Social Work

Social work is a profession dedicated to supporting individuals, families and communities to overcome difficulties and improve their quality of life. Social workers engage with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society, including children at risk, people with mental health difficulties, older adults, those with disabilities and individuals caught up in poverty, addiction or domestic abuse. The profession requires both a thorough understanding of the social contexts that create disadvantage and the practical skills to intervene, support and empower people to make positive changes in their lives.

At the University of Winchester, this three-year programme is designed to ensure you understand the impact of the wider social context in which people live. You will develop the knowledge and skills to challenge inequality and to intervene, support and empower individuals and communities, grounded in a curriculum that engages with law, social policy, psychology, sociology and ethics alongside professional practice. Substantial practice placement hours are central to the degree, placing you in a range of statutory and voluntary sector social work settings where you develop your professional skills under supervision.

Winchester's commitment to values-based education means the programme takes the ethical and political dimensions of social work practice seriously.

Graduates from an approved social work degree are eligible to register with Social Work England and can practise as qualified social workers in local authorities, NHS trusts, children's services, mental health services, adult social care, voluntary organisations and the criminal justice system. The demand for qualified social workers across the UK is consistent and significant, and career progression into specialist practice, management, academic roles and policy is well supported. Many social workers go on to postgraduate study in areas such as advanced social work practice, social policy or counselling.