Social work (M23)

Uniquely delivered with the University of East London, our qualifying course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and reflective capacity to become an effective social worker

Delivered jointly with the University of East London, this course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and reflective capacity you need to practise as an effective social worker. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a social worker with the regulatory body for social workers, Social Work England.

Please note: you may see the M23 course also referred to as SCMATP904 in communications from our application system.

About this course

This course combines a distinct theoretical and practical approach with a focus on developing as a critical reflective practitioner.

The first term of your first year is spent at the UEL Stratford campus where you will experience a wide-ranging introduction to theory and practice through ‘The fundamentals of social work practice’ and ‘Social work law’ modules.

You will undertake a practice learning placement for 70 days in a voluntary, private or statutory agency. You will be supervised and assessed by a suitably qualified practice educator.

From term two you will have a day of class-based learning at the Tavistock Centre to study human growth and development. As part of this module, you will undertake a 12-week observation of an infant or young child.

In your second year you will complete a 100-day social work practice placement starting in the autumn term. You will also complete your dissertation and study the ‘Professional development’ module, both of which support and develop your placement learning.

As part of professional development you will participate in a week-long experiential group relations conference in either December or April.

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal if you are a graduate committed to a future career in social work.

Course details

In order to undertake this course, we ask that you have:

  • some experience of working with vulnerable people in a caring role and an understanding of how this relates to social work practice
  • a 2:1 degree classification in any subject (however, if you have a 2:2, plus a postgraduate qualification or extensive experience, you may also be considered)
  • a current assessment of your potential health needs and the possible impact on fitness to practise. We therefore encourage you to complete a health and wellbeing self-declaration form at the interview, relating to health conditions that will affect your practice

For more information about the fees and funding for this course, please visit the University of East London website.

Assessment

The assessment mode for this course includes formative assignments, a short online law test, written academic assignments and reflections on experiential learning such as the group relations conference in the second year.

Attendance

Students will attend classroom learning for one day a week (or equivalent in the first term) with practice learning on the other days. There is some time allocated to self-directed learning.

Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to apply for registration as a social worker with the regulatory body for social workers, Social Work England.

Why study with us?

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to practise as a reflective, capable, and effective social worker. Developed in collaboration with local employers, the course reflects the priorities and needs of contemporary social work practice and is approved by Social Work England.

On this course, under supervision and guidance, you will complete two periods of assessed social work practice and be able to demonstrate attainment of nationally recognised standards in social work.

You will develop knowledge of the psychodynamic and systemic theories that inform social work practice and work within organisations. You will engage with the legal and policy framework for practice and extend your ability to assess and analyse complex human situations.

You will learn how to evaluate theory and research (including writing a Master’s-level dissertation). Through these experiences, you will consider and conceptualise a range of relevant interventions and to review outcomes which will prepare you for your first year as a newly qualified social worker.

This qualifying course teaches you to work with a relationship-based approach to practice. It will enable you to acquire the capacity to work therapeutically and to cultivate communication, interpersonal and inter-professional skills with social work service users and other professionals, including through experiential learning.

Testimonials

“I think the social work course at the Tavistock differs a lot from other social work courses through its emphasis on the psychoanalytic theory. Having such a heavy emphasis on that allows you to really embed it in the way that you practise as a social worker, and also really helps you to monitor and limit the impact it has on the rest of your life. ”
Sam
Social worker

Course facilitators

Validations and accreditations

University of East London

This course is accredited by the University of East London.

Apply now

Start your application for this course.

Recommended courses

Explore courses to study next

For a better viewing experience we recommend you upgrade your browser.