Social Work BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Social Workers work with some of the most vulnerable people in society at times of heightened stress. By the end of the BA Social Work degree, you will have been assessed against the Professional Capabilities Framework and Social Work England (SWE) Professional Standards and will be able to apply to Social Work England for registration.

  Competent practice is essential for the award and you will undertake 200 days of practice learning (placement and skills for practice) during the programme. Practice learning through placement experience is undertaken in blocks throughout the course. You will complete 30 days of experiential skills for practice at level four (in the University); 70 days (in placement) at level five and 100 days (in placement) at level six.

  Throughout this BA social work degree, the value base of social work is emphasised, and you will engage in teaching designed to support your learning and understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in a model that promotes social justice. In the first year, you will attend a practice knowledge development week where you will meet and hear from a variety of organisations, learn about the many different settings in which social work takes place and gain a better understanding of the placements you will undertake in years two and three of the programme.

  List of modules:

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1

    You will be introduced to the knowledge and skills required for best social work practice which will continue to be developed throughout the duration of the social work degree. The Skills for Practice module is designed to develop your skills and understanding of social work through teaching and learning that takes place in the University and is delivered by a range of qualified social work academics, service users and social work practitioners.

    • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
      Module code: FHS_IPE20

      Status: Compulsory
    • Understanding Law and Policy in Social Work (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK1067

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for Social Work students to understand and be able to apply legislation and social policy appropriately when working with adults, children and families. The module introduces students to contemporary legislation, social policy, guidance and codes of practice relevant to current professional Social Work interventions.
    • Introduction to Social Work (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK1098

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce key concepts, principles and frameworks of Social Work to provide students with a broad perspective of professional practice. The module incorporates the requirements for practice skills set out by the relevant regulatory bodies.
    • Readiness for Social Work Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK1099

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to prepare students for their 70-day practice placement. It focuses on a range of core skills and knowledge, including reflective practice, professional curiosity, self-awareness, emotional intelligence and personal resilience. The module incorporates the requirements for practice skills set out by the relevant regulatory bodies.
    • Decision Making and Professional Judgement in Social Work (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK1100

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the application of critical thinking around common Social Work practice situations and making defensible judgements in an interprofessional context.
    • Sociology and Psychology in Social Work Contexts (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK1101

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with a broad understanding of the relevance of sociological and psychological theories and approaches in understanding human behaviour within contemporary professional practice. It offers students the opportunity to consider human and growth development and behaviour, individually and socially.
    • Understanding Contemporary Social Concepts (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK1102

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students understanding of contemporary social issues and their relevance to social work practice. It focuses on developing an initial understanding of social issues, social policy,relevant theory and interventions.
  • Stage 2

    You will develop your understanding of different service user groups and service provision in social work settings. You will be provided with opportunities to work in small learning sets developing your reflective critical thinking skills, and develop your understanding of oppression, discrimination and inequality of gender. A 70-day assessed placement learning opportunity will be completed in a social work setting or other appropriate area of practice.

    • Research for Social Workers (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK2010

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop research mindedness for social work practice and enable learners to interrogate the utility of different types of empirical evidence, both for developing practice prepareness and evaluating the outcomes of social work interventions.
    • 70 Day Practice Placement (40 Credits)
      Module code: SWK2011P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to give students the opportunity to work under supervision in a professional practice setting. Students will be supported to extend and develop learning and practical skills developed at level 4 with specific reference to SWK1084 and SWK1085. Students will also draw upon academic learning at Levels 4 and 5 to apply theoretical perspectives, application of legsialtion, anti-oppressive practice and promrote social justice to practice.
    • Assessing and Managing Risk in Social Work (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK2070

      Status: Compulsory
      This module aims to develop students understanding of the theory and application of assessing and managing risk in the arena of safeguarding.It will offer the students the opportunity to explore principles of social work practice within a multi agency context, service provision/delivery as well as the outcomes for service users. It develops learning on social work values, the nature of power and anti-oppressive practice and the context of discrimination and Human Rights Law. Students are encouraged to explore and draw on their own attitudes and values and apply this to complex cases. Students will be encouraged to explore the role of an individuals identity to include gender, race, sex, sexuality etc when assessing and managing risk. Social Justice, human rights and problem solving are at the heart of this module.
    • Social Work with Individuals, Groups and Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK2085

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to prepare students for direct work with individuals, groups and families developing an understanding of statutory responsibilities, effective work outcomes and application of assessment tools. The module will also explore the diverse range of contexts in which Social Workers are employed and the implications of multidisciplinary working with other professionals, service users, carers and families. The module also offers opportunities for individual development through group work sessions focusing upon professional interventions.
    • Social Justice, Power and Professional Judgement in an Inter-professional Context (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK2086

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding about Social Work Practice in the field of mental health, disability, working with refugees, asylum seekers and substance misuse issues. Students will develop a broader understanding of social justice with regard to poverty, dislocation, inclusion and equality.
  • Stage 3

    You will undertake a 100-day assessed placement learning opportunity in a social work setting or other appropriate areas of practice. The teaching and learning at this stage of the course will focus on helping you to understand the importance of managing the professional task of social work. There will be opportunities to explore how services are provided with an emphasis on understanding risk and uncertainty in the assessment process.

    • 100 Day Practice Placement (60 Credits)
      Module code: SWK3005P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to give students the opportunity to work under supervision for a sustained period in a professional practice setting. Students will be supported to extend and develop learning and practical skills, developing autonomy, applying critical understanding, evaluation and reflection to professional social work.
    • Professional Identity and Transition into Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: SWK3042

      Status: Compulsory
      This module engages students in advanced level learning in respect of service users with complex needs, advanced skills for practice and skills for managing stress and difficult situations. It builds on skill development at Levels 4 and 5 and supports the extended 100-day practice placement, at the end of which students must demonstrate the attributes of a newly qualified worker.
    • Dissertation (40 Credits)
      Module code: SWK4007

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to study and interrogate one aspect of social work practice in depth. The dissertation is an opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of a particular area of social work and to contribute to the knowledge base for social work practice. The module builds on all previous learning but in particular links to Research for Social Work at level 5. The dissertation is literature review based.From 26/27:This module enables students to develop as independent researchers, focusing on an aspect of social work practice, through the development of a research question and literature review. It promotes the acquisition of knowledge and research mindedness which is an essential aspect of social work practice.

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• Partnership

  The University of Northampton is central to the Northamptonshire Social Work Teaching Partnership. This Department of Education led initiative ensures that there is a close working relationship between the University of Northampton, as education providers of qualifying Social Work programmes (BA (Hons) Social Work and MA Social Work) and the statutory services of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and Northamptonshire Adult Social Services, who provide services for a wide range of identified need in the county.

  This also means that as a University, we work closely with our partners to develop the undergraduate Social Work degree curriculum to ensure it is current, innovative and reflective of practice, identify practice placement opportunities within statutory settings (Children, Mental Health, Adult Services) and prepare  graduates for employment.

  The Teaching Partnership will additionally progress partnership working between a range of programmes at The University of Northampton that offer training and education in  Health and Social Care, Youth Work and a range of statutory and non-statutory service providers.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join this full-time degree in social work at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your BA Social Work course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• FAQs

  What will I be taught on the social work degree?

  BA Social Work prepares you for professional social work practice by developing your practice skills and your skills and knowledge in working with other professions. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to develop a range of  communication skills through experiential teaching and learning facilitated by Service Users and Social Work Practitioners in readiness for direct practice. The course raises your political awareness and encourages you to be creative, critical and reflective thinkers.

  The Social Work subject team are committed to the International Federation of Social Workers definition of social work and the curriculum is informed by it.

  How will I learn on BA Social Work?

  Our social work degree promotes an approach to learning that actively engages you with key issues and themes in Social Work practice. Teaching methods that are used on this course include group work, role play, individual skills development, enquiry-based learning, seminars and lectures.

  You will be able to incorporate your academic learning to two supervised and assessed placement learning opportunities. Over the three years you will experience a range of social work services and work with service users.

  How will I be assessed on the degree in social work?

  Assessment of learning during the course takes many forms and covers both theory and practice. Each module is assessed against the learning outcomes for the module. The format of the assessments includes essays, posters, reports, presentation, and workbooks of evidence.

  There is only one exam in the course, a law exam in the first year. Second and third-year placements are assessed through portfolios. In your third year you will complete a dissertation.

  How will I be supported to develop my academic skills on the course?

  Throughout your programme of study you will have access to the Social Work Online Workbook. This workbook is designed to support you to:

  • improve your academic study skills;
  • develop your academic confidence;
  • gain a greater understanding of what is expected of you as you study for your degree;
  • learn more about how to learn, and develop greater autonomy as a learner.

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