Social Work MSc (PGDip)

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.

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

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

Course fees

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

In 2018 and 2019, most students accepted onto this course who met the eligibility criteria (for example, residence) were nominated for and received a bursary.

Please be aware that we use a prioritisation process based on information 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.

For 2020–21 entrants, we would expect the situation to be as last year and envisage that most students who are offered a place on our programme will be nominated for an NHS Social Work Bursary, where they are available (dependent upon their prior academic attainment and performance at interview). Those we cannot nominate, but who are otherwise eligible, will be included on a reserve list: 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. Check your eligibility and find out when their applications process opens for the new academic year on their website.

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 2020–21.

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.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps