Social workers support and protect some of society’s most deprived and vulnerable people. It’s immensely challenging and rewarding work, requiring a high level of motivation and commitment. The Open University's BA (Honours) Social Work (Northern Ireland) is approved by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), and successful completion entitles you to apply for registration as a social worker. As part of this work-based programme, you’ll need to have experience in either working or volunteering in a social work or social care agency. You’ll also need the support of a relevant social work/care employer throughout your degree.
**Key features of the course**
- Continue in your employment while you study, earning while you learn
- Study through work-based and distance learning
- Develop the knowledge and practical skills that underpin effective practice
- Improve your career progression and opportunities within social work
Course Details - Modules
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits. You’ll start Stage 1 with a module introducing health and social care, followed by a module that introduces social work practice, the key roles, standards of conduct and communication skills for social workers. Stage 2 starts with a module covering the law and social work and is followed by a practice module which includes an 85-day placement. At Stage 3, you’ll choose one module from a choice of four options, and conclude your degree with a practice module where you will undertake a 100-day placement.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
Deadline are not listed for this Course. This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
Application Code are not listed for this Course.
Institution code:
O11
Campus Name:
Distance Learning
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
This degree is restricted to students who are being sponsored in their practice by their employing agency.
To study this degree, you must also:
- have GCSE at grades A*-C in English and mathematics or certified equivalent
- meet the UCAS tariff threshold of 96 points or equivalent
- show that you can communicate clearly in spoken and written English (with and IELTS score of 7 if English is not your first language)
- demonstrate that you have the appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be a social worker
- obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from Access Northern Ireland
- complete a health check
- produce a written personal statement in your application
- take part in an interview.
Entry to the degree must be through your employing agency; you cannot apply direct to the OU. If you volunteer with a social care agency, they may be able to sponsor you on to the programme, but they must be a designated site for providing social work placements.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
