What makes Birmingham so special? Read on to find out why you should come to Birmingham to study Social Work.
The city itself
Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the UK, even more ethnically diverse than London. Studying in Birmingham means you will have the opportunity to work with individuals from all walks of life and varied cultural backgrounds. Being the UK's second largest city, Birmingham provides you with invaluable learning experiences and a vibrant culture to enjoy both personally and professionally. You will be part of a diverse international community right at the heart of the UK.
Our staff are leading experts in the field
Our Social Work lecturers have an array of industry experiences, including working in safeguarding for the Court of Protection, for the British Association of Social Workers and as practice educators within local authorities. Many are still research active, contributing to scholarship projects in childhood, youth, and social work. Who better to learn from than someone who has held positions in the social work sector and succeeded in roles you may one day hope to have?
We offer an abundance of opportunities
BCU has partnerships and strong industry links with many organisations across the West Midlands. Our broad partner network means we can 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.
With parts of our Social Work course taking place in practice settings, the 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.
Many of our courses provide qualification for a profession, including Social Work, which allows you to register with Social Work England.
HELS Go Abroad travel scholarships are available to all of our School of Education and Social Work students to apply for once you have enrolled, for the chance to gain work experience in a different country. It's a great opportunity for helping your CV to stand out from the crowd!
Facilities
Our courses are taught in the £30 million Seacole Building, where our Social Work students have access to a home environment room and mock hospital wards which offer an opportunity to gain experience of working with service users in different situations.
Our facilities offer hands-on practical experience with professional standard equipment across our courses. These facilities replicate real social environments like a hospital ward and a home environment room, which can be helpful when you want to practise skills ready for your placements.