Social Work with Foundation Year, BA

​​Welcome Week is an important part of the Foundation Year. It is your chance to settle in, meet staff and fellow students, and feel confident about the year ahead. My name is Dr Las Aiyathurai, and I am the Course Director for the Foundation Year.

I have spent 15 years working as a doctor across hospital and primary care settings, and I understand how important strong support and clear guidance are, especially when starting something new.

I care deeply about teaching, and for the past seven years I’ve worked to bridge the gap for learners, helping them feel supported, capable, and ready to succeed at university.

Along with the wider Foundation Year team, I am really looking forward to meeting you. You will also have opportunities to meet your course colleagues at your respective campuses, explore the Students’ Union and library and support services, and get to know the teaching teams who will support you throughout the year.

During this time, you will be introduced to your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will be there to offer ongoing guidance and support.

​​Semester 1 is designed to help you settle into university, build your confidence, and develop the skills you’ll use throughout the year. You will study two core modules: The Big Picture and Skills and Knowledge 1.

​Your Semester 1 modules

​The Big Picture
The Big Picture helps you find your place in university and the wider world. Through lectures, seminars, and guided online learning, you’ll explore how university learning differs from school and workplace training. You’ll also look at how your subject connects with other disciplines and real-world issues — from sustainable futures to AI. The aim is to develop disciplined curiosity and grow your confidence across university disciplines.

​Skills and Knowledge 1
Skills and Knowledge 1 is your gateway to thriving in higher education, with a strong focus on wellbeing so you can do well in your studies. The module introduces university life and supports the development of essential personal and academic skills. You’ll explore the broader factors that affect health and wellbeing, including the social and environmental influences on everyone’s health. It also covers learning theory, information literacy, written communication, and digital skills, while familiarising you with key higher education terminology and processes — helping you feel equipped both academically and personally.

​Interprofessional learning (learning alongside other courses)

​ The Foundation Year is co-taught as part of an interprofessional programme. This means you will learn alongside students working towards a range of health and social care degrees. It’s a valuable part of the course because it helps you understand different roles, develop shared skills, and learn how professionals work together. You may be learning alongside students studying:

• ​Adult Nursing

• ​Child Nursing

• ​Diagnostic Radiography

• ​Mental Health Nursing

• ​Occupational Therapy

• ​Paramedic Science

• ​Physiotherapy

• ​Public Health

• ​Social Work

​What teaching will look like

​Teaching is designed to be mainly in person and will include:

• ​Core lectures to introduce key topics and ideas

• ​Seminars and workshops (with more time spent here) where you’ll take part in activities, and apply your learning in a supportive setting

​Blackboard Ultra (your online learning space)

​Alongside on-campus teaching, you will use Blackboard Ultra as your main online learning environment. It will be where you find:

• ​ lecture slides and learning resources

• ​ announcements and key updates

• ​ links to support and any guided online learning

• ​ submission points and feedback

​What the first few weeks will look like

​In the first few weeks, teaching will follow a steady routine to help you settle in. Your timetable will include two teaching days each week, with a blend of lectures and longer seminar/workshop sessions. Early teaching is designed to help you understand what’s expected, build strong study habits, and feel confident using university systems and support.

​Learning Skills Hub (recommended early support)

​To support your learning, we strongly recommend using the Learning Skills Hub — especially in the first few weeks. It includes practical resources on reading and note‑taking, digital skills, and managing your time.

​Learning Skills Hub (Study Skills):
https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/learning-skills-hub/study-skills

​You belong here, and you won’t be doing this on your own. The Foundation Year team are looking forward to welcoming you and supporting you throughout the year.

​​If you are keen to get started reading a textbook, we recommend the following:

• ​ Cottrell, S. (2019) The Study Skills Handbook. 5th Ed. New York: Palgrave.

• ​ Hughes, G. (2020) Be well, learn well: improve your wellbeing and academic performance. Macmillan International: Red Globe Press

​Study Skills books are a good general introduction to preparing to study in Higher Education.

​However, please note whilst these are recommended reading on your course you are not required to buy these books in advance of your studies, we have copies available in our libraries and these books are also available as e-books so that you can access them online when off campus once you commence your studies.

​A full reading list, including recommended textbooks will be available when you start your course.