Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (Step Up) Kingston University

Why choose this course?

The Step Up To Social Work programme is a Department for Education scheme. This intensive 14-month full-time programme is for applicants who do not have a social work degree and want to become social workers.

You will receive a £19,833 tax-free bursary during the programme. The course requires you to complete 170 placement days of hands-on social work practice in a local authority whilst completing academic learning at the University. You will graduate with a postgraduate diploma in social work and will be able to register as a qualified social worker with Social Work England.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

• Through this course, you will train to become a social worker in 14 months.
• During the programme, you will receive a £19,833 tax-free bursary.
• The programme offers both hands-on learning and University-based academic learning.

What you will study

You will gain a thorough grounding in the theory and approaches which underpin the professional discipline of social work and develop the knowledge and skills to practise as a social worker.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

In Year 1, you will develop your knowledge and skills to prepare for your first placement.

Core modules

• Readiness for Direct Practice
• First Placement
• Becoming a Social Worker
• Human Development and the Social Environment

Year 2

In Year 2, you will build on the knowledge and skills from your first practice placement and learn how to critically analyse social work theory, legislation, and research to inform social work practice.

Core modules

• Second Placement
• Advanced Knowledge of Social Work Practice
• Critical Analysis of Research, Ethics and Practice

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

After you graduate

On completing the course you will be eligible to apply to Social Work England to register as a social worker.

Employment opportunities are available in:

• Children's services and family support
• Community care and adult services
• Adult/youth criminal justice services
• Community, day, residential and health settings
• Mental health, disability, learning disabilities, older adults, addictions, and forensic services
• Portable social work qualification that you can use to work overseas
• Post-qualifying programmes available

Good career development opportunities and post-qualifying training and awards are now an established part of the social work profession.