Professional Social Work Practice - Step Up to Social Work PGDip
Anglia Ruskin University
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Qualification

Postgraduate Diploma

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Location

Cambridge Campus

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Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

14 months

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Qualification

Postgraduate Diploma

Location

Cambridge Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

14 months

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Social Work
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Course info

IntroductionApplications for Cohort 7 have closed. Information about applications for Cohort 8 will be available in Spring 2023 with the course starting in January 2024. Step Up to Social Work is a Government-led initiative to encourage graduates with related experience to enter the profession to work with children and families. ARU’s Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Social Work Practice – Step Up to Social Work is an intensive 14-month course. You’ll be taught by passionate, knowledgeable ...Read more

Introduction

Applications for Cohort 7 have closed. Information about applications for Cohort 8 will be available in Spring 2023 with the course starting in January 2024. Step Up to Social Work is a Government-led initiative to encourage graduates with related experience to enter the profession to work with children and families. ARU’s Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Social Work Practice – Step Up to Social Work is an intensive 14-month course. You’ll be taught by passionate, knowledgeable tutors and practitioners on our Cambridge campus and gain hands-on experience on placement.

At ARU, we’ll support you to integrate your postgraduate academic study with the practical skills and experience you need to become an effective social worker. Blocks of time will be spent studying on campus, where service users and practitioners will join us to provide a real-life context for your learning. University-based teaching sessions take place in January to mid-February and end of July to beginning of September. There is also an on-campus day per month during the rest of your course. Each semester you’ll spend time in practice placements in children’s and adult services. Placements total 170 days and take place with local authorities in the Eastern Regional Partnership. The participating partners for Cohort 7 are Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Essex County Council, Norfolk County Council Suffolk County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend on Sea Borough Council. You’ll be supported by your link local authority and personal tutor, and have access to bespoke study skills support. We’ll also help you link up with former students and partnership colleagues to encourage you to think about where you want to work in the future.

How you'll be assessed

We’ll assess you through academic assignments, simulated practice, presentations, practice debriefs and the portfolios detailing your professional development.

Careers

Completing the ARU Professional Social Work Practice – Step Up to Social Work postgraduate diploma will enable you to register and practise as a social worker. With this qualification you’ll be able to work in a wide range of settings including local authorities, housing organisations, voluntary and private sector projects, schools and health settings. While the aim of this course is to train you to become a social worker with children and families, its broad content gives you the versatility to be able to consider other options. For example working with adults, people with mental ill health, learning or physical disabilities, those who have committed criminal offences, who misuse drugs or alcohol, or who live in communal settings. Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. After completing this course, you can opt to take an additional dissertation based module and gain a full Masters degree in Social Work at ARU. This element is self-funded.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
61/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
39th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
121st
What students say
A
Amy
31 Jan 24

The tutors and lecturers have all been very nice and supportive when there has been an issue. The toilet facilities in the library area are sometimes not nice and smell. The food..Read more

A
Artila
07 Jan 24

The university has plenty of facilities and the location is lovely, also the lecturers are supportive and knowledgeable...Read more

Modules

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Entry requirements

A first degree with honours at a minimum final classification of Upper Second (2:1) preferred; 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English and Maths; to receive an offer of a place on this course you must be successful at interview; applications are made via the Department for Education and not UCAS.

Tuition fees

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Places are fully funded; There are no tuition fees.

Students from EU

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Places are fully funded; There are no tuition fees.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

Places are fully funded; There are no tuition fees.

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Latest reviews

Latest Social Work reviews

Social Work
Social Work
A
Amy
31 Jan 24
Social Work BA (Hons)
The tutors and lecturers have all been very nice and supportive when there has been an issue. The toilet facilities in the library area are sometimes not nice and smell. The food...
Read more
A
Artila
07 Jan 24
Integrated Health and Social Care [with Foundation year] BSc (Hons)
The university has plenty of facilities and the location is lovely, also the lecturers are supportive and knowledgeable....
Read more
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How Social Work students rated:

Student rating
( 3.7) 17 reviews
5 star
12%
4 stars
59%
3 stars
24%
2 stars
0%
1 star
5%

How all students rated:

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( 4.0) 1,489 reviews
5 star
33%
4 stars
46%
3 stars
18%
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1%
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Uni info

Anglia Ruskin University
Anglia Ruskin University , Cambridge

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) offers gold standard teaching (Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), 2023) and expert tuition across...

Student rating
( 4.0) View reviews
CUG ranking
121st
Anglia Ruskin University
East Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 1PT United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Cambridge  0.4 miles away

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