The course

This 14 month programme is offered as part of the Surrey and South London Partnership, the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (Step up to Social Work) is a condensed programme of study that leads to a professional qualification in Social Work. It is similar in content to the MSc Social Work but does not include the dissertation requirement. The Step up to Social Work offers high calibre candidates the opportunity for fully funded course, wherein fees and a bursary are available for each place granted. Please refer to the Department for Education for more detail.

This course runs in close partnership with local authorities based in inner and outer London boroughs as well as neighbouring counties where you'll benefit from two fieldwork placements – experiencing the world of social work first hand, hearing from service users and carers' representatives. This practical experience informs and is backed up by College-based teaching.

The combination of a taught and practice curriculum breaks down barriers between practice, policy and research, meaning you will emerge from the course as a critically reflective practitioner who can work for the most vulnerable in society within an anti-oppressive framework.

On completion of the course you will have advanced knowledge of:

• sociology, psychology, social policy and law and their application to social work practice
• the contribution and application of social research to social work theories and practice
• the range of statutory, voluntary and private welfare organisations within social work agencies and in health, housing and educational environments
• the range of theories and methods needed for effective social work practice
• the social and individual origins of a typical range of problems presented to social care agencies
• values and ethics relevant to social work practice
• the significance of inequalities and difference in working with organisations and social service users.

Teaching & assessment

Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework, examinations and presentations. Students are also required to successfully complete one 70-day and one 100-day practice-learning placement.

Your future career

We'll prepare you for a career in statutory and voluntary social work. Once you're qualified as a social worker, you'll be able to apply for registration with the Health Care Professionals council. You'll also have the option of continuing your academic development through taught post-qualifying programmes, or research opportunities within the department.