School of Applied Social Studies

“I don’t have enough good things to say about the course, it’s varied, challenging and most importantly enjoyable. The Granite City might not be as trendy as Edinburgh or Glasgow but I know it has the best Social Work course in Scotland without a shadow of a doubt!”

Joseph Leask BA (Hons) Social Work Graduate 1st in Scotland for overall student satisfaction in Health and Social Care

Our courses are designed to provide you with the skills required to add value to society, whatever career path you decide to take. We are the largest provider of social work education in Scotland, and are immensely proud that our students have ranked us as the best university in Scotland for overall student satisfaction in Health and Social Care (National Student Survey 2020).

We are committed to helping every student become as attractive as possible to future employers. To help us achieve this we frequently consult with a range of relevant industry stakeholders to ensure our courses are topical, relevant and applicable to the needs of the people who will need your services, and the organisations who may employ you in the future. Where possible we provide study abroad opportunities and this is particularly apparent within our Applied Social Science course where you have the option in Years 2 and 3. Studying abroad provides a solid foundation for your future career path with modern employers having emphasised the value they place on graduates who have direct experience of living or working abroad. Placements will also provide you with a valuable advantage when it is time to start your career. We offer placements at the forefront of practice and in a wide range of settings. For Social Work students, your three placement opportunities will provide you with a forum to put into practice the skills and knowledge from your course as you gain experience in the workplace. We pride ourselves on being a multidisciplinary School who often collaborate with other subject areas, which helps provide you with a taste of the working world. We implement small class sizes so we can get to know you as an individual and help you in the best way possible throughout your time at university.

www.rgu.ac.uk/sass SASSRGU

www.rgu.ac.uk/applied-social-sciences

BA (Hons) | UCAS Code:L310 | 4 Years

Involves the study of the society we live in and the relationships people have within that society. This course is built around the core disciplines of psychology and sociology, providing the best possible launching pad for a career in these fascinating areas.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS * SQA Higher: BBBB (to include a written subject requiring the use of English (p135)) GCE A Level Year 1 Entry: BCC (to include a written subject requiring the use of English (p135)) GCE A Level Year 2 Entry: BBC (to include a written subject requiring the use of English (p135))

Irish Leaving Certificate:

H2H2H3H3 (to include a written subject requiring the use of English (p135)) IB Diploma Year 1 Entry: 28 (to include a Higher Level written subject requiring the use of English (p135)) IB Diploma Year 2 Entry: 29 (to include a Higher Level written subject requiring the use of English (p135)) HNC/HND: Relevant HNC/HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for Year 2 or 3 entry *Applicants whose first language is not English should check the relevant course page on our website for entry requirements. WHY STUDY THIS COURSE AT RGU?

■ During Years 2 and 3 you have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions. This allows you to enhance your personal development and confidence as you explore applied social sciences in a different culture ■ Our class sizes are small and this, along with a high level of contact time with staff, enables us to provide a friendly and supportive learning environment which is highly valued by our students ■ In Years 3 and 4 you are given the opportunity to specialise in psychology or sociology by electing to study specific modules.

You can choose to specialise, or continue with a mix of disciplines, depending on your chosen career path.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

YEAR 1 Research Methods and Study Skills, Introductory Psychology: Social Sciences, Social Sciences and Society, Understanding Social Change, Governing the UK, Cognitive and Social Psychology, Sociology of Identity, Difference and Deviance, Ways of Life. YEAR 2 Studying Social Sciences Abroad, or if not taking the study abroad route you can choose from; Research: Statistics and Data Analysis, The Sociological Problem of Crime, Digital Societies and Digital Minds, Sociology of Genders and Sexualities, Psychology: Personality and Individual Differences, Exploring Research, Theorising Social Life, Discovering Psychology: History, Concepts and Debates. YEAR 3 Studying Social Sciences Abroad or, if not taking the study abroad route, you can choose 4 elective modules. View the full list here. Qualitative Research Methods (core), and you can choose 3 elective modules. View the full list here. YEAR 4 Dissertation (core), elective modules include; Social Psychology, Developments in Counselling, The Body in Contemporary Life, Crime, Criminology and The Justice System, Media, Culture and Society, Biological Foundations of Behaviour, Clinical Psychology and Mental Health, Terrorism, People and Places, Forensic Psychology, Global Development, The Psychology of Human Nature: Evolution and Behaviour.

WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY

Graduation Story: Dayna Ransome

CAREER PROSPECTS

Undertaking a course in social sciences offers a wide variety of routes into employment including health and social care management, human resources, the police or education. Many of our graduates also undertake postgraduate study, enabling them to specialise in a variety of areas including social work, teaching, management and postgraduate research.

www.rgu.ac.uk/social-work

BA (Hons) | UCAS Code:L500 | 4 Years

WHY STUDY THIS COURSE AT RGU?

■ Ranked 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for course satisfaction in social work (Guardian University Guide 2021) ■ Ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for teaching satisfaction in social work (Guardian University Guide 2021) ■ Ranked 2nd in Scotland for career prospects (Guardian University

Guide 2021) ■ A major asset of the course is the practice placement opportunities which will provide you with sought-after work experience, helping you to boost your CV. You will undertake 3 placements throughout Years 2, 3 and 4 ■ You will have the fantastic opportunity in Year 3 to study abroad with one of our partner institutions ■ Successful completion confers eligibility to practice as a Social Worker within the UK, and to register with the Scottish Social Services

Council (SSSC) and other Social Care Councils in the UK ■ You will benefit from good staff-student contact time, with experienced, specialist lecturers, many of whom are still practicing. You will also have the opportunity to work with services users.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

YEAR 1 Study and Research Skills, Individual Psychology and the Lifespan, Introductory Sociology, Social Work Values, Roles and Tasks, Cognitive and Social Psychology, Sociology of Identity, Difference and Deviance, An Introduction to Law and Politics in Social Work, Social Work In Society. YEAR 2 Law and Social Work, Human Growth and Behaviour, Social Work Methods, Social Policy and Social Work Practice, Social Work With Older People, Social Work With People With Substance Problems, Social Work Practice, Disability and Mental Health. YEAR 3 Personal and Professional Development - Justification, Evaluation and Reflection, Social Work Practice, Social Work in Criminal Justice, Social Work with Children and Families, Counselling within Social Work Practice, Social Work Practice and Research Methods. YEAR 4 Social Work Practice, Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Reflection, Dissertation Study, Integration and Interdisciplinary Practice, with 1 elective module from the following; Social Work in a Global Context, Therapeutic Practice with Children, Leadership and Management in Social Work Settings.

WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY

Graduation Story: Skye Melvin We’re the largest provider of social work education in Scotland, which we’ve been delivering for more than 50 years. We’ve established a reputation for high-quality teaching and producing highly employable graduates.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS * SQA Higher: BBCC (Maths, Numeracy or equivalent and English at National 5 C) GCE A Level: CCC (Maths, Numeracy or equivalent and English at GCSE 5)

Irish Leaving Certificate:

H3H3H3H3 (Maths, Numeracy or equivalent and English at O3) IB Diploma: 26 (Maths, Numeracy or equivalent and English at Standard Level grade 4) HNC/HND: A relevant HND from a partner college will be considered for Year 2 entry. Applicants with an HNC from a partner college will also be considered for Year 2 entry Interview: You will be required to attend an interview. Applicants who do not have an appropriate certificated level of Maths, Numeracy or equivalent will be expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of Numeracy at interview *Applicants whose first language is not English should check the relevant course page on our website for entry requirements.

CAREER PROSPECTS You will be able to work across the social sector with children, teenagers, adults, people with additional learning needs, mental health issues, health issues and substance use. Additionally, hospitals, schools, prisons, residential care, child protection, housing, group work, community work, fostering and adoption.