BSc (Hons)
Social Work Practice

Key Information


Campus

Brayford Pool

Typical Offer

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Duration

3 years

UCAS Code

L501

Academic Year

Course Overview

This full-time, 3-year BSc Social Work Practice offers students a flexible route to qualification as a social worker and will be delivered via a blended learning method of face-to-face and online teaching.

The first year of study is largely preparatory and no practice placements are undertaken. As the course progresses, complex concepts will be explored alongside developing skills in critical reflection and analysis.

Placements will commence during your second year of study with a 70-day placement, enhanced by a 100-day placement in the final year. Both placements are full-time and will require full-time attendance. The regulating body for social workers, Social Work England, require one of the placements to be undertaken in a statutory setting. Please note, students are responsible for covering the cost of placement including transport, accommodation, and general living expenses.

During both placements, students will be supervised by a Practice Educator who is a qualified social worker and responsible for assessment of the student whilst on placement. Please note that students are required to pass both placements in order to successfully qualify as a social worker.

Why Choose Lincoln

Subject area ranked in the top 10 for academic support in the UK*

Offers a flexible route to qualification as a social worker

Gain practical experience with placements

Hear from guest speakers including practitioners and carers

Blended learning with face-to-face and online study

*National Student Survey 2024 (out of 78 ranking institutions)

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How You Study

You'll be able to put theory into practice as all academic teaching is geared towards students' understanding, knowledge, and confidence in practice.

You'll benefit from a blended learning approaching on this course, with most of the teaching delivered virtually, and including groupwork and interactive working. There may also be opportunities for some face-to-face learning during practice-based skills teaching in year one and practice placement days in years two and three.

How you are assessed

Assessment methods are utilised to establish and identify the skills that you will need in practice. You'll be assessed in a variety of ways including written essays, presentations, and a small number of exams.

Modules


† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Knowledge and Theories for Social Work (SWP) 2025-26SOW1526Level 42025-26This module is intended to support students in developing an understanding of what we know about people and society. The module objective is to develop understanding of this knowledge base, with a focus on structural and social perspectives and how these can be applied to work with vulnerable people. This module aims to provide learners with a framework of theoretical and applied perspectives for effective social work with individuals, taking account of contemporary social and societal issues. It will draw on relevant disciplines and perspectives to help learners understand how society is organised and how social problems arise.CoreBeing Ready for Social Work Practice (SWP) 2025-26SOW1050Level 42025-26This module allows students to undertake learning that will help them develop the required skills for professional practice and are sufficiently prepared and ready for their professional practice on placement. Students are required to undertake learning activities and study commensurate with entry level requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework.CoreProfessional Social Work Practice (SWP) 2025-26SOW1527Level 42025-26This module is intended to support the student in developing the knowledge, skills, and values that will underpin social work practice. The focus is on extending the understanding of the professional social work role and task, with a focus on the perspective of service users, carers, and citizens. There will be a focus on the development of skills and values for professional social work practice and on personal reflection to support this.CoreUsing Knowledge in Practice (SWP) 2025-26SOW1528Level 42025-26This module enable learners to explore the knowledge base (e.g. theoretical knowledge, legislative knowledge, knowledge around core social work values, and ethics) that underpins their own professional practice and supports learners to reflect on and analyse their own practice.CoreConfirmation of Readiness for Practice (includes Skills Days) (SWP) 2025-26SOW1529Level 42025-26This module does not apply to standard learners obtaining entry at level four. The module is suitable only for students undertaking the APL route for accelerated entry to level five of the programme. Students wishing to APL previous study will be required to undertake supplementary learning to ensure they develop the required skills and knowledge enabling them to progress to level five of the programme and will be offered supplementary teaching and learning on a bespoke, case-by-case basis according to individual previous attainment and assessed learning needs.OptionalSocial Work with Adults (SWP) 2026-27SOW2525Level 52026-27This module aims to support the development of social work students to gain professional expertise in working with adults and their carers, who are in need of social care interventions. In order to achieve this, there will be a focus on understanding, analysing and applying relevant law and policy. There will also be an opportunity to explore the diverse needs of the adult population including older people, those with physical and learning disabilities, mental health and addiction problems, brain injuries, homelessness, hoarding behaviours, self-neglect and the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees.CoreAssessed Social Work Practice Placement, Practice Portfolio 1 (SWP) 2026-27SOW2523Level 52026-27This module allows students to undertake 70 days in an audited and approved practice learning setting. The practice placement will provide a range of learning opportunities that are approved as meeting the BASW Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) End of First Placement Level Capabilities and the Social Work England Professional Standards. Students will be required to produce a practice portfolio as evidence of their experiential learning and professional development.CorePractice Analysis (SWP) 2026-27SOW2524Level 52026-27This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a practice analysis of their work on placement and demonstrate their accountability and explain the rationale underpinning professional decision-making. Students are required to demonstrate an analysis of, and their responses to, the diverse needs of service users and carers and the impact of environmental and structural influences. It also requires students to evidence a keen understanding of the legal and policy frameworks that guide professional judgements.CoreSocial Work with Children and Families (SWP) 2026-27SOW2526Level 52026-27The module adopts a holistic approach to the wellbeing and development of children and young people. The module will examine the psycho-social development of children pre-birth through childhood and adolescence. Students will have the opportunity to combine knowledge, practice skills, and professional values and ethics and will examine a range of factors necessary to safeguard, protect and promote the healthy development and overall wellbeing of children and young people.CoreAssessed Social Work Practice Placement Two, Practice Portfolio Two (SWP) 2027-28SOW3524Level 62027-28This module will offer students the opportunity to draw on learning from level five modules as well as their learning during years one and two. With support, students are expected to provide evidence of their understanding and application of increasingly complex concepts in their their direct practice with service users, as well as evidencing their ability to undertake self-directed learning, reflection regarding theoretical approaches and models, and application of legislation and statutory guidance appropriate to their practice learning setting.CoreBeing a Professional Social Worker (SWP) 2027-28SOW3525Level 62027-28This module serves to enable the student to consolidate and further develop and apply detailed and evidence informed knowledge about the needs, experiences and circumstances individuals, groups and families that receive social work services.CoreEvidence and Improvement in Social Work(SWP) 2027-28SOW3526Level 62027-28This module is intended to provide students with the opportunity to explore a variety of knowledge, including sources of evidence and research findings suitable for supporting social work practice. Students will be required to identify a current social work topic in order to extend their knowledge and apply it to the development of practice. Students will be able to increase their knowledge through undertaking an independent literature-based study in which they identify, explore and appraise the evidence base relating to their selected topic, including up-to-date research findings.CoreInterprofessional Practice Analysis (SWP) 2027-28SOW3527Level 62027-28This module will relate to the work undertaken on practice placement. Students will be required to complete an inter-professional practice analysis, adopting a holistic, systems-based approach to contemporary social work within the context of inter-professional practice. Students are required to explore how to maintain professional integrity and combining knowledge, practice skills and professional values and ethics to promote effective social work practice within interprofessional settings.Core

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.

Placements

Placements will be offered by a number of our employer partners, including Lincolnshire County Council Children’s Service, Lincolnshire County Council Adult's Service, Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust, North East Lincolnshire Council, and North Lincolnshire Council. We encourage applications from students who hold a UK driving licence as Lincolnshire spans a wide geographical area. Non-driving students may be subject to fewer placement opportunities. Please also note that you may be required to travel to up to an hour’s travelling time of their home address.

Research

The School has a solid research profile led by our research professors and the University's Research Excellence Framework submission return demonstrated high-quality research spanning a number of areas - particularly around social work and social policy. Our research interests cover all aspects of the sector and Professor Mo Ray’s research has focused on social work with older people, social gerontology, and health and social care.

Guest Speakers

To enhance your learning, you may be able to hear from guest speakers, including those with lived experience of using services and carers, social work practitioners, and guest academics.

What Can I Do with a Social Work Degree?

Graduates will be well-placed to gain employment as registered social workers in the public, private, or voluntary sectors. The University of Lincoln is a member of the Humber Social Work Teaching Partnership, meaning students will be able to make the most of this partnership in their future careers.

 

Entry Requirements 2025-26

United Kingdom

104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications.

BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit.

T Level: Merit.

Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points.

International Baccalaureate: 28 points overall.

GCSE's: Minimum of three at grades 4 or above, which must include English and Maths. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.


The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.

We may consider work experience alongside academic qualifications and will review this on and individual basis.

Certificates of all previous qualifications will need to be provided before any offers are confirmed.

Additional requirements:

- This course is not open for overseas applicants.
- In order to be eligible to apply, applicants born outside of the UK must have settled residential status.

- Successful performance at an interview
- Knowledge of contemporary health and social care issues, and the nature of nursing in a public health context.
- Understanding of written material and can communicate clearly and accurately in written and spoken English.
- Satisfactory completion of Occupational Health Check
- Satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (formerly the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)).

When you choose Social Work Practice in your UCAS application, you will be asked an additional question regarding criminal convictions. Here you must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBOs or VOOs.

Further information can be found at http://www.isa-gov.org.uk.

We are not accepting deferred applications for Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Diagnostic Radiography or Social Work. You must apply in the year you wish to start the programme.

International

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Non UK Qualifications:

- If you are now settled in the UK, and do not have GCSE English, you will require English Language IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each element: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/englishrequirements

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

https://www.lincoln.ac....irementsandyourcountry/

For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

https://www.lincoln.ac....shlanguagerequirements/

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If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.

Contextual Offers

At Lincoln, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages. If you are applying to a course that has any subject specific requirements, these will still need to be achieved as part of the standard entry criteria.

Fees and Scholarships

Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.

Course Fees

For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.

Course -Specific Funding and Bursaries

NHS social work bursaries may be available to applicants, depending on varying criteria. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/social-work-bursaries

Find out More by Visiting Us

The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.

Three students walking together on campus in the sunshine
The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.