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Study for a social work degree whilst also gaining invaluable 'on the job' experience. Choose from two level 6 pathways depending on your prior learning. Graduate with a set of highly valuable and transferable skills to help you improve the lives of society's most vulnerable people.
The Social Work (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) allows you to choose from two level 6 pathways depending on your prior experience and learning:
Social workers improve the lives of a huge range of people. This apprenticeship combines an academic degree qualification with eligibility to apply for registration as a qualified social worker with Social Work England on successful completion of your course.
A degree apprenticeship enables you to study for a degree, whilst also gaining invaluable 'on the job' experience with the support of your employer and designated mentor. We'll support you to make links between the taught content of the course, independent study, and the application of your developing knowledge, skills, and behaviours in the workplace. During your apprenticeship you'll be:
Each year of the course starts with a block of university-based teaching, followed by attendance at university one day per fortnight, with one day of independent study in the alternating weeks. The taught sessions are generally workshop style and also include small group work, computer-based learning, and presentations.
You'll also complete two assessed practice placements – a 70-day placement in year 2 and a 100-day placement in year 3 – during which you'll have the opportunity to gain specific experience so that you can demonstrate the appropriate knowledge and skills.
Each year of the course starts with a block of university-based teaching, followed by attendance at the university or independent study one day per week (often alternating on-campus attendance and study). The taught sessions are generally workshop style and also include small group work, computer-based learning, and presentations.
You'll also complete two assessed practice placements – a 70-day placement in year 1 and a 100-day placement in year 2 – during which you'll have the opportunity to gain specific experience so that you can demonstrate the appropriate knowledge and skills.
For both the BA and PgDip routes, you'll complete at least an additional 30 days of skills development both on the job (recorded as part of the 10-12 week progress review) and within the University (for example, in communication skills sessions).
Your progress will be assessed with group projects/presentations, written assignments, portfolios, and exams. Throughout the degree, you'll have one-to-one support from academic staff, as well as regular meetings with your tutor and workplace mentor to review your progress.
Sheryl Johnson was put forward for the Integrated Degree Apprenticeship in Social Work by her manager. Despite juggling her full-time job and studying with gruelling hospital treatment, she graduated with a First Class Honours degree, and is now enrolled onto the MSc Inequality and Society.
Read more about Sheryl's journey
Are you considering becoming a social worker but want to find out more about what this career involves? Here, we explore everything you need to know, including the roles and responsibilities of a social worker, the skills and qualifications you'll need, and more about our Social Work courses.
Read more about social work
If you choose a degree in Social Science, you could be presented with a wide variety of job opportunities when you graduate. We've compiled a list of seven potential jobs you could go into with a Social Science degree to give you some inspiration.
Read more about careers with a Social Science degree
We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.
To apply for a place on the Social Work Apprenticeship, you must firstly be supported by your employer. All social work apprentices must be working in a setting where they have:
You must also have previous experience (voluntary or paid) in a social care setting. This can include placements which you've undertaken as part of a college course, but we do expect more experience than this. Experience could include volunteering during weekends, evenings, or holidays. We may also consider any personal experience you might have. You should clearly describe this experience in the personal statement section of your application and show how this relates to a career in social work.
If English isn't your first language, you'll also need International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 7.0 in all components.
Applicants must meet our minimum academic standards which are:
You'll need to complete a University standard application form, requiring details of qualifications, employment history, personal statement, and two references. One reference must be from your current employer.
In addition, all applicants must complete a Professional Suitability Self-Declaration form giving details of any previous criminal convictions or cautions, disciplinary issues and any investigations by Local Authority Children’s or Adult Services. The University completes a funding eligibility check at this stage.
Applicants must meet our minimum academic standards which are:
For both pathways, applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to a selection day which includes a written test, group exercise, and individual interview.
Larger organisations can use their apprenticeship levy and government top-up to pay tuition and professional fees of higher apprenticeships. For smaller employers, the government pays 95%, with the remainder co-invested by the business.
For a discussion around your specific requirements please call 0191 515 3361 or email apprenticeships@sunderland.ac.uk
This information was correct at the time of publication.
Social work is a broad discipline. You could work with older people, young offenders, foster carers, young people in care, people with learning or physical disabilities, people with mental health problems, people with drug dependencies, children at risk of abuse, individuals at risk of harm to themselves or others, or any other group of people with specialist needs.
Social workers work in a variety of organisations including local authorities, NHS Trusts, residential care, schools, the voluntary sector, and the private sector. Find out more about what a social worker does.
If you decide to move into a different field of employment in the future, you’ll have gained valuable and transferable skills in writing, verbal communication, teamwork, risk management, critical analysis, and decision-making, demonstrating you’re resourceful and creative in problem-solving.
If you're taking the PgDip Social Work (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship), you'll spend a total of 170 days on work placements – a 70-day placement in year 1 and a 100-day placement in year 2. You'll also complete at least an additional 30 days of skills development both on the job (recorded as part of the 10-12 week progress review) and within the University (for example, in communication skills sessions).
Service users, carers, and social work practitioners are involved in the development and delivery of teaching on the course, which ensures you're receiving teaching that's reflective of the climate you'll be working in. Guest speakers from practice, individuals with lived experience, and service user and carer organisations are involved in delivery across the course, such as through communication skills teaching and perspectives sessions.