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Social Work MSc (PGDip)

  • Intro
  • Course
    content
  • Careers
  • Entry
    criteria
  • Fees
  • Location
  • Stay in
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  • Related

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

Join an online event

Apply now with UCAS

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

How this course is delivered

We've made some changes to the way our courses are taught to keep everyone safe, connected and involved in university life.

At the moment, students have a blend of on-campus and digitally enabled remote learning that provides lots of opportunities to interact and engage with lecturers and other students.

Find out what these changes mean for this course

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 of Applied Social Science 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:

  • Jackie Lelkes
  • Ann-Marie Mullin
  • Lucy Basterra
  • Cath Holmstrom
  • Emma Inch
  • David Watson
  • Paul Teverson
  • Jem Price
  • Sarah Wilkins
Ian Dore

Our latest news

Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDips online event

Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDips online event

Thursday 3 December 2020 2pm to 4pm Join us for our online Q&A event where you can learn about our Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDips: Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy PGDip Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy PGDip During the event you will be able to watch live presentations on each course as well as chat to staff.

International Scholarships of £2,500

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.

Progress your career with a postgraduate degree

Progress your career with a postgraduate degree

Postgraduate study develops your skills, supports your career progression and allows for rich personal development.

Call for Papers: Southern Perspectives upon Policing, Security and Social Order: Seminar and roundtable

Call for Papers: Southern Perspectives upon Policing, Security and Social Order: Seminar and roundtable

Call for Papers: Southern Perspectives upon Policing, Security and Social Order: Seminar and roundtable 27th June 2019, University of Brighton, Falmer Campus Critical scholarship from Southern and Post-Colonial criminology has posed new challenges to dominant criminological thinking about law and ‘order’, policing (by ‘consent’ or otherwise), community, accountability and the state.

Read more from our blog

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.

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.

The HCPC 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.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

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)7,704 GBP

International (full-time)To be confirmed GBP


PGDip
UK (full-time)5,136 GBP

International (full-time)To be confirmed 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 Applied Social Science 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 £100 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.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further 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 2021–22.

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

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

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.

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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.

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, but if you prefer you can add in a food and drink plan.
    • 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, and there's a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.

Unihomes and unilets
Unihomes and unilets are student houses that we let to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option can work particularly well when you're balancing learning with placements and other commitments. We have unihomes and unilet properties across the city.

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. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. 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

Maps

Falmer campus

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

Join an online event

Ask a question about this course

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

01273 644644

Related 3 courses

  • Professional Social Work Practice MSc

    Professional Social Work Practice MSc

  • Professional Social Work Practice and Management MSc

    Professional Social Work Practice and Management MSc

  • Approved Mental Health Practice PGDip

    Approved Mental Health Practice PGDip

‹ ›

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