Faculty of Health & Social Sciences
School of Society, Community and Health
Begin@Beds
Hi, I’m Dr Matt Ellis, the course lead for the MSc Social Work.
I’m really looking forward to meeting you during our induction week in September where you will be warmly welcomed along with your fellow students.
We are delighted that you have chosen one of our social work programmes of study at the University of Bedfordshire. Social Work is located within the School of Society Community and Health, so you will have opportunities to study alongside other students undertaking degrees within Allied or Public Health.
Dr Lana Burroughs is our Head of School and Dr Alberto Poletti is the Portfolio Lead for Social Work.
Course Lead
Dr Matt Ellis
matthew.ellis@beds.ac.uk
Your personal academic tutor is Email
From the start of your course you will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who will support you throughout your studies. The PAT will be your ‘go to’ person. They will offer regular tutorials; will support in relation to your placements, and can guide you in academic and personal matters, linking you to other support services where relevant.
Dr Matt Ellis Course Lead
Dr Lana Burroughs Head of School
Dr Alberto Poletti Portfolio Lead
Student Information Desk (SiD)
beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk
Treehouse Community & Faith Centre
Mental Health Services
beds.ac.uk/student-support/mentalwell mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk
BedsSU (student union) help@bedssu.co.uk
During your induction you will be warmly welcomed to the University. You will meet the staff team as well as your fellow students.
The course lead will provide you with an overview of what to expect in your first year.
You will have an opportunity to learn more about the content of the course; academic and professional requirements, and your practice placements. You will also be shown how to access and utilise some of the University systems such as BREO, the digital platform used for teaching and learning.
The induction days will also introduce you to the support services offered at the University.
Current students and alumni will come and talk to you about their experiences of studying here and answer any questions you may have.
Induction will also include an appointment for your ID and document checks.
ESSENTIAL LINKS
For more information on joining your course, visit Begin MSc Social Work @Beds where you will find updated info, tips and dates of your course induction week etc.
During the first year of the MSc Social Work you will study:
Working with People: Theories and methods for Social Work Practice
Semester 1
(September to December)
Sociology and Social Policy perspectives
Social Work law, ethics and values
Readiness for practice skills development and first placement
Human development across the lifespan
Semester 2 (January to May)
Readiness for practice skills development and first placement
First (70-day) placement
How to find your Timetable
Information about your learning with BREO
Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub
Visit the Library
Begin@Beds Start your student journey
Thrive@Beds My Beds Life
Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service
Our Course is approved by Social Work England, the regulatory body for social work profession.
As you enrol on the course you will be asked to complete an enhanced DBS, ID checks and an occupational health assessment. You will also be asked to read and sign your professional studies contract in line with Social Work England’s Professional Standards which will guide you through your course.
MSc Social Work students will complete the 70-day placement in the first year and the 100-day placement in the second year.
Your placement experience will be provided by local employer partners within and beyond the university’s dedicated teaching partnership, offering a variety of learning within voluntary, private and statutory sectors of social work practice.
Assessments are creative and designed to be inclusive of our diverse range of students. They are also designed to reflect the key social work skills you will need within your social work career, in accordance with Social Work England’s Standards and the Professional Capabilities Framework.
To pass your practice placements you will gather a range of evidence, including critical reflections, direct observations and feedback from others.
During your practice placement you will be supported and assessed by a Practice Educator, who is a qualified social worker.
Types of assessment for these units include:
Written assignments
Critical reflections
Presentations
Child observation
Law Exam
Research Project
• What do social workers do? includes video feedback from service users about their social workers
• BASW – Code of Ethics
Download BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work as a PDF
• Eating and drinking on-campus – University of Bedfordshire
• Parking – University of Bedfordshire
In the first year MSc Social Work students typically attend university-based teaching and skills day on campus from Tuesday to Thursday during the first semester. During semester two teaching days will usually be on Thursdays, and placement days will be from Monday to Wednesday. You will have a study day every Friday throughout the year.
Sample timetable – Semester 1 MSc Social Work
11am
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
Sociology and Social Policy
• Lectures
• Case Studies
• Debates
• Quizzes
• Court Room Skills
Perspectives:
• Lectures
• Debates
• Naked Teaching Practical Skills Day to develop social work skills
12pm LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH
1pm
10am Study Day Social Work Law, Ethics and Values:
Working with People:
• Lectures
• Workshops
• Interpersonal Skills
Development Study Practical Skills Day to develop social work skills 2pm 3pm 4pm
Study Day
How many hours do students have to study in Uni each week?
In the first year MSc students will attend university-based teaching and skills day on campus three days a week during the first semester. During semester two teaching days will be one day and three placement days, one study day throughout the year.
Where will placements be?
Placements are provided within Luton and the broader Bedfordshire County, within voluntary, private and statutory sectors.
Am I able to chose my placement?
No, however you are able to state any preferences in your placement profile and this will be taken into account.
Do I need to have a driving licence and access to a car for placement?
We strongly recommend that you do have a driving licence and access to a car for your placements. Nearly all of our placement providers require students to drive.
When do placements start?
The 70-day placement in the first year usually begins in January. The 100-day placement in the second year usually begins in November of the second year. However, there can be some variation in when placements start depending on specific circumstances.
When does the course start?
Induction/Welcome week is generally the last week in September with teaching starting the following week.
Is there somewhere for me to get support if I have a learning difference such as Dyslexia?
Yes! There is plenty of help available and students may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, stating any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?
Yes! The Student Union will provide lots of information about the sporting clubs, activities and events available for all students at UoB. For more information visit bedssu.co.uk
ESSENTIAL LINKS
Simulation suite beds.ac.uk/simulation
Learning Difference support information beds.ac.uk/student-support/disabilities2
Seeing our students grow, thrive and develop through to graduation is one of the joys of our job. Hearing of their success in practice once they have qualified and are employed is the icing on the cake.
The University of Bedfordshire Social Work Team are passionate about Social Work and believe that Social Workers make a huge difference to the lives of the people they support, as well as to society as a whole. Every year we are proud to see our newly qualified Social Work students from across the various courses graduate and enter the profession.
We now look forward to joining you on your journey!
Lectures provide a safe place to learn and we are encouraged to express our opinions. We are well supported by the teaching team and are well prepared to enter the profession. I feel understood and I can develop at my own pace.
The Placement and University pattern provides a good balance for learning.
Tutors are accessible and supportive. All staff very helpful and responded quickly.
I was matched with an excellent placement that really supported my learning needs – really boosted my confidence for the final placement and work in general.
I felt supported throughout the course and would like to say a huge thank you to all parties for making this journey a success!
Social work is an opportunity to walk with people through the darkest times in their lives, and support them to make purposeful change. Nothing beats that!
Because when things can sometimes feel so unjust, you can be a force for good. Social workers work with some of the most vulnerable people in society, challenging racism, disablism and other forms of oppression and discrimination.
Because you learn so much about yourself. Social workers need to practise reflectively, and you will learn to deeply analyse your assumptions and your practice.
Because social work is all about people. It is an exciting and varied role in which you have the privilege of working with adults and children in their homes and other settings so you can try to understand the world through their eyes.
Because in social work you draw from a broad knowledge base. The theories that underpin social work come from diverse subjects such as sociology, psychology, social policy, organisational behaviour theory, law and education.