Course details
UCAS Code
L500
Year of entry
2025
Duration
3 YRS (FT)
UCAS Tariff
96-112
Institution Code
G53
Location
Wrexham
Course Highlights
1st in Wales
for Teaching Quality*
2nd in the UK
for Teaching*
1st in Wales
for Career Prospects*
Why choose this course?
Social Work is a challenging yet rewarding career which offers a varied range of employment opportunities within either Local Authorities or wider networks and organisations.
This course offers a detailed and dynamic perspective of social work; covering theoretical perspectives; underpinning values and ethics; legislation and social policy; the impact of poverty and practice in Wales.
Our partnership arrangement alongside Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham Local Authorities enables students to be hosted by and build relationships with their potential future employers and to undertake practice learning within teams undertaking social work.
We also undertake teaching sessions alongside other professional courses such as policing, nursing and occupational therapy which enables students to understand different professional perspectives and training.
This course gives you the opportunity to work alongside Outside In, a unique group of individuals who are considered experts through experience and enable students to ‘complete the circle’ of learning by hearing from those individuals who have had involvement in social work, either by receiving services, caring for those that have or who potentially may need to access social workers in the future.
*This course is part of a subject area ranked 1st in Wales for Teaching Quality in the Social Work subject area league table in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025.
*This course is part of a subject area ranked 2nd in the UK for Teaching on my course and top 10 in the UK for Learning Opportunities and Assessment and Feedback in the National Student Survey, 2024.
*This course is rated 1st in Wales for Career Prospects in the Social Work subject area league table in the Guardian University Guide, 2025.
Outside In
'Outside In' is an innovative focus group, forming part of our Social Work degree in which members include those who’ve used social care and health services and who have expertise through experience.
Key course features
- Supportive learning environment
- Close links with local authorities learning opportunity providers
- On graduating you will be eligible for registration with any of the UK’s four Regulatory Bodies for Social Work
- Varied employment opportunities on graduation
- Course delivery by academics from a range of backgrounds with varied professional experiences and interests
- A range of teaching methods are used, utilizing, for example, seminars, lectures, workshops and group work.
Please note, student Social Work students must be registered with Social Care Wales, which is the regulatory body for all Social Workers in Wales.
What you will study
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
The primary focus of this year is the development of academic and professional practice. This is done through a combination of academic study and 20 day practice learning opportunity.
MODULES
- Foundations of Coproduction
- Entering the Profession
- Values and Ethics
- Introduction to Social Policy and Poverty
- Life Course Perspectives
- Practice Learning Opportunity
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
This year has a combination of exploring the theory and practice elements of the social work role and an 80-day practice learning opportunity.
MODULES
- Conflicts and Dilemmas
- Law and Social Work
- Interpersonal Dispositions
- Exploring Skills for Practice
- Social Work in Wales
- Research for Social Work Practice
- Practice Learning Opportunity 560 hrs
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)
The final year is focused on drawing together the different aspects of the theory and practice together, and for the students to then undertake a 100-day practice learning opportunity.
MODULES
- Integrating Social Work Theories
- Dissertation
- Safeguarding in Context
- Creative Practice
- Practice Learning Opportunity 700 hrs
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.
Entry requirements & applying
The academic requirements for the course are 96-112 UCAS tariff points at GCE A-level or equivalent. You must be fluent in written and spoken English or Welsh and possess qualifications in English/Welsh (First Language) and Maths - at least grade C/4 at GCSE or an equivalent level 2 qualification.
Relevant experience (employed, voluntary or personal) is essential prior to applying for the course. Social Care Wales requires this to amount to a minimum of 360 hours. The third entry requirement is that you are able to demonstrate an understanding of social work.
All post-interview offers of a place on this degree, are conditional to the completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance so that we can assess your suitability for working with children and vulnerable adults. In addition, acceptance onto the programme is subject to registration as a student social worker with Social Care Wales.
Please note: we only accept deferred entries for Social Work in exceptional circumstances. You will need to speak with the admissions team if you wish to ask about the possibility of deferring.
Teaching & Assessment
Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways: presentations, essays, reflective learning logs, dissertation, and more.
Students are encouraged to undertake learning needs assessments in year 1 if needed – this will lead to the best form of learning support being offered to students on an individualised basis.
Teaching and learning
Effective social work is about an integration of theoretical and practice understanding. Consequently the programme is taught in a range of ways and through various media. Students can expect to experience straightforward didactic information giving, as much as interactive role playing and group work. Demonstrating intrapersonal communication and team work skills are fundamentals of social work practice, so you are expected to actively participate and engage in all learning opportunities and styles.
In response to C-19, the programme is being taught in a mix of on-campus and online sessions. It is a full-time course, with 3 days per week timetabled during the periods of academic teaching, and 5 days per week on practice learning opportunities. Practice Learning Opportunities are divided into 20 days, year 1, 80 days, year 2 and 100 days, year 3.
Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.
We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.
In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.
Career prospects
Our Careers & Employability Service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.
Social Work is a highly desirable qualification which consistently achieves exceptionally high employment rates among graduates. Although many registered social workers are employed by Local Authorities, many voluntary and third sector agencies and organisations employ social workers too.
There are a multitude of post-qualification programmes that graduates can continue their development through including specialised roles such as Approved Mental Health Practitioner. There are regularly opportunities to progress through managerial structures in organisations too.
Fees & funding
You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.
The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.
All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.
Programme specification
Accommodation
If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our Accommodation pages to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.
Subject to re-validation
As part of its continuous quality assurance and enhancement, the University reviews its courses on a regular basis to ensure that they reflect the needs of students and employers. Periodic review of the existing programmes is required every five years and major changes may be made to the programmes during the re-validation process. As soon as the programmes are re-validated the details of the course will be confirmed. The majority of courses that are still ‘subject to re-validation’ are approved by the validation process; however, this is not guaranteed and should the course not go ahead as planned, or be significantly amended, you will be informed by the university and assistance will be provided to those who have been offered a place to find a suitable alternative course either at Wrexham University or at another provider.
