The Complete Guide to Studying for your Social Work Degree

A one-stop guide for social work students that offers extensive study support and skills development.

In this comprehensive guide, we cover four key areas all tailored specifically for social work:

• Studying for your Social Work Degree
• Academic Writing and Referencing
• Communication Skills, and
• Critical Thinking Skills. 

The compendium includes up to date coverage of all the relevant study skills required to succeed in a social work degree - including:

• the structure and culture of a social work degree,
• adopting a reflective and critical approach, and
• how to find your academic 'voice'.

This book is also packed with tasks and numerous examples to aid student understanding, so learners can feel confident that they are fully equipped with all they need to maximise their potential.

Introduction

Studying for your Social Work Degree

1. Studying social work in higher education
2. Strategies for effective learning
3. Critical thinking
4. Becoming a member of your academic community
5. Technology and resources
6. Strategies for assessment 

Academic writing and referencing for your social work degree

1. Academic writing: text, process and criticality
2. Coherent texts and arguments
3. Referring to sources
4. Language in use
5. Preparing your work for submission

Communication skills for your social work degree

1. Academic presentations and public speaking
2. Participating in seminars and meetings
3. Getting the most from tutorials
4. Practical speaking skills
5. Practical writing skills
6. Networking

Critical Thinking Skills for your Social Work Degree

1. Foundations of critical thinking
2. Reflective practice and critical thinking
3. Critical reading
4. Critical writing

Patricia Cartney is Head of Social Work at the University of Manchester, where she oversees all the pre-and post-qualifying social work programmes. She is the Programme Director for the MA in Social Work. Patricia has many years of experience as a social work practitioner and over 20 years as an educator of social work students. She is passionate about helping students become skilled, compassionate and effective social workers who make a difference. 

Jane Bottomley is a lecturer in English for Academic Purposes at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and previously worked in the same capacity at the University of Manchester. Jane has considerable experience teaching academic writing and has worked with undergraduates, postgraduates and university staff to help them develop their understanding and practice in their discourse communities. 

You can visit her website at: https://janebottomley.co.uk/

Steven Pryjmachuk is Professor of Mental Health Nursing Education in the School of Health Science's Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at the University of Manchester and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His teaching, clinical and research work has centred largely on supporting and facilitating individuals – be they students, patients or colleagues – to develop, learn or care independently.