The role of the social worker is vital to the local community and society in general. Working with people of all ages who may be socially excluded, vulnerable or undergoing some level of crisis, your role will be to guide, support and enable the service user to eventually support themselves as much as possible.

This full-time degree will provide you with the underpinning knowledge, values and skills required by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to practise as a qualified social worker. You will be prepared for practice in all areas of social work, including child care, child protection, criminal justice and community care, and in a range of settings, including the community, residential and group care.

This long-established course has an enviable reputation for the high quality of its teaching and support, as well as the high level of employment achieved by its graduates.

Stage 1

• Study and Research Skills
• Individual Psychology and the Lifespan
• Introductory Sociology
• Social Work Values, Roles and Tasks
• Cognitive and Social Psychology
• Sociology of Identity, Difference and Deviance
• An Introduction to Law and Politics in Social Work
• Social Work in Society

Stage 2

• Law and Social Work
• Human Growth and Behaviour
• Social Policy and Social Work Practice
• Social Work Methods
• Social Work Practice 1
• Practice Learning 1/ Contexts
• Disability and Mental Health: A Life Course Approach
• Social Work with Older People
• Social Work with People with Substance Problems
• Group Care/Managing Life Transitions

Stage 3

• Social Work Practice 2
• Practice Learning 2/Contexts
• Personal and Professional Development 1
• Social Work in Child Care/Child Protection
• Research Methods and Social Work Practice
• Social Work in Criminal Justice
• Counselling within Social Work Practice

Stage 4

• Social Work Practice 3
• Practice Learning - Risk Assessment/Risk Management
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Dissertation Study
• Interdisciplinary Practice
• Comparative Health and Social Work OR Management in Social Work Settings OR Therapeutic Practice with Children

The School of Applied Social Studies uses a variety of instructional methods including; small group teaching, seminars, lectures, role-plays, simulations, laboratory experiments, workshops and projects.

Student studies are supported by state-of-the-art facilities at Garthdee including an excellent library, over 2,500 desktop computers and full network facilities incorporating a virtual learning environment, the Virtual Campus.

The school believes that learning should be applied to practice so students are encouraged to become reflective, independent learners, identifying and working towards their own learning objectives.

All students are allocated a named personal tutor within the School of Applied Social Studies. The personal tutor provides students with advice and guidance on academic and non-academic matters. Initially they may need to help new students adjust to University life and later on personal tutors will check whether students are encountering difficulties that are preventing them from obtaining the full benefit of University studies.

How the tutor time is used is guided by the student and facilitated by the tutor. Many tutors will see their students at least twice a semester however this can be more frequent during the first semester of year one to facilitate the transition to university life. Personal tutors are accessible by appointment throughout the semester. In the case of an urgent request every effort is made to provide an appointment the same day.

SQA Higher: BBCC

GCE A Level: CCC

Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: B2B2C1C1

IB Diploma: 26

Advanced Entry: Entry into year 2 will be considered for candidates with appropriate qualifications. If interested in this possibility, please contact the Admissions Tutor to discuss this further.

Interview: You will be required to attend an interview. Applicants who do not have appropriate certificated learning (Standard Grade Maths Credit level or equivalent) will be expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of numeracy at interview.

* All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Placement

A major strength of the course is the practice placement opportunities which are an integral part of study. You will undertake three practice placements:

• 2nd Year - 40 days
• 3rd year - 60 days 
• 4th Year - 80 days

There is also the opportunity to undertake one placement in a European country other than the UK. The rewards from undertaking these placements are enormous, both in terms of initial professional development and in applying theoretical principles to real life situations. Practice is assessed according to the competence requirements of SSSC.

Professional Accreditation

Successful completion of the degree confers eligibility to practice as a Social Worker within the UK, and to register with the Scottish Social Services Council and the other Social Care Councils in the UK.

If you are a Scottish resident or EU national you are not liable to pay fees and should apply to SAAS for funding.

Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website:

• England - http://www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk
• Wales - http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
• Northern Ireland - http://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

Scholarships

• Information on Social Work & Social Sciences Scholarships

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

All applications should be made through UCAS. You must apply online at http://www.ucas.com/apply.

Once you register and create your username and password, you are guided through the process of applying. After submission, log in to your UCAS Track account and you can see the progress of your application, and view and respond to your offers.

For application enquiries email admissions@rgu.ac.uk or phone 01224 262105.

For course enquiries contact Stewart Brodie s.brodie@rgu.ac.uk or phone 01224 263226.

Following successful completion of the course, students find employment across the social work sector. In the past our students have been in great demand through the UK. The international focus of the course also provides employment possibilities in a range of European countries, the USA and Australia. Our graduates have also found employment in Criminal Justice, Child Care/Child Protection as well as working with people with mental health issues, substance misuse problems, physical disabilities or old age.