Professional Social Work Practice PgDip

This innovative Postgraduate Diploma blends practical experience with academic study, leading to a nationally recognised professional qualification in social work. Commissioned by two regional employer partnerships, it provides high-quality, work-based education and training for aspiring social workers, with placements in a local authority. The course is funded by the Department for Education; students receive a bursary and are fully supported by a local authority children’s services department. To apply, you need at least six months’ experience (work or volunteering) with children, young people or families.<br/><br/>**Course accreditation**<br/>Our Social Work courses are accredited by Social Work England. Once you have completed this course, you will be a qualified social worker and can apply to Social Work England for your professional registration.<br/><br/>**Facilities and specialist equipment**<br/>- Gain access to the Faculty’s range of simulation units and the Moot Court for practising real-world scenarios you may encounter<br/><br/><br/>- Laptops and mobile phones (where applicable) are provided by your local authority for use while on placement<br/><br/><br/>**Industry links**<br/>Two Step Up regional partnerships: South East (Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire) and the Central Eastern (Hertfordshire, Luton and Bedford).<br/><br/>**Your student experience**<br/>- Our social sciences courses rank 7th overall in their subject field in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024; they rank in 1st place for assessment, with top 10 rankings for teaching, engagement and learning community.<br/><br/><br/>- Benefit from intensive, hands-on experience of working in a social work role through placements in a local authority.<br/><br/><br/>- Earn as you learn with a tax-free bursary and payment of University fees for successful applicants.<br/><br/><br/>- Study the social power structures that create inequalities alongside the tools and techniques you can use to counter them.<br/><br/><br/>- Build the transferable skills of initiative, resourcefulness, critical reflection and emotional literacy.<br/><br/><br/>- On successful completion, you are guaranteed an interview for a social worker role.<br/><br/><br/>- After you complete the course, there is also the option to top up your PgDip to a Masters, while working as a qualified social worker, by completing an optional dissertation unit. In some circumstances, your local authority may pay your university fees for this unit.<br/>