Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
As one of the largest providers of social workers in the UK, our Social Work BSc (Hons) degree is regulated by Social Work England and is well known for producing excellent practitioners capable of operating in local authority, voluntary or private settings.
Our specially-designed degree will give you the skills and knowledge needed to make a
difference to people's lives as a professional and registered social worker.
You will learn about the social work profession and the needs of the people social workers support. We link theory and practice through a combination of academic learning and on the job placement opportunities.
You will gain a first-hand insight into a wide range of issues that you will face in social work practice, such as:
Through expert teaching and quality placements, you will develop a sophisticated understanding of different service user groups and the skills needed to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable people.
This social work degree course is among the most innovative of its kind, placing you where you will benefit the most - among the people and communities you will go on to support.
“Some of my colleagues envy the teaching we received at Birmingham City University when they hear what we covered.”
Taiwona Kanjanda
“I like how the student body panel is diverse and multicultural and how they always want to involve the students in everything.”
'Fikayo Erinoso
Our Open Day for this course will take place in March 2021. Register now and we will contact you when the booking form goes live.
Jess Tout
Starting university as a mature student and worrying whether she would fit in with her flatmates was a worry for Jess at first, but BCU made her feel a part of a university that is inclusive and supports every student.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
120 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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Level 2 Qualifications | ||
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UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
GCSE |
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City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Adult Numeracy/ Adult Literacy |
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Functional Skills/ Essential Skills level 2 |
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Key Skills level 2 |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
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Scottish Intermediate 2 |
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Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
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Scottish National 5 |
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IELTS |
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Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
A level and Advanced VCE |
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AS and AS VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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Certificate in Higher Education (Dip HE) |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
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Scottish Advanced Higher |
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Scottish Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science |
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Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
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EU/International Students: | ||
Academic requirements |
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IELTS |
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Additional requirements |
Successful applicants must meet the International English Language Test (IELTS) at Level 7, and confirm prior to interview decision/offer that they have the ability to use basic IT facilities.
Portfolio route
A Portfolio route has been devised for those applicants who have significant relevant experience of working with vulnerable people but do not meet the formal entry requirements. To follow this route you are still expected to possess GCSE Mathematics and English or equivalent.
Requirements:
The portfolio is made up of the following:
To apply via the portfolio route, you will need to put the items above together in a folder (portfolio) and send it to the admissions tutor with an application form. The portfolio is then looked at by academic staff at the university, who will evaluate the work and make a judgement about the applicant's suitability for the Social Work programme. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an admissions day where they will undertake a written test, group exercise and individual interview.
In addition:
Places are subject to a satisfactory Occupational Heath Check, and a Disclosure and Barring Service report .
Applicants should be aware that qualifications, personal statement, references, interview, group and written exercise all form part of the selection criteria for this course.
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
There are three ways to apply:
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
The admissions process is in three stages, using a range of activities to evaluate your potential to undertake social work education and practice.
Your application and personal statements are screened for eligibility against the entry requirements and shortlisted. If you're successfully shortlisted you'll be invited to an admissions day at the University. During the day you will be evaluated in a number of areas.
You demonstrate your written and analytical skills, and your ability to interact and perform in a group task.
During an individual interview, you are expected to demonstrate your individual application of skills, knowledge and values required in the social work profession. The process is mapped against The College of Social Work's Professional Capabilities Framework at entry level, and you will have to meet these criteria.
You are required to pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Only those applicants who are successful in each stage will be offered a place on the course.
When preparing to write your application and personal statement you need to make sure you tell us about a number of things so that we can make sure you have a good chance of being shortlisted. It is essential to say:
Indicate that you have some awareness of what social work is, and what social workers do. What are some of the challenges and dilemmas that social workers face? Think about issues such as equality, diversity and empathy and their relevance to social work.
Show that you understand what is required to study social work.
What skills and experience do you have (either paid or voluntary) that would be transferable in social work practice? It is increasingly important to have experience of working with vulnerable groups of people.
What values do you have that are appropriate in social work? How do these relate to working with vulnerable people in an anti-discriminatory way?
Do you have any hobbies or interests that demonstrate skills relevant to social work?
If you have an idea of what you would like to achieve after completing the course, explained how you want to use the knowledge and experience gained.
If you are including a non-academic reference, make sure that the person providing this knows you very well, and is able to comment upon your skills, qualities and potential to be a social worker.
Here is some advice for those who have been successfully shortlisted and invited to an admissions day:
You will receive an invitation from the university including the date, arrival time, where to go and where to report to. There will be contact details of who to contact if you have difficulties. You will also be sent more detailed information about the course and about the admissions day.
Arrive on time – latecomers might not be able to proceed and may have to re-book.
Make sure you arrive at the Birmingham City University Campus on Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, as some applicants who are not familiar with Birmingham have turned up at the wrong campus or the wrong university in the past.
Inform the University well in advance if you have any specific needs during the day. Reasonable adjustments can only be made with advance notice and evidence of an educational needs assessment. Applicants with specific needs should provide us with at least two weeks' advance notice from the date of invitation. If you do not inform us we may have to reschedule, if that is viable.
When engaging with the written task, focus on analysing what is going on in the case scenario you will be given. Keep description down to a limit and focus on your assessment of the situation.
Be prepared to contribute to a small group discussion. Those who say little or convey limited knowledge and understanding of social work may not demonstrate sufficient capabilities required to proceed to an interview. Be sensitive to other participants in the discussion.
If you proceed to an individual interview consider the following:
Be clear about why you want to be a social worker.
Do some research into what social work is, and what it sets out to achieve. Prepare examples of how social workers can support vulnerable people.
Consider what skills you have that can be useful in social work. How could you develop these skills?
Give some thought to what knowledge you would need to be a social worker. Prepare examples of any theories, legislation or policy social workers might use.
Consider what values are needed to work with vulnerable people and to work in an anti-discriminatory way. Check out the role of The College of Social Work and the British Association of Social Workers’ (BASW) code of ethics.
Think about the academic skills you have developed in previous study, and how you will meet the demands of studying at degree level. Consider examples of how you would do this.
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Find additional costs for your course
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
We understand that it is difficult to obtain work experience in the current situation and the restrictions in place. If you are unable to obtain work experience relevant to your course, this will not affect your application. If you do want to gain some experience to help prepare you for your course, there are other options available. The UCAS website details a range of alternative activities that you might want to consider.
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Our social work degree course links theory directly with practice, enabling you to engage effectively and sensitively with vulnerable groups. You'll graduate as a professional capable of ensuring the users of social work services have the maximum possible independence while still safeguarding them from harm and risk. We'll help you develop and maintain the confidence of service users, protecting their rights, effectively promoting their interests and ensuring equality.
Our degree is designed to prepare you in the best way possible for direct practice, partnering with employers to ensure you get experience in a variety of settings. You'll have the chance to work alongside a range of vulnerable groups and individuals with differing needs on placement. This may involve working in a day-care setting, for groups who require a few hours of attention daily, or in the community, carrying out assessments, developing care plans, identifying and responding to risk, managing complex caseloads and prioritising work, as well as delivering appropriate services.
In year one you'll start your training with five modules that will introduce you to what social workers do. This includes anti-discriminatory issues, the law and issues related to human growth and development, as well as other vital areas of social welfare.
In the second year, you'll continue to build your knowledge base about the demands placed on modern social workers with a further four modules as well as your first major placement (70 days). The year concludes with an introduction to research methods.
In the final year of the social work degree, you'll develop more of your evidence-based skills and hone your knowledge of law and policy. The course features a longer, 100 day placement. You'll finish the course by working on critical reflection, giving you a robust platform from which you can begin to practice as a social worker.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This course is approved by Social Work England.
Filled with state-of-the-art equipment, our SPACE (Skills Practice and Care Enhancement) area is the perfect place for you to practise a wide range of skills at your own pace.
Watch our video to see how access to SPACE has helped our students to succeed.
Our Social Work degree gives you a strong foundation for a career as a social worker and also provides a gateway for progression into further study. Employers encourage graduates to continue their professional development, by undertaking, for example, post- qualifying training in child care, adult services and mental health. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of continuing professional development (CPD), post-registration courses.
After graduating from the social work degree, you are eligible to register with Social Work England, enabling you to practise as a professional social worker.
With half of the course taking place in practice settings, this course is highly regarded by employers. The experience you will gain as a social work student at Birmingham City University, the largest provider of qualified health and social services staff in the region, gives you excellent employment prospects.
Placements take place across a range of agencies including local authorities, voluntary and independent organisations, in a variety of settings such as residential, day care, schools, housing, hospitals and Social Work teams.
A significant period of time on the programme is spent on placement, observing and engaging with the realities of social work with at least two different client groups, and the final year placement will always involve working and learning in statutory social work interventions.
The course aims to offer separate placements with children and families and an adult group. You will undertake a minimum 170 days of placements over the three years of the course, working in different settings with service users and professional colleagues. Group learning is an important part of ensuring you engage with a diverse range of undergraduate peers and staff.
Our broad partner network means we are able to offer placement opportunities in the public and independent sectors, drawing on strong links with Birmingham City Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, as well as charities including Barnardo’s.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
The course covers all aspects of social work, which will allow you to work with any vulnerable client group immediately, with regard for the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
A crucial testament to the quality of our training is that at least half of our students have confirmed jobs before they complete their course and 90 per cent go on to work or further study within six months of finishing the social work degree.
Many of our graduates progress to management or senior practitioner roles in local authority children’s or adult services within a few years of having completed their training. Others go on to secure senior posts in voluntary sector organisations, in practice education or further research.
Our social work degree graduates are skilled in the importance of evidence-based practice. Our typical graduate is resilient and empowered to be able to work with some of the most vulnerable people in society – crucial characteristics demanded by the regulator and the professional bodies defining best practice.
96%...of students are in graduate level employment or full time study six months after graduating2016/17 DLHE Response
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across.
These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice. Much of our teaching is carried out within our state-of-the-art, £30m Seacole Building, which houses cutting-edge learning facilities.
Take a virtual tour of our skills suites at Seacole
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that students learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. These include the only mock operating theatre in an English university and a cutting-edge radiography virtual clinical training facility, virtual ward and virtual case creator.
The Home Environment room is the perfect setting for teaching communications skills and allows us to simulate a community setting for our students. It is particularly useful for paramedics, mental health and learning disability nurses and also midwives.
The Seacole library, based at City South Campus, is one of the UK's largest specialist health education libraries. The state-of-the art facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas, a silent study area and private study rooms.
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, full colour printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.
Our staff have extensive experience of social work practice, which brings insight, depth, expertise and realism to your learning, and ensures the teaching reflects the current climate in social work practice.
The social work team are a diverse group of professionals with many research interests and backgrounds in all aspects of practice. Our Head of Department is involved in the regulation of social work programmes across the region, further underlining our close professional links with the sector.
Born in the Republic of Ireland, Albert obtained a degree in Commerce and initially started out on a career in business. He discovered that his interest in people, social problems, inequality, deprivation and disadvantage far outweighed his interest in commerce.
After moving to the UK in 1986 and settling in Birmingham, Albert qualified as a social worker and practised generically within Birmingham City Council with all adult client groups. He qualified as a Social Work Practice Teacher in 2005, and started to work closely with a number of local universities. After a period as a practice learning coordinator and off-site practice educator with Birmingham City Council Learning and Development, he was appointed as a Senior Lecturer in Social Work with Birmingham City University in 2007. In addition to teaching, Albert took on the role of Subject Quality Coordinator, and was Programme Director for the BSc (Hons) Social work Degree from 2014 to 2016.
Albert is a member of the Teaching Teams for the BSc (Hons) Social Work Degree, Social Work Practice Educator Training Programme, Approved Mental Health Professional Programme, Faculty MSc in Safeguarding, and the MSc in Social Work Programme. He has a special interest in identity, equality and social justice, the value of internationalization and having a global outlook, and enhancing the quality of social work education and social work practice.
He is currently Module leader for Equality, Diversity and Anti-discriminatory Practice in the BSc (Hons) Undergraduate Social Work Degree and is Deputy Programme Leader for the Social Work Practice Educator Training Programme and the MSc in Social Work.