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MSc/PgDip
Social Work*

Location
Southwark

Duration
2 years (full-time)

Start date
September

Number of places
40

How to apply
UCAS

UCAS code
L508

LSBU code
3054

Course contact
Tom Wilks
wilkstm@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 6731

Non-standard entry requirements

In line with the General Social Care Council (GSCC) accreditation requirements, any offer of a place is conditional on a clear police check and self-certification of medical fitness to practice. Applicants (aged at least 21 on application) will be required to present evidence of social work knowledge and social care, including a minimum of 1 year’s full-time or equivalent part-time (e.g. 15 hours a week over 2 years in voluntary work) experience in some aspect of social work or social care. At least some of this experience needs to be in the UK. Selection is by written essay and individual interviews.

A honours degree in any subject (at least 2:2) is required, as well as GSCE passes in English and Maths (at grade C or above) or the equivalent.

Course Units

Year 1

– Preparation for Practice

– Social Work Methods and Communication Skills

– Critical Perspectives on Human Growth and Development

– Research Methodology and Strategy

– Practice Learning Placement 1

– Law

Year 2

– Critical Perspectives in Social Welfare

– Partnership and Participation: Ethical Dilemmas in Practice

– Professional Practice

– Practice Learning Placement 2

MSc/PgDip

Students who wish to undertake the Masters must submit in June of Year 2 an original research dissertation. Alternatively, a student may pursue a PgDip route that does not require them to complete a dissertation

*Subject to revalidation


Course description

This is both an academic and a professional qualification, with all those receiving the degree being registered as professional social workers by the GSCC. The programme aims to produce reflective social work practitioners who are ‘fit for practice’ in the rapidly changing and developing world of social care. Practice-based learning complements university-based lectures, seminars and workshops throughout. We draw on established, contemporary and innovative approaches to work with a diverse range of service users.

There are five core areas of knowledge and understanding relevant to social work:

– Social work services and the needs of service users

– The service delivery context

– Values and ethics

– Social work theory

– The nature of social work practice.

These areas are systematically explored over the two years of the course in relation to the key roles of social work, which include:

– Assessment

– Intervention

– Support

– Managing risk

– Managing your own practice

– Demonstrating professional competence.


Career opportunities

The opportunities open to qualified social workers increase all the time. Demand is currently very high and successful graduates can choose from a wide range of career opportunities in local authorities, NHS Trusts, voluntary organisations and the private sector.

Typical background of applicant

All of our students are postgraduates with a wide diversity of personal and professional experience to bring to the programme.

Professional contacts/industry links

The programme has been validated by the GSCC to educate future social work practitioners and has been developed in partnership with the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Greenwich, and input from a wide range of service users, voluntary organisations and carers.

Recent guest lecturers

– Lord Laming, Chairman, Victoria Climbie case

– Professor Joan Orme, Glasgow School of Social Work

– Professor Jan Fook, University of Southampton

Additional notes

This course will be revalidated in 2008-9 and there may be changes to the course.