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).
Accreditation
Our Social Work MSc (PGDip) is approved by
Successful completion of this degree course can lead to registration with Social Work England, enabling you to apply for social work jobs and practice as a registered Social Worker. As a generic social work qualification, you can apply to work in any area of social work practice – subject to any specific employer requirements.
This qualification may enable you to register and work as a Social Worker in countries other than England. If you are intending to do this, you should first check with the regulatory body in that particular country to see if this qualification enables this.
Graduate destinations
As a social worker you’ll work with people to find ways to enhance their wellbeing through problem-solving issues of support, advocating for change and taking steps to minimise harm.
This may involve helping to protect people from harm, abuse or neglect, or supporting people to live independently. Social work is a challenging yet rewarding profession and the majority of graduates find this career choice fulfilling and virtually all say it is meaningful (
After graduation and successful registration with Social Work England, you can specialise in many different areas. Social Workers are employed across many different areas, enabling you to work with both children and adults in a variety of services, such as: children in need and child protection, adults in additional needs and in need of protection, youth offending, mental health, substance misuse, homeless support, asylum seekers and refugees and specialist disability and enablement support.
comparative data for postgraduate programmes is not available.
29 September 2025
Moulsecoomb Campus
Lewes Road,
Brighton,
Brighton and Hove,
BN2 4GA, England
29 September 2025
Moulsecoomb Campus
Lewes Road,
Brighton,
Brighton and Hove,
BN2 4GA, England
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.