Social Work
Social work is a profession and academic discipline concerned with supporting individuals, families, and communities to address the challenges that arise from poverty, inequality, illness, disability, trauma, and social exclusion. Social workers operate across a wide range of settings, including children's social care, adult services, mental health, substance misuse, and community development, working to safeguard vulnerable people, promote their rights and wellbeing, and help them access the support they need. The profession requires both deep knowledge of social policy, psychology, and law and the practical interpersonal skills to build trusting relationships with people in difficult circumstances.
At the University of the West of England, Bristol, this part-time BSc programme enables you to qualify as a social worker while also developing the understanding and skills to support society's most vulnerable people effectively. You will study child development and safeguarding, adult care law, social policy and inequality, mental health, anti-discriminatory practice, and the ethical frameworks that guide professional social work practice. The part-time structure gives you flexibility to balance your studies with other commitments, and practice placements are integrated throughout, giving you the direct experience in real social work settings that professional qualification requires.
On completing the degree and registering with Social Work England, you will be eligible to practise as a qualified social worker across a range of employers including local authorities, NHS trusts, voluntary sector organisations, and schools.
Career pathways include children and families social work, adult social care, mental health social work, community development, and management and leadership roles within social care. The skills and knowledge social work develops are also relevant to policy, advocacy, and voluntary sector roles. Postgraduate study in social work or related fields is available for those who wish to specialise or pursue research.