The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:

• Year 1 - 66% coursework, 25% written exam, 9% practical
• Year 2 - 75% coursework, 25% practical
• Year 3 - 75% coursework, 25% practical

*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2022/23. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about how this information is calculated.

Credits and levels of learning

An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project.

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

We accept the following qualifications:

A-level: CCC
BTEC: DDM
International Baccalaureate: 27 points overall with Three HL subjects at 555
Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 27 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
Scottish qualifications: CCCCC (Higher) or CCD (Advanced Higher)
European Baccalaureate: 75%
Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3 H3

Additional requirements

You must also have:

• Grade C/Grade 4 or above in GCSE English or certificated equivalent. Please view our list of accepted UK GCSE equivalencies. 
• A minimum of three months full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant work experience: one month of experience when you are applying, and a further two months by the time you start the degree. Please make sure you read our work experience guide for more information about the experience that we accept. 
• The ability to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English.  
• Meet the Fitness to train requirements.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Alternative qualifications

See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

We welcome students with a range of educational experiences. If you believe you may not meet the standard qualification requirements we would still encourage you to apply because we consider all aspects of your application when making a decision.

We’ll pay particularly careful attention to your personal statement, which is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the subject you’ve applied for. Your referees are also welcome to include any relevant contextual comments around your academic achievements. We’ll look at all these things when making a decision on your application, as well as your qualifications and grades.

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

From August 2021 EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for 'Home' fee status. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be classified as 'International' for fee purposes, more information can be found on our fees page.

• Home - full-time: £9250
• International - full-time: £19640

If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

All students are eligible for a fixed contribution towards practice learning opportunity related expenses. 

NHS bursaries for second and third year students

There are a limited number of NHS social work bursaries available for students in their second and third year of the course. These are available to 'home' students. Goldsmiths will nominate students for bursaries on the basis of their selection score and the inclusion criteria set out by government guidance. This happens at the end of the first year of study.

If you are nominated by Goldsmiths you must apply to the NHS Business Services Authority to ascertain whether you meet their eligibility criteria. The bursary includes a basic grant and tuition fees if you are not subject to variable fees. 

Funding through stakeholder agencies

In addition, some of our stakeholder agencies advertise bursaries for students who are going into the third year of a BA and intend to work with children and their families upon qualifying.

The exact terms of bursaries differ between local authorities.

They usually offer funding for one year and a statutory placement in that local authority. In return, the student must take up employment with that local authority when he or she qualifies and stay with the local authority for a specified length of time (usually one or two years).

Recently bursaries have been offered by, for example, London Borough of Southwark. They are open to competition and usually require a written application by the student, a reference from the student's tutor, and an interview. When these bursary opportunities become available we circulate details to our Social Work students.

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our careers service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.

Skills

The programmes here at Goldsmiths are both practice-focused and critical and aim to equip you for the challenges of contemporary social work practice.

Key skills you will acquire during your studies include:

• communicating with a range of service users, carers and professionals
• assessing need, risk and strengths
• producing high quality reports
• planning, co-ordinating and evaluating services
• partnership and multi disciplinary working

Careers and employability

Our students have been successful in a range of areas, from postgraduate research to employment in local authority children’s services departments, adult services departments, independent sector and voluntary sector agencies such as the NSPCC, Family Action and Mind.

Graduates from July 2013 have been very successful in securing statutory social work posts, with many securing a statutory social work post before graduating from the BA in Social Work course. Here are some examples of the social work posts they have been offered and accepted:

• Looked After Children's Team
• Royal Borough of Greenwich Children In Need Team
• Surrey County Council Referral and Assessment Team
• London Borough of Southwark Safeguarding and Support Team
• London Borough of Haringey Family Social Work Service
• London Borough of Lewisham Community Mental Health Team
• Surrey County Council Referral and Assessment Team
• London Borough of Lambeth Direct Payments Team
• London Borough of Lewisham Adults Social Worker
• London Borough of Bexley Disabled Adults Team
• London Borough of Croydon Reablement Service
• London Borough of Southwark

You can learn more about the career options open to you after graduating on our Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies careers pages. Find out more about general employability at Goldsmiths. 

When to apply

This is a popular programme, so we encourage you to apply early, in the autumn/winter of the year before you wish to study. We do not accept deferred entry. 

You may not hear from us regarding the progress of your application for several weeks. Applications received after the UCAS deadline of 26 January may not be considered. 

Tips for your application 

In your application you'll need to tell us about your academic qualifications and your work experience. 

It is vitally important that you enter full details of your social work-related work experience (both paid and voluntary) in the 'Employment' section of the UCAS form. Please include the name of the organisation you worked for, the exact length of your experience, and how many hours per week you worked (eg 'March 2014 to Oct 2015, three hours each week').

You should then expand on this experience in the personal statement section of the form. Please explain clearly: 

• What role you held
• How long you held the position for
• What time commitment was involved 
• Who the service user group was
• The name of the organisation you were working for 

For example: 'Volunteer Advocate, April 2012 to September 2014, three hours per week, X advocacy service for disabled people'.

If you don't provide this information your application won't be considered.

It's also important that you explain what you've learned from your work experience, and how this has contributed to your understanding of social work roles and tasks. You should also reflect on what you've learned about yourself and the service user group(s) that you have worked with. Please make sure your personal statement is well written and demonstrates your academic ability.

Please make sure you read our work experience guide for more information about the experience that we accept. 

Selection process

If you meet the entry requirements you'll be invited to a selection day where you'll complete a written test, an individual interview, and a group discussion.

There are six stages to the selection of students: 

1. When your application is received at the Goldsmiths Admissions Office, we will check that you meet the minimum entry requirements and have provided all the required information, including a reference(s). You are also required to provide scanned copies of your qualifications (alongside official translations where original documents are not in English) within 14 days of being requested. If you have not met the entry requirements your application will be rejected at this stage. If you have not provided all the required information your application may also be rejected.
2. The second stage is a written test at Goldsmiths. The written test is based on a text on a social work-related topic or area of practice. You will be required to reflect on a text in relation to social work. The purpose of the written test is to provide evidence of: your ability to communicate clearly in written English; your commitment to core social work values and your capacity for critical reflection. Your test paper is then assessed and on the basis of this assessment we will decide whether to invite you to progress to the next stage of the assessment process.
3. The third stage involves a role play, an individual interview and a group discussion.
   You will be informed when you arrive at Goldsmiths for your interview as to what is required from you for the role play.  The individual interview will consist of a reflective critical discussion on your role play performance.  The individual interview is usually led by a panel which may include a member of the social work teaching team, a social work practitioner from one of our stakeholder agencies, and/or a service user from our Service User and Carer Steering Group. The interview will cover a number of areas (your understanding of the social work role, your interpersonal skills and your ability to reflect on your experience, values and motivation for a career in social work) and each of your answers will be rated or scored. The interview will last about 20 minutes.
   For the group exercise you will be given a question on a topic that is relevant to social work and will be asked to discuss this for 20 minutes in a group. The aim of this is to assess your spoken English, your ability to express your own views and to respond appropriately to the expressed views of others, as well as your awareness of your values.
   
   Where applicants live outside the UK and are unable to attend for selection in person, it may be possible to conduct written tests via the internet and an interview and role play via Skype.
   Following this a decision whether to offer you a place on the course will be made based on your total score from the written test, the role play, individual interview and the group discussion. You will receive a letter from the Admissions Office advising you of the outcome of the interview. If an offer is made the letter will state whether this is a conditional or unconditional offer e.g. conditional on exam results. Please note that there may be a delay before you receive this letter. We are not able to tell you our decision either at the interview or afterwards over the telephone.
   As part of the selection process you will be required to complete of a self-declaration form regarding suitability for practice which encompasses offending, health and work disciplinary history.
   
   
   After this happens there are a further three main stages:
   
   
4. It is a requirement of entry onto the course that students possess an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Therefore, any offer of a place will be conditional on a satisfactory DBS enhanced disclosure, which students are required to pay for (see prices).
5. It is a requirement of entry onto the course that students possess a satisfactory medical check. Therefore, any offer of a place will be conditional on demonstrating that you are physically and mentally fit to train as a social worker. You will therefore have to complete a health declaration form.
6. You will need to demonstrate that you have satisfied any conditions of your offer eg. by providing Admissions with your exam certificate(s), transcript and any other written information Admissions may request. If you have not demonstrated that you have satisfied the condition(s) of your offer by 1 September, your offer of a place on the course may be withdrawn. 

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure

Certain types of criminal convictions and cautions may have implications for entry to study Social Work as well as practice placements and subsequent employment. Applicants will be invited to disclose any charges pending, any convictions and cautions and to complete a Declaration of Suitability for Social Work form. If you disclose a criminal record at interview, we will need to consult our stakeholder group on whether you are suitable to join the course. This process is likely to delay our decision on whether to offer you a place on the course by several weeks.