Social Work MSc (PGDip)

Course structure

In line with the guidance of the former College of Social Work, students undertake 200 days of practical learning across the course. This involves 30 days of developing practice skills within the university, a 70-day placement in year 1 and a 100-day placement in year 2.

Learning in practice is supported by periods of study at the university, directed study (with a range of learning materials) and small-group practice tutorials. The course reflects the interprofessional nature of social work, with opportunities for shared learning experiences with education, nursing, medical and occupational therapy students.

Areas of study

Year 1 introduces core skills, theories and approaches for social work practice in its interprofessional context and fosters a critical understanding of key law, policy and human growth across the lifespan.

Year 2 focuses on more complex and accountable practice together with the development of more specialised skills and knowledge. There is also a focus on research in social work and the critical use of evidence to underpin own practice.

It is possible to take the PGDip as a stand alone qualification in 18–21 months, or as an early exit award for those registered on the MSc who choose not to take the dissertation module but who meet all other PGDip requirements. 

Modules

MSc and PGDip

• Lifespan Development: Social and Psychological Contexts
• Legal and Policy Contexts of Decision-Making in Social Work
• Practice Learning 1
• Decision-making in Assessment, Risk and Protection
• Contemporary Social Work Practice
• Practice Learning 2

MSc only

• Research in Social Work: The Dissertation

Course fees

Social work bursary information

Universities in England have been advised about NHS Social Work bursary allocations for students enrolling on their course in the 2018–19 academic year.

In 2016 and 2017, most students accepted onto this course who met the eligibility criteria (for example, residence) were nominated for and received a bursary. We do use a prioritisation process based upon that set out within national guidance for our bursary nominations. This means that we will prioritise applicants based upon their prior educational achievement and interview performance, taking other factors into account where appropriate and particularly in the event of a tie-break situation. Those holding offered for places on the course receive additional information about this.

For 2018-19 entrants, we expect the situation to be as last year and expect that most students to whom we make an offer on the basis of their strong prior academic experience and other achievements as well as their interview performance will be nominated for one of these bursaries. Those we cannot nominate but who are otherwise eligible,  we will include on the reserve list and these students may also receive travel support monies from the NHS as per the detailed information on the web page provided below.

The  NHS Business Service Authority administers social work bursaries, for further information and to check your eligibility visit their webpage.  

Applications for the current academic year are now open and we encourage all to apply even if we are unable to include you in our initial nomination list.

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus