Course Overview
You will share cutting-edge knowledge and your degree will provide you with up-to-date information on professional development and a critical approach to understanding Social Work in contemporary society.
This degree requires a high level of vocational commitment, so you should be prepared to undertake two practice placements. These are an excellent way of getting to know the role of a social worker and give hands-on experience to back up classroom learning. This ensures that, when you graduate, you are prepared for work in the rapidly changing environments of social care.
The first year will give you an introduction to the nature, origins and values of social work, and the agencies and policy contexts in which it is practised. It introduces methods of working with individuals, families, groups and communities and anti-discriminatory Social Work practice. Courses include: Disability in Society; Preparation for Practice; Social Divisions and Diversity; Social Work and Mental Health; Social Work with Children and Families and The Contested Nature of Social Work.
Currently, undergraduates go on a placement from the beginning of the August preceding their second year through to the middle of December. This is followed by second-year courses that include: Social Work and Drug Use; The Reflexive Practitioner; a second Preparation for Practice course, and a second Social Work with Children and Families course.
Your third-year courses include Care and the Life Course and Social Work with Young People. In addition, all Social Work students write a dissertation. Your final practice placement currently runs from January to May of your final year.
Lancaster was the perfect preparation for my future career success.
Career opportunities
Many Social Work graduates go on to work as professional social workers in social services departments and specialist agencies. A large number of Lancaster graduates now hold senior managerial posts or are actively involved in training, consultancy and research.
Graduating in Social Work enables you to register as a professional social worker, but the skills, values and knowledge gained are highly valued in other careers that involve training, consultancy and research.
The Social Work degree also provides a solid foundation for postgraduate study.
Modules
Here are some of the current modules which are available during your studies at Lancaster:
PartI
- Disability in Society
- Preparation for Practice I
- Social Divisions and Social Diversity 1
- Social Divisions and Social Diversity 2
- Social Work Seminar
- Social Work and Mental Health
- Social Work with Children and Families I
- The Contested Nature of Social Work
PartII (Year 2)
- Placement 1
- Preparation for Practice II
- Social Work and Drug Use
- Social Work with Children and Families 2
- The Reflexive Practitioner
PartII (Year 3)
- Care and the Life Course
- Dissertation
- Placement 2
- Social Work and Young People
For more detailed module information please visit the Applied Social Science department website.
Entry Requirements
A-level: ABB
General Studies: Accepted as one of the best 3 grades, if 4 A-levels presented
Preference: None
Key skills: Level 2 in Application of Numbers and Communication, or equivalent (this may be embedded in other qualifications).
Scottish Highers: BBBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 33 pts overall with 15 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: Overall grades DDM
HNC/HND: Pass
IELTS: Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
Applicants for the Social Work course must have experience of voluntary or paid work in a social service or welfare setting. Shortlisted candidates will normally be interviewed.
For details of how we evaluate international qualifications, please click here.
Financial Support
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. In addition to government maintenance loans, grants and national scholarships, Lancaster University offers a range of financial support for full time UK Undergraduate students from lower-income backgrounds. Many students each year will be entitled to bursaries or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses.
The Lancaster Scholarship package is designed to reward the hard work and natural ability of full-time UK students applying to study with us regardless of their household income. Students achieving A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications) will receive a £1,000 per year Lancaster Scholarship during their undergraduate studies if they place us as their firm choice institution. Continuation of the Lancaster Scholarship is subject to satisfactory academic progression.
Our combined £5,000 bursary package will help students from England whose household incomes are less than £25,000 per year with fees and living costs.
Students from England eligible for our £5,000 bursary package will also be awarded a £3,000 Lancaster Scholarship if they achieve A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications). This totals £8,000 of support for students during their studies.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our
fees and funding page.
