Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 480 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
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. You also need a qualifying degree.
The Open University’s BA (Hons) Social Work (Scotland) is approved by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and successful completion of the programme provides eligibility to apply for registration as a qualified social worker. To take this degree course, you need to be working in a social care agency in Scotland whether or not you are sponsored by your employer. You’ll continue with your employment while you study, earning while you learn.
Studying through work-based and distance learning, you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills that underpin effective practice, and the ability to deal with difficult and sensitive issues while working within a complex professional system. Towards the end of your studies, specialist options will enable you to focus on particular client groups and practice areas.
The requirements for the degree in England and Wales are different and exact arrangements can be found in the descriptions for the BA (Hons) Social Work (England) (B32) and the BA (Hons) Social Work (Wales) (B42). Please note that a BA (Honours) Social Work in Northern Ireland is not available.
You’ll normally complete each of the four stages in order. However, if you have completed open modules already you will usually be allowed to count them in up to the end of Stage Three. Counting-in is not normally permitted at Stage Four. You must complete and pass the practice learning modules in order and the practice learning module must be completed last in each stage.
Planning your studies
Although some modules in the programme are available to all students, the full programme is at present restricted to students working in Scotland who are being supported in their practice by their employing agency. Entry has to be made through the employing agency; you cannot apply direct to the OU. Employing agencies and individuals who are interested in taking part in the Programme are invited to contact the Social Work Co-ordinator at The Open University in Scotland on telephone 0131 549 7945.
All candidates for the degree must:
- have a qualification at the level of Standard Grade Two in English and Maths
- show that they can communicate clearly in spoken and written English
- demonstrate that they have the appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be social workers
- take part in an interview.
They must also register with the SSSC as a student social worker. Registration with the SSSC includes a Protection of Vulnerable Adults, Disclosure Scotland check.
Students would normally start at Stage 1 of the degree, however some students may be eligible to apply for, and be awarded, credit for previous study against one or two of the Stage 1 modules. (Students who have a degree may also be eligible to start at Stage 2 of the degree).
There is a time limit for studying this degree. You must obtain the required 480 credits within ten years of registration for this qualification and by 31 December 2017. Any credit you have gained from previous OU study or transferred credit prior to registration for the social work degree is not included in this time limit.
Please also note that registration with Scottish Social Service Council as a student social worker is for seven years from the point of registration. Extensions to this are only made in exceptional circumstances.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 160 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you (with the exception of an undergraduate-level qualification of less than 120 credits). Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications on the way to your OU honours degree, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your degree.
See our faculty website for further information about this degree.
Career relevance and employability
An honours degree in social work is now the professional qualification required for all social workers in the UK. Once you’ve successfully completed the degree course, you’ll be entitled to apply for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a social worker.
The degree will prepare you for practice as you begin your career as a qualified social worker. You’ll have gained the skills needed to work with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and other professionals, and be able to demonstrate to employers your professional competence in social work practice. Employers sponsoring staff on this degree have commented that:
- OU graduates are enthusiastic social workers who are well equipped to provide high quality interventions with service users
- a very high percentage of their OU qualified staff remain within their organisation and progress to more senior roles.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 480-credit honours degree you require:
Stage 1
120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- An introduction to health and social care (K101)
|
60 |
|
- and
-
|
- Introducing the social sciences (DD102)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules K100, KZX100, DD100, DD101, DD121, DD122, DD132*
* To include this module you must have studied the now discontinued DD131 before DD132
Stage 2
90 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Foundations for social work practice (K113)
|
60 |
|
- or
-
|
- Foundations for social work practice (KYJ113)
|
60 |
|
Level 2 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued 30-credit module K229
-
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 you may be allowed to count the discontinued modules K204 or K224 – please contact the Social Work team in Scotland
And 30 credits from one of the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Adult health, social care and wellbeing (K217)
|
60 |
|
- Death and dying (K260)
|
30 |
|
- Dementia care (K235)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, you may be allowed to count the discontinued modules K201, K202, K222, K225, K257 K268 or K272 in place of one of the above options.
Stage 3
120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The law and social work in Scotland (K207)
|
60 |
|
- Applied social work practice (K216)
|
60 |
|
Stage 4
60 credits from one of the following optional modules:
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Adulthood, ageing and the life course (K319)
|
60 |
|
- Leadership and management in health and social care (K313)
|
60 |
|
- Working together for children (KE312)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, you may be allowed to count the discontinued module K302, K303, K309, KE308 in place of one of the above options.
And 60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 3 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Critical social work practice (K315)
|
60 |
|
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
A credit transfer scheme for the programme is in place for Stage One and parts of Stage Two. Qualifications which may be eligible for credit include the HNC in Social Care; the HNC in Social Sciences, a qualification in general or mental health nursing (if linked to a DipHE), and a relevant degree. For further information please visit the Credit transfer site.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
Essential Information Sheets - BA (Honours) Social Work (Scotland)
Until 31 December 2017, present holders of the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) can top up their credits to achieve the academic qualification BA (Hons) Social Work Studies (B59) by studying a further 120 credits at Level 3 (SCQF Level 10). For a full description of the top-up route and details of how to apply for it, please look at the description of the BA (Hons) Social Work Studies (B59).
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the necessary modules, you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work (Scotland) degree. You will be entitled to use the letters BA (Hons) after your name, and to apply to the Scottish Social Services Council for formal registration as a social worker.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class, upper second-class, lower second-class or third-class. The class of degree is determined by the grades you achieve in 240 credits from graded OU modules above SCQF Level 7, of which at least 120 credits must be from modules at SCQF Level 10.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification