Social Work

Social work is a rewarding but challenging career, allowing you to work with people from all backgrounds, and covering everyone from children to older adults. It's all about supporting those individuals in society who need help underpinned by a commitment to social justice.

What does being a social worker in the 21st century involve? A recent report called for social work professionals to become more autonomous and critically reflective - these elements are at the heart of this programme.

The BA (Hons) Social Work course offers a research-informed, challenging and comprehensive curriculum that enables students to develop as critically aware and effective social workers across all areas of practice. We use a wide range of innovative teaching methods that allow students to build the requisite knowledge, skills and values for social work; this includes extensive contributions to teaching and learning from our partners in the local authority, voluntary and third sector agencies.

We also place particular emphasis on hearing directly from people who use social work services and have an active services user and carer network. These approaches ensure that our programme remains current, relevant and intellectually stimulating, which is reflected in the excellent evaluations and satisfaction ratings received year on year from final year students.

We are looking for candidates who have the values, motivation, personal qualities and commitment to meet the demands of the profession. Candidates must have experience in social care/social work, for example, voluntary work such as befriending or paid employment.

This course allows you to qualify as a social worker, eligible for professional registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and other UK Care Councils.

Your career

To date, graduates have found employment with local authorities in areas such as children and families teams, criminal justice, mental health and community care as well as the voluntary and third sectors.