Intro

This intensive programme is for graduates from any discipline wishing to train and qualify as social workers.

Through a combination of academic and professional modules, you will focus on both the social science knowledge base of social work, and on developing your practice-relevant knowledge, skills and values through 200 days of practical learning.

Taught by qualified social workers with a range of practice specialisms and research interests, this course offers exciting opportunities to learn alongside students from related professional disciplines including occupational therapy, teaching, nursing and medicine, mirroring the interprofessional nature of social work practice.

Users of social work services, carers and experienced practitioners are also actively involved in the course and the delivery of teaching sessions. 

The postgraduate diploma (PGDip) can be taken as an alternative and shorter route to obtaining a postgraduate social work qualification with students learning alongside MSc students in all except the dissertation module. It is also available as an early exit award to those registered on the MSc who opt not to take the dissertation module but meet all other requirements of the PGDip.

The MSc and PGDip are both approved by Social Work England, the regulatory body for Social Workers in England. All students will need to demonstrate Social Work England's Professional Standards within their practice, alongside the expectations specified by the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) held by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code L508 for the MSc, apply via UCAS

Apply direct to the university for the PGDip via the 'apply online' link below

Full-time 2 years MSc / 18–21 months PGDip

Approved by Social Work England

international applications closed

Our Social Work MSc and PGDip courses have a limited number of international places and are now closed to international applicants for 2022.

Find out about postgraduate events

Apply now with UCAS for 2022

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

The course consists of university-based teaching and 200 days of practice learning. In the first term, you’ll be introduced to foundational social work knowledge. This reflects the programme's focus on concepts from critical theory, systemic thinking and relationship-based practice – key components that facilitate development, enabling you to work effectively with service users and carers, whether it be through providing support, advocacy or protection.

The 200 practice learning days are comprised of:

  • 30 developing skills for practice days delivered within the university
  • a 70-day placement in year 1
  • a 100-day placement in year 2. 

The final placement predominantly takes place within a local authority setting or an organisation that fulfils statutory functions. 

During each placement, learning is supported by periods of study at the university and small group tutorials, as well as directed and independent study. 

Throughout the course, there are also opportunities to work as part of a larger, interprofessional, group.  In the past, this has included working with students from other vocational courses, such as medicine, occupational therapy and education.

Social Work

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
  • Critical Social Work in Practice and Research
  • Contemporary Social Work Practice
  • Practice Learning 2

MSc only

  • Research in Social Work: Dissertation

Meet the team

Ian Dore, course leader
I am a registered Social Worker and qualified Practice Educator with experience of children and families social work, having previously worked for Brighton and Hove City Council. I joined the school as a part-time lecturer in 2011 and took up a full-time position in 2013 – I gained Fellowship status of what is now Advance HE in 2014. Before completing my social work training I worked in the NHS as a Research Assistant in Sexual Health and as a Service Development Officer in Intermediate Care.

Given that my experiences of being a Practice Educator and my enthusiasm for children and families work led me into teaching, these practice experiences continue to influence my interest and approach to both teaching and research.

In my teaching, I like to draw on conceptual ideas from three main areas - critical theory, systemic thinking and relationship-based practice. I feel that the combination of these fits well with social work as a largely applied subject and that they offer a level of challenge and depth that enables student development in a way which provokes reflection and curiosity.

Other members of the teaching team:

Ian Dore

How this course is delivered

How will my course be taught?
For the academic year that starts in September 2022 we’re planning for all students to be taught face-to-face on campus, enhanced by some online learning.

Students who started their course with us in 2021 are on campus for some face-to-face learning including tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes and studio sessions. They are also taking part in off-campus learning activities such as placements, field trips and study visits. And all of our campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more are open.

Like all universities we are following government guidance and we are monitoring the pandemic very closely. Should Public Health advise it we have robust plans in place for additional safety measures to be introduced to enable everyone to continue learning on campus, and, as a last resort, for students to continue their learning remotely.

We will update you regularly on our teaching plans for the next academic year as you progress your application with us.

When does my course start?
The 2022 academic year begins on Monday 26 September 2022. Teaching for most courses starts the following week.

Many education courses, some health science courses including Medicine, and some postgraduate business courses have an earlier start date. Check your offer letter for the start date of your course.

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International Scholarships of £2,500

We are offering undergraduate and postgraduate international scholarships of £2,500 for courses starting in the 2020/21 academic year.

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Careers

Social work is a rewarding career for those committed to improving the life opportunities and wellbeing of others, whilst promoting rights and social justice.

Registered social workers generally have little trouble finding employment. There are many relevant vacancies advertised locally and nationally, and there continues to be a demand for social workers both in established posts and with agencies who provide temporary staff to statutory organisations.  

Social workers can specialise in many different areas, including working with children, youth offending, family centres, older people, disabled people, mental health services, homeless people, asylum seekers and refugees, and substance misuse.

Social science student

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Applications for the MSc are made through UCAS. Applications for the PGDip can be made direct to the university on the link provided at the top of this page. 

Degree and experience

  • An honours degree in any subject, normally with a minimum of upper second class honours.
  • A satisfactory academic reference and/or transcript, indicating ability to study at level 7.
  • Understanding of, and preparedness for, social care and social work practice.
  • Experience of providing social or caring services from paid or voluntary work.

Applications from candidates who do not fulfil the admissions criteria of a second class honours degree may be considered exceptionally in the shortlisting process in light of the content of their application as a whole. Should this occur, they must provide a transcript of their marks/grades on their first degree and submit written work as requested by the admissions tutor.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
Maths and English language, or recognised and certified equivalences. Functional Skills, level 2 in English and maths, are acceptable.

If you do not have the required GCSEs find out which equivalent qualifications we accept instead.

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, no element below 6.5.

Other
To fulfil professional requirements, you must provide full educational, employment and study history on the application form (including details of any disciplinary record).

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview.

They will also need to confirm before their interview or offer that they can use basic IT facilities (eg word processing software, internet browsers and email) and will be asked to specify how these skills have been obtained.

Social Work England regulate both the profession and the courses through which it is taught, and you are therefore required to conduct yourself in line with their guidance on conduct and ethics.

Applicants for the PGDip with sufficient experience and who are working in a relevant role which enables them to provide evidence that meets the first placement assessment criteria may be able submit that evidence in place of undertaking the first placement. 

If we make you an offer
Once you've accepted your offer, to fulfil professional requirements, you will be expected to provide evidence of the following:

  • satisfactory DBS disclosure
  • satisfactory health declaration/clearance.

Fees

Course fees

MSc
UK (full-time)7,866 GBP

International (full-time)13,842 GBP


PGDip
UK (full-time)5,244 GBP

International (full-time)9,228 GBP 

Fees listed here are for the first year only. Further tuition fees are payable for each year of study. See the Info tab for more details.

Social work bursary information

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

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.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Humanities and Social Science in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • For some assessments you may be required to print large format posters for presentations at a cost of £5–£10 per poster.
  • Most coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget up to £100 for printing.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.
  • Some courses include an optional placement module for which students will need to cover the costs of travel to and from the placement and DBS checks as required.
  • For the Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDip and Psychotherapeutic Psychodynamic Counselling PGDip, the following course-related costs are not included in the tuition fee:
    • Supervision fees: £1,170 for each full year. Estimated based on £45 per hour with fortnightly meetings. In some agencies, supervision will be provided at no cost. Where students have to pay, the cost will only begin when supervision begins.
    • Personal counselling/therapy: £2,000–£2,800 over the course. Estimated based on £40 per hour.
  • For a number of courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits. These are optional and are not required to pass your course but under normal circumstances we would expect a budget of approximately £150 per year will cover the costs of particular trips. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

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 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.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. 7,000 students are based here taking subjects including criminology, English, education, nursing and medicine, paramedic science, psychology and sociology. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. Psychology students learn in our applied cognition and flexible creative method labs.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre and there is a BTN BikeShare hub on site. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Falmer campus is linked to the halls on Falmer campus and at Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on Falmer campus and offer a range of rooms
    • Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private renting. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Falmer campus

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Students talking in a social area

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Cricket Academy

New for September 2023, our Cricket Academy offers aspiring players the opportunity to continue their cricket development alongside studying for a degree. The programme offers a world-class training environment with the highest quality coaching.

Find out more about the Cricket Academy.

Students playing frisbee

Student views  

Ben Wallace

"This is an excellent course. The link between learning at university and practice on placement has been great.

"Learning about reflection and using it in practice, and receiving information from service users on how to improve my practice will all be useful to me in the future. It has also been good interacting with other students such as medical students.

"I am hoping to move into mental health social work after completing the course."

Photo of Ben Wallace

Leah McComb

"For me the best aspect of the course has been making strong relationships with both the course leaders and the other students. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful.

"The experience of the social work placements has been invaluable. I have learned so many transferable skills and developed my skills in building relationships.

"When I complete the course I would like to be a social worker in the third sector. Maybe working with people with no recourse to public funds, young people with complex needs, or survivors of domestic abuse or trafficking."

Photo of Leah McComb

James Magraw

"I love the course. The best aspect is having a great balance between teaching and learning on placement.

"I have been given a great variety of learning opportunities which has allowed me to explore various avenues within social work.

"I have been accepted on an assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) in the team I spent my final placement with when I finish the course. I would love to progress within this team in hospital social work."

photo of James Magraw

Saffron Wilkinson

"I am very much enjoying the course. It's been interesting and challenging in a good way.

"I feel that I have built a solid foundation to my practice.

"For me the best aspect has been learning about privilege and anti-oppressive practice."

photo of Saffron Wilkinson

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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