Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 360 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.
If you’re already a registered social worker with a Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) or similar qualification, the OU’s degree in social work studies enables you to top-up to an honours degree in just two years part-time study.
This degree course will build on your existing skills and knowledge to prepare you for further challenges in your social work practice. It will help you to develop your reflective and evidence-based practice, and the skills needed to critically challenge social work and social care services – taking into account the dynamic social, cultural, spiritual, legal, political and economic factors affecting care delivery.
This qualification is designed for qualified social workers who do not hold a degree – it is not a qualifying award leading to registration as a social worker in the UK. Sponsorship by your employer is not required.
Planning your studies
All entrants to the BA (Hons) Social Work Studies must have successfully completed a professional qualification in social work at a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI) that has led to registration as a social worker. You must be able to provide evidence of your qualification in social work and your current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), transferred from the General Social Care Council (GSCC); Northern Ireland Social Care Council; Scottish Social Services Council; or Care Council for Wales.
Pathway 1: If you hold a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) in Social Work or equivalent 240-credit qualification(s):
- and your DipHE/DipSW was awarded by the OU you can declare your intention to study for this degree when you register on individual modules
- or if your DipHE/DipSW was awarded by another HEI, you will need to apply for credit transfer towards the 120 credits of Level 1 and 120 credits of Level 2 requirements of this degree – see ‘Credit for previous study elsewhere’ section below
- you will normally only require 120 credits from the list of Level 3 modules below.
Pathway 2: If you hold a Certificate in Social Service or a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work which entitles you to registration as a qualified social worker:
- you will need to apply for credit transfer towards the Level 1 requirements of this degree – see ‘Credit for previous study elsewhere’ section below
- you may also hold other qualifications or academic credit which can be assessed against the Level 2 requirement of this degree
- if you are assessed to have any shortfall of credit at Level 2, you will require up to 120 credits from the Level 2 modules listed below
- and will require 120 credits from the list of Level 3 modules below.
For both pathways, at Level 3, we recommend that your final module is Exploring Practice (K316).
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 120 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). If you have graduated with an OU BA degree without honours and are continuing your studies on to honours, this minimum requirement is reduced to 60 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.
Career relevance and employability
You may already be employed in a social work or social care setting as a qualified social worker (with, for example, a Diploma in Social Work) but without a degree. Or you may have recently taken a career break, and provided you’ve retained your registration, this degree could help you re-establish your credentials and show your willingness to engage with studies relevant to modern social work practice.
Completing an honours degree course in a relevant discipline can enhance your employability skills and future career prospects by clearly demonstrating your commitment to the post-qualifying learning requirements for ongoing registration. This degree is designed to help you develop a sound and critical understanding of policy, theory and practice in health and social care. It will provide you with an opportunity to engage with the challenges facing professionals, service users and policy makers in the UK today.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 360-credit honours degree you require:
Pathway 1: If you hold a UK Higher Education Institution Diploma of Higher Education in Social Work qualification or equivalent 240-credit qualification
60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Adulthood, ageing and the life course (K319)
|
60 |
|
- Issues in research with children and young people (EK313)
|
60 |
|
- Leadership and management in care (K313)
|
60 |
|
- Working together for children (KE312)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules EK310, K302, K303, K309, KE308
And 60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 3 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Exploring practice (K316)
|
60 |
|
Pathway 2: If you hold a Certificate in Social Service or a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work and are assessed to have a shortfall of credit at Level 2
60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The law and social work in England and Wales (K270)
|
60 |
|
- The law and social work in Scotland (K207)
|
60 |
|
And at least 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Adult health, social care and wellbeing (K217)
|
60 |
|
- Death and dying (K260)
|
30 |
|
- Welfare, crime and society (DD208)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules DD201,DSE212, ED209, K202, K204, K225, K229, K257, K259, K272 U212
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Adulthood, ageing and the life course (K319)
|
60 |
|
- Issues in research with children and young people (EK313)
|
60 |
|
- Leadership and management in care (K313)
-
|
60 |
|
- (Working together for children (KE312)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules EK310, K302, K303, K309, KE308
And 60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 3 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Exploring practice (K316)
|
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
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required modules, you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Social Work Studies degree and will be entitled to use the letters BA (Hons) Soc Wk Stud (Open) after your name.
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 best grades you achieve in a minimum of 120 and up to 240 credits from modules listed above. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at Level 3.
You will have the option of attending 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