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LOCATION
Stratford Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
Are you interested in how people develop and what influences their behaviour? Do you want to help people at risk of harm? Are you interested in legislation and social policy?
This hugely popular course, one of UEL's flagship degrees, will give you a rewarding insight into contemporary social work and train you to become a reflective, capable and effective practitioner. You’ll learn how to support, protect and speak up for people in significant personal difficulty.
We'll give you the theory and information you need through lectures and seminars, but this course is all about hands-on experience - or 'learning by doing', as we call it.
You'll undertake supervised placements in your second and third years, applying your learning by working on real-life projects. By doing this, you'll be able to narrow down your areas of interest for your post-university career.
Thanks to an accreditation agreement between the University of East London and the Health and Care Professions Council, your degree will allow you to practise as a qualified social worker immediately after you graduate.
What makes this course different
Youth and Community Work at University of East London
'I come from humble beginnings and always wanted to give back to the community'. Our former student, Nahim, describes how University of East London helped shape the person he is today.
Nahim was awarded an OBE for his work with young people in Tower Hamlets. Our graduates give back to their communities and make an impact in the world.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
On your journey from student to practitioner, you'll be taught everything you need to know for a career in social work - current legislation and government policy, information sharing and confidentiality requirements, ways of communicating, social policy theories and research methods.
But knowledge is just one side of the coin. Hands-on skills and experience are an equally important part of a social worker' toolkit. That's why 'learning by doing' is at the heart of our course.
For example, you'll learn about safeguarding and when to take action, how to observe, when to observe, how and when to listen, how to promote social justice and how to practise in a non-discriminatory manner.
You'll learn reflective practice – essentially, thinking more carefully about situations. You'll receive plenty of support to help you develop emotional resilience and an ability to work with others to solve problems.
Other key skills you'll gain are the analysis and interpretation of evidence, as well as the art of critical thinking to draw on the appropriate knowledge and improve your performance as a social worker.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
Course specification BA (Hons) Social Work
pdf, 243.62 KB
Admissions Guidebook Prospective Applicants 2021 2022
pdf, 782.27 KB
MODULES
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth and Professional Fitness: Readiness for Social Work Practice CloseMental Wealth and Professional Fitness: Readiness for Social Work Practice
Mental Wealth and Professional Fitness: Readiness for Social Work Practice-SK4013, is embedded as the Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth (Mental Wealth) module at Level 4 on the BA (Hons) Social Work course and delivers all nine Mental Wealth Competencies. In this core module, we will consider key concepts, and you will be introduced to the competencies and skills as set by the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), British Association for Social Work and the Professional Standards (Social Work England) and their application to social work’s value-based practice. The module offers you several structured opportunities to practice key generic skills for working with people and increase your understanding of the social work role in a less pressured way than would be the case in a practice learning environment. These skills, competencies and experiences will form a valuable 'toolkit' that you can use for confident progression whilst studying on the BA (Hons) Social Work degree to entering employment.
Communication skills CloseCommunication skills
SK4010 is a core module on the BA (Hons) Social Work course at Level 4. This module will enable you to develop communication and interviewing skills that you can apply to working with people with lived experience of social work with a range of needs. The module will support you to developing skills in critical reflection and self-awareness using a structured reflection process to understand how these dimensions influence interpersonal and professional relationships. You will also have the opportunity to learn and evaluate different theoretical perspectives related to counselling, group work and individual communication. In this module you will develop an awareness of your own values and beliefs and the impact these have on interactions with others You will have opportunities to critically review and rehearse approaches to communication skills important professional social work practice.
Introduction to theory CloseIntroduction to theory
This module is a core module on the BA (Hons) Social Work course at Level 4. You will be introduced to a range of social work theories and practice models applied to social work and begin to develop a critical understanding the ways different perspectives can contribute to social work practice with diverse populations within a wide range of settings.
There will be a particular focus on a small selection of commonly used theories and models along with their main applications to critical and analytical thinking and reflection in relation to social work practice including factors guiding the choice and critical evaluation of these, and user-led perspectives.
An emphasis is placed on reflective practice. As means to help you understand the multiple applications of theory to social work, you will use reflective practice cycles to explore and enhance your own professional development. Through the use of practice scenarios, you will also examine the relevance of theorisation to deeper understandings of adaptation and change.
Human Growth and Development CloseHuman Growth and Development
SK4011 is a core module on the BA (Hons) Social Work course at Level 4.. During the lecture series you will be introduced to key psychosocial theories that address growth and development across the human lifecycle. The lecture series highlights and explore the influences of early life experiences in later life. During this module you will develop an initial understanding of how theories apply to human development through a series of practical and experiential lectures and seminars
Social Contexts and Social Policy CloseSocial Contexts and Social Policy
SK4205 is a core module on the BA(Hons) Social Work course at Level 4. This module will enable you to begin to understand the interrelationship between social policy in the areas of social welfare, health, education, employment and the impact on social work practice. You will examine different ways that policy responds to social problems and consider their implications in relation to issues of culture, equality and diversity.
You will also be introduced to key sociological concepts which inform such debates and have the opportunity to explore and chart the development of specific social problems with links to social work practice. An emphasis will be placed on equipping you with an awareness of the kinds of social problems you will may encounter in whilst undertaking Professional Practice Placement I during year two of the course.
- Core Modules
Professional Practice Placement: I (70 Days) CloseProfessional Practice Placement: I (70 Days)
Contemporary Issues for Social Work Practice: I CloseContemporary Issues for Social Work Practice: I
Social Policy, Welfare, and Law I CloseSocial Policy, Welfare, and Law I
Contemporary Issues for Social Work Practice: II CloseContemporary Issues for Social Work Practice: II
Social Policy, Welfare, and Law II CloseSocial Policy, Welfare, and Law II
- Core Modules
Professional Practice Placement: II (100 Days) CloseProfessional Practice Placement: II (100 Days)
Advanced Social Work Theory: Applying Critical Thinking and Analysis to Practice CloseAdvanced Social Work Theory: Applying Critical Thinking and Analysis to Practice
Social Work Practice with Children and Families: Knowledge and Skills Integration CloseSocial Work Practice with Children and Families: Knowledge and Skills Integration
Research Minded Practice for Social Work CloseResearch Minded Practice for Social Work
Social Work Practice with Adults: Knowledge and Skills Integration CloseSocial Work Practice with Adults: Knowledge and Skills Integration
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
You'll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real life experience and research. We encourage an educational experience that is active, social, collaborative, engaging and student-owned. You will have access to a variety of resources ensuring your learning experience goes beyond the classroom.
When not attending timetabled lectures you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, Microsoft Teams and Moodle.
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7.
Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students. If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential.
You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need.
We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and a dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.
UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs). Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor-led sessions, individual learning, practical activities.
Our aim is to prepare our students for a broad range of careers so that they can make amazing contributions to their communities. When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Class sizes:
Lectures are made of larger groups in the first year, bringing together students doing degrees in similar subjects, students are then divided into smaller seminar groups to better encourage student interest, teamwork ability, and retention of knowledge and skills.
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
The approximate percentages for this course are:
- Year 1: 90% coursework, 10% Practical
- Year 2: 75% coursework, 25% Practical
- Year 3: 75% coursework, 25% Practical
We assess all modules through different forms of coursework. Assessment methods include group works, exams and individual work including essays
In addition to writing traditional essays, you'll be required to write reports, policy reviews and give presentations. This is to ensure you gain skills that are relevant to and can be transferred to the workplace. In your final year, you'll write a research dissertation.
All grades count towards your module mark.
More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

Stratford Campus, Water Lane, Stratford
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
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What we're researching
At the University of East London we are working on the some of the big issues that will define our future; from sustainable architecture and ethical AI, to health inequality and breaking down barriers in the creative industries.
Our students and academics are more critically engaged and socially conscious than ever before. Discover some of the positive changes our students, alumni and academics are making in the world.

The lecturers at UEL have been really supportive. They respond to emails quickly and have really helped me in areas where I have struggled. My placements have been great and I've learned a lot. I continued volunteering at my last placement so that I could see through the work that I had begun. I've also enjoyed improving my public speaking skills and doing presentations. I've built up my confidence and am no longer nervous to present to a big group."
Ismail Batanda
BA (Hons) Social Work, Undergraduate
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
We have more than 1,000 applicants for places on this course every year and only 65 places. Just to be accepted onto our programme is a massive achievement, and you'll when on your way to a rewarding career in social work.
Because we're the principal social work training provider in east London, you can rest assured that you'll be in very safe hands when it comes to finding a job after graduating.
We have strong links with local social work agencies and employers, who have known and trusted us and our graduates for many years. Our students are in constant demand for newly qualified social worker posts, so choosing this course will give you a head start when it comes to finding a job in social work in east London.
We're fully accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to award professional qualifications in social work alongside academic degrees. When you complete this degree, you'll be eligible to register with the HCPC and practice as a social worker, though you'll still be required to continue your professional development as part of your professional registration.
You'll do this through what's known as your 'Assessed and Supported Year in Employment', and you'll also have the option of gaining further qualifications, including a master's degree.
Through these courses, you can continue to develop academically and professionally in line with the framework agreed by The College of Social Work - social work's professional body.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.