Applied Social Work with Foundation Year
Social work is a profession dedicated to supporting individuals, families and communities facing some of the most difficult circumstances that life can produce: poverty, abuse, addiction, mental health crisis, family breakdown, and the needs of children, older people and disabled adults. Social workers assess need, coordinate support, advocate for those they work with, and intervene to protect people at risk. It is a demanding profession that requires both practical skill and a deep understanding of the social, psychological and legal contexts in which people's difficulties arise.
At the University of Derby, this four-year full-time programme with a foundation year prepares you for professional registration as a qualified social worker. The foundation year provides additional academic preparation for students who need it before engaging with the full social work degree curriculum. You will study social work theory and methods, human development, sociology, psychology, law for social work, and the ethical and political dimensions of the profession.
Crucially, a very significant proportion of the programme is delivered in supervised practice placements across a range of settings, including children's services, adult social care, mental health services, community organisations and voluntary sector agencies. These placements are where you develop the direct practice skills and professional judgment that registration requires.
Qualified social workers in England must register with Social Work England, and this degree provides the qualifying academic and practice foundation for that registration. Graduates work across children's services, adult social care, mental health, substance misuse, family support, looked-after children, and a wide range of voluntary and community organisations. Many social workers develop specialisms and progress into team leadership, management, practice education, and policy roles.
Postgraduate study is available for those who wish to deepen their expertise or move into advanced practice and research.