How to Become a Registered Social Worker? An Introduction to British Universities Offering Social Work Degrees

Social workers serve as mediators in the community, addressing various life challenges. For students aiming to join the social welfare field, how does one become a registered social worker? There are many paths to Rome, and besides studying social work courses in Hong Kong, British university programs are worth considering, especially those in social work that are highly recognized. Graduates can also apply to become registered social workers in Hong Kong upon returning. Cyclopes will introduce the benefits, recognition, and universities offering social work courses in the UK to provide deeper insights for students interested in the social welfare sector.

Different professions in the social welfare field target various societal needs, where counselors and social workers are often equated. However, despite overlapping duties, their service nature and approaches differ significantly. Before delving into UK social work programs, let's clarify the distinctions between social workers and counselors to help students choose the right university courses.

Social workers and counselors serve vulnerable groups, troubled youth, special families, and the elderly. Social workers focus on individual counseling, analyzing potential life issues of clients and assisting with their 'group development' needs, such as emotional, affectionate attachment, moral behavior, interpersonal relationships, etc. Counselors lean towards psychological theories in guidance and observation, helping clients relieve psychological stress through consultation and therapy, thereby improving their mental health and quality of life. In essence, social workers resolve clients' practical needs, whereas counselors aim to alleviate psychological stress.

Source: Freepik

Students and parents might wonder, "With adequate degree programs at PolyU, HKBU, Shue Yan, HKU, etc., and local social work content focusing on local welfare policies, what's the appeal of UK university social work programs?"

Tolstoy said in "Anna Karenina," "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." The social issues and topics are diverse, requiring social workers to possess academic skills, a passion for helping others, and accumulate internship experiences to broaden perspectives and enhance counseling skills, providing comprehensive services to clients.

Hong Kong's university social work curricula cover core areas like social welfare and policy, social work theory and practice, human behavior and social environment, law, sociology, and psychology. However, the issues tackled by Hong Kong's social workers tend to focus on family ethics, social order, with lesser attention on environmental, religious, human rights topics. Studying abroad enriches experiences, allowing future social workers to think from various angles, adapting practices from other countries to assist Hong Kong's grassroots, building an inclusive society and stabilizing social order.

Source: Freepik

Many students worry whether social work courses studied in UK universities will be recognized by Hong Kong's Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) and are unclear about how to become registered social workers in Hong Kong post-graduation. Each UK region has different official social work registration bodies. According to SWRB's guidelines, currently, the following institutions are recognized:

https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/education-training/search-approved-courses/?providerName=&studyLevel=Undergraduate®ion=&mode=Full+time

According to the "Complete University Guide 2023" rankings for social work, top institutions includeLancaster University, Queen's University Belfast, University of York,The University of Edinburgh, andUniversity of Bath. These universities offer both Bachelor's and Master's courses in social work, suitable for registered social workers seeking further education, providing more opportunities even for those planning to immigrate or work abroad.

https://www.cyclopeseducation.com/blog/106/introduction-to-lancaster-university

https://www.cyclopeseducation.com/blog/41/is-the-university-of-edinburgh-a-good-choice-a-comprehensive-overview-of-the-university-of-edinburghs-ranking-tuition-fees-and-reviews

https://www.cyclopeseducation.com/blog/124/university-of-bath

Source: Lancaster University

Learning social work in the UK strengthens students' understanding of social work theories and beliefs, offering better career prospects. If planning to study social work at British universities but worried about adapting to the UK's lifestyle and education system, feel free to contact Cyclopes' professional consultancy team to share your concerns and learn more about studying in the UK.