Social Work BA (Hons)

Sheffield Hallam University

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary

• Study the theories, methods and values that inform social work.
• Develop your skills to prepare you for a rewarding career.
• Apply your learning and experience in practice placements.
• Benefit from supervised practical work in a range of social work settings.

On this course you will learn how to work with children, families and vulnerable adults who experience problems in their lives, or whose actions cause problems for others. You will be learning at university, on practice placements and through skills days. We will make sure your learning is up to date and informed by current research evidence.

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Our staff are qualified and experienced social workers. We also invite practitioners, service users and other professionals to discuss issues that are relevant to the profession. You will have a personal tutor to assist with your learning and academic progress – and you will learn with, from and about students studying on other courses.

This intellectually rewarding course allows you to engage with the world beyond the university. You will apply research-based knowledge to make a positive impact on the real world of social care – including service users, future employers and other health and social care practitioners.

You learn through

• work placements
• role play
• real-life case studies
• simulated practice scenarios
• written assignments
• individual and group presentations
• exams

There are also currently opportunities to study and work abroad – with the possibility of funding.

Applied learning

Work placements

You will apply the theory you study to practice-based learning experiences. Here you will develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice – preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional. The experiences you are provided with are compulsory to achieve the course’s practice-based learning outcomes.

These experiences will help you build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity, and curiosity. They will take place in different practice-based learning environments – reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered. This might include simulated learning and virtual placements, alongside real-world experience of services delivered face to face to service users.

We ensure the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) which governs the social work profession. So by the end of your course, you have the opportunity to show that you meet the requirements to register as a qualified social worker.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a child and adult social work career in

• local authorities
• independent and third sector organisations
• national and local voluntary organisations

Equipment and facilities

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.