This distance learning social work course has been established for over twenty years and provides professional training to students all over the UK and Ireland.

You will benefit from the vast array of specialist teaching available from a large academic staff, with all personal tutors being professionally qualified Social Workers.

This course is predominantly taught through the University's virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, where you will be able to interact with tutors and fellow students from around the country.

Students are required to attend 2 teaching blocks per year of study at the University, each lasting 1 week.

University Workbooks and Core Text will be provided for each assessed Module.

STAGE 2

Semester 1

• Sociology and Psychology
• Human Growth and Behaviour

Semester 2

• Law and Legal Systems
• Social Work Policy, Practice and Methods 1

Semester 3

• Practice Learning 1/Contexts
• Personal and Professional Development 1
• Practice Analysis 1

STAGE 3

Semester 1

• Disability and Mental Health
• Social Work with Older People
• Social Work Policy, Practice and Methods 2

Semester 2

• Practice Learning 2/Contexts
• Risk Analysis
• Personal and Professional Development 2
• Practice Analysis 2

STAGE 4

Semester 1

• Social Work in Child Care and Protection
• Social Work with People with Substance Problems
• Research Methods
• Social Work in Criminal Justice

Semester 2

• Professional Development Plan
• Dissertation and Research Studies

Students are required to attend 2 teaching blocks per year of study at the University, each lasting 1 week. These teaching blocks provide a variety of important functions including:

• Important introductions to forthcoming modules of study
• Opportunities for students to meet to share ideas and learning
• Dissemination of current theoretical concepts and policy
• In addition to on line discussion groups, email and telephone contact with personal tutors, students benefit from monthly group and/or individual tutorials, where appropriate, in their local area led by their personal tutor

You must be employed in a Social Care setting for a minimum of 17.5 hours per week for the duration of the period of study. You must be able to satisfy the SSSC entry requirements for competence in Numeracy and IT skills. If you are unable to do this, you will be required to undertake a test to assess your competence in these areas.

The course starts at stage 2 of a Scottish Honours Degree (SCQF 8); therefore you must already have certificated learning at Stage 1 (SCQF 7). This would commonly be an HNC or equivalent totalling 120 academic points.

Stage 2 entry: requires 120 academic points and a minimum of 1 year's relevant experience.

Stage 3 entry: requires 240 academic points and successful completion of an assessed portfolio.

Stage 4 entry: requires 360 academic points. You will be a professionally qualified social worker who has either the CQSW, CSS or the Dip. SW and have completed further Certificated Learning in, for example, Practice teaching, MHO or Child Protection, PQ1 or perhaps the registered Managers Award. If you are only completing Stage 4 you are not required to attend teaching blocks at the University, although full tutorial support is still provided.

Stage 2 entrants complete 2 placements, one of 60 days starting in the January of the second year of study, and one of 100 days starting in the January of the third year of study. Possibilities currently exist for students to apply to undertake their first placement in another European country.

Stage 3 entrants complete one assessed placement of 100 days, starting in the January after starting the course.

Stage 4 entrants - there is no placement requirement.

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

The application process opens in August/September each year.   Applications are not accepted prior to this date.

For further information and to be reminded of the application process start date, please contact Elaine Webster (Course Secretary). at e.webster@rgu.ac.uk or tel. 01224 263234.