Professional Social Work Practice (Taught)

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.

Course accreditation
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.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Gain access to the Faculty’s range of simulation units and the Moot Court for practising real-world scenarios you may encounter

• Laptops and mobile phones (where applicable) are provided by your local authority for use while on placement

Industry links
Two Step Up regional partnerships: South East (Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire) and the Central Eastern (Hertfordshire, Luton and Bedford).

Your student experience

• 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.

• Benefit from intensive, hands-on experience of working in a social work role through placements in a local authority.

• Earn as you learn with a tax-free bursary and payment of University fees for successful applicants.

• Study the social power structures that create inequalities alongside the tools and techniques you can use to counter them.

• Build the transferable skills of initiative, resourcefulness, critical reflection and emotional literacy.

• On successful completion, you are guaranteed an interview for a social worker role.

• After you complete the course, there is also the option to 'top up' your PgDip to a Master's, 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.

Please refer to our website for details on the course modules:
https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/professional-social-work-practice