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Social Sciences
As part of our postgraduate academic community, you will be taught by world-leading researchers, exploring topics such as gangs and county lines; youth justice; child sexual exploitation; safeguarding; human rights; trafficking and migration; refugees and asylum seekers. You will learn to apply your knowledge in a way that promotes social justice and challenges inequality locally, nationally and globally.
Careers
We encourage you to become a subject specialist, using the knowledge gained to undertake a dissertation that contributes to the development of understanding, policy and practice in your chosen field. This expertise will make you stand out as a candidate when it comes to employment and give you the edge in any interview situation. Our MA students have gone on to rewarding careers in a variety of fields in statutory, voluntary and private sectors as well as establishing their own social enterprises and community interest companies.
Q&A
Dr Fiona Factor
Postgraduate Portfolio Leader
What opportunities does studying social sciences at Bedfordshire offer postgraduate students?
We have an exciting range of professional and academic courses on offer. Our past students now work across the human services as social workers, probation officers, managers in statutory and non-statutory services as well as in prisons, in the police service and for health and social care agencies. Students tell us they are stimulated and challenged by our courses, and feel they are prepared for their future careers.
Did you know?
The Social Sciences staff team combines extensive research knowledge across social work; youth work; criminal justice; social studies; child and adolescent studies; and health and social care. Eighty-one per cent of research undertaken at our Institute of Applied Research has been rated internationally excellent or world-leading by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
Courses
Applied Social Work Practice: Children & Families MA 152 Applied Social Work Practice: Leadership & Management MA 152 Applied Social Work: Practice Education MA 153 Childhood Youth and Family Studies MA 154 Childhood, Youth and Family Studies: Youth Work Pathway MA 155 Criminology MA 156 Integrated Healthcare Practice and Strategic Leadership PgCert/PgDip/MSc 157 International Social Welfare & Social Development MA 158 Preparing for Professional Social Welfare Practice PgCert 159 Professional Social Work Practice PgDip 160 Social Work MSc 160 Social Work Practice – Master of Professional Social Work Practice 161 Research Degrees in the Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR) MA/MSc/MPhil/PhD 162 Professional Doctorate in Children & Young People’s Services PDC & YPS 163 Professional Doctorate in Systemic Practice 163
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For more information on any of the courses, visit: beds.ac.uk/pg-study For up-to-date information on part-time study options, see: beds.ac.uk/part-time
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Putteridge Bury campus, Luton 5 years part-time day UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution; be registered with the HCPC; and be a practising social worker in a children and families setting.
If you wish to develop your expertise as a social worker for children and families, this course is for you. Developing advanced systematic understanding, knowledge and analytical skills, you will enhance your competence and management of risk, based on the values of contemporary social workers.
Key features
• Meets Social Work Reform Board’s recommendations for CPD for social workers • Aligned with the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) for social workers
Career opportunities
This Master’s course offers various career opportunities. Once completed, you will be able to specialise within your field, and there is increased demand for advanced practitioners in children and family social work.
Areas of study may include:
• Applied research skills in social work • Applying knowledge to work-based learning • Motivational interviewing for social work • Supervising for quality and performance
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Putteridge Bury campus, Luton 5 years part-time day UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution; be registered with the HCPC; and be a practising social worker in a children and families setting.
This part-time course prepares you for the challenges of management in organisations where policy and structure are subject to constant change. You will cover key issues in social work leadership and management – developing your ability to critically examine daily management practice.
Key features
• Explore your full potential as a leader and manager in social work through enhancing your knowledge, skills, sense of enterprise and self-awareness • This course conforms to the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF)
Career opportunities
You will be able to seek key leadership or management opportunities in social work or social care as the course progresses or upon graduation. On completing leadership and management units, past graduates have been promoted to positions of greater responsibility such as Heads of Service and have used the knowledge gained on the course to secure these positions.
Areas of study may include:
• Applied research skills in social work • Dissertation for social work leaders and managers • Leading and managing • Strategic leadership • Supervising for quality and performance in social work
To find out more contact: Susan Gill t: +44 (0)1582 743749 e: susan.gill@beds.ac.uk
To find out more contact: Susan Gill t: +44 (0)1582 743749 e: susan.gill@beds.ac.uk
Applied Social Work: Practice Education MA
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Putteridge Bury campus 5 years part-time UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution; be registered with the HCPC; and be a practising social worker in a children and families setting.
This course fulfils the requirements of the Practice Educator Professional Standards and is made up of six distinct units. Two of these are options that will give you the chance to develop your knowledge and skills in supervision, mentoring, management, assessment and support of learning, as well as the research that informs practice and practice education.
Key features
• The course is one of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses available for social workers • Study the ways in which you can promote equal opportunities for learners and challenge all forms of oppression and discrimination that affect learners from minority groups
Career opportunities
After successfully completing the course, you will be able to specialise in professional education in social work. As the Practice Educator Framework develops, there will be increased demand for practitioners with advanced skills in work-based learning and assessment.
Areas of study may include:
• Applied research skills • Dissertation • Mentoring and coaching • Supervising for quality and performance in social work
To find out more contact: Kathryn Jones t: +44 (0)1582 489309 e: kathryn.jones@beds.ac.uk
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus 15 months UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
Childhood, Youth and Family Studies is aimed specifically for those wanting to work with children and/or families in a variety of settings. It will give you the skills and knowledge to pursue or develop your career in areas such as early years, nursery worker or manager, family support worker or manager, child protection, pastoral support roles in primary education.
Key features
• This course is designed for you to study alongside other professionals working in a range of contexts across the sector, where you will be able to learn from one another as well as the input offered by lecturers, who also have extensive professional experience. • You will be able to explore the cultural and social constructions of childhood and youth, and the impact they have on the everyday lives of children, young people, and families through legislation, policy and practice.
Career opportunities
This course is designed to enable you to enhance your career prospects by broadening your knowledge and understanding of the lives of children and young people and the services available to them. Students often go on to work in areas such as education, social welfare, policy, or roles in local authorities or charities delivering services to children, young people, and families.
Areas of study may include:
• Dimensions of Childhood, Youth and Families • Effective and Ethical Practice when Working with Children,
Young People and Families • The Conceptual Framework: Theories shaping public policy for children and young people’s services • Coaching and Mentoring Practice • Contextual Safeguarding: Theoretical foundations and practical implications • Critical Consideration in Relationship and Sex Education • Young People, Group Offending and Violent Crime
To find out more contact: Dr Tina Salter t. +44(0)1234 123762 e. tina.salter@beds.ac.uk
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus 15 months UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
Childhood, Youth and Family Studies: Youth Work Pathway is aimed specifically for those wanting to work with young people in a variety of settings. It will give you the skills and knowledge to pursue or develop your career in youth work.
Key features
• This course is validated by the National Youth Agency and therefore has a professional JNC award in youth work • You will need to complete 400 practice hours across 9 months if studying full-time, or two years if studying part-time. If you are not currently in practice, then we can help support you to find a placement
Career opportunities
This course is designed to enable you to enhance your career prospects by broadening and deepening your knowledge and understanding of lives of young people and the services available to them. Students often go on to work in areas such as youth work, community development or educational settings with a specialism that focuses on young people. This course also helps students to progress into more senior positions and further develop their practice or go on to become policymakers.
Areas of study may include:
• Dimensions of Childhood, Youth and Families • Effective and Ethical Practice when Working with Children,
Young People and Families • Professional Practice Portfolio – this unit supports you in your placement • Coaching and Mentoring Practice • Contextual Safeguarding: Theoretical foundations and practical implications • Critical Consideration in Relationship and Sex Education • Young People, Group Offending and Violent Crime
To find out more contact: Dr Tina Salter t. +44(0)1234 123762 e. tina.salter@beds.ac.uk
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus 1 year full-time (options available: part-time) UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
Criminal offending and the state’s response to it are constantly evolving, and this course explores the latest ideas, thinking and research into the subject. Benefiting from the practice and practical knowledge of highly experienced tutors and lecturers, you will reflect critically on the latest theories and the many explanations used to explain why crime occurs. The School’s expertise is deep and wide-ranging, and covers youth crime and justice; substance abuse; gangrelated crime; corporate crime; and forensic mental health. You will be taught by leading researchers from the Institute of Applied Social Research, whose work on sexual exploitation, trafficking and disability is internationally renowned and sits at the interface between research, knowledge, policy and practice.
Key features
• Study the social, political and cultural contexts that inform criminology, and develop a critical in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject • Apply advanced criminological knowledge and understanding of criminal justice, crime and offending in a variety of settings
Career opportunities
Typical career paths include: criminal justice; local and central government; charity organisations; or research posts in the private and public sectors. Some students may take up further study at Professional Doctorate or PhD level.
Areas of study may include:
• Evidence based policing: targeting, testing and tracking • Corporate crime and corporate criminals • Forensic mental health • Offenders and offending: the experience of end-to-end management • Theories and perspectives of crime and criminal justice
To find out more contact: Gary Manders e: gary.manders@beds.ac.uk
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus 15 Months UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
Integrated Healthcare Practice and Strategic Leadership is designed for students who aspire to support, lead, and manage transformative health and social care provision contexts that seek to integrate a full range of hospital and community services, including local services, GP partnerships, local authorities and other health and social care and voluntary sector bodies within their service delivery model.
Key features
• The course is offered with PgCert, PgDip and MSc options. All the routes of the course have been recognised by the UK Chartered Management Institute (CMI); solidifying the student’s credentials as a leading authority to work with a range of providers in the broad context of delivering health services and able to provide business support for health-related programmes and projects • Students who come on the course will be encouraged to adopt a critical lens in understanding the role of digital care records, the role of single assessment care plans, the challenges of planning cost effective funding, joined up care and managing the high-risk scientific messages aimed at improving health outcomes
Career opportunities
The range of career opportunities across the newly constructed Integrated Care Boards is increasing exponentially for those with these essential healthcare leadership skills including understanding of technological developments, regulatory change, new equitable and collaborative systems of information and creating value for money. Critical leadership competencies to make complex decisions in the fast-evolving strategic spaces now emerging in the context of delivering and strengthening integrated health and social care provisions will be developed and required by employers.
Areas of study may include:
• Collaborative leadership for integrated care systems and practices • Strategic management and leadership of organisational mental health and wellbeing • The principles and application of health economics • Health informatics • Health and social care inequalities
To find out more contact: Dr Nenadi Adamu t: +44 (0)1582 743291 e: nenadi.adamu@beds.ac.uk
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus 1 year full-time (options available: part-time) UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject. Candidates without a degree may be accepted based on work or voluntary experience.
Every country’s approach to social work and social development is different, and this course will help you acquire the skills and knowledge you will need to give your career a global perspective. Your studies will provide a broad level of understanding by exposing you to the variety of ways in which our subjects are approached in diverse contexts, and there will be a particular focus on the Global South and on recognising how responses to social issues have developed. There will also be an emphasis on issues that have an international dimension, such as human rights and social justice, trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
Key features
• Study, compare and evaluate different global and indigenous approaches to social welfare and development within a framework of critical thinking, equality and social justice • You will be taught by experienced lecturers with considerable research and practice experience
Career opportunities
A wide range of job opportunities are available including roles in various national and international NGOs, humanitarian organisations and government institutions. Further study options include PhD or the Professional Doctorate.
Areas of study may include:
• Comparative social welfare and cultural competence: approaches, policy and practice • Complexities of forced migration, human displacement, trafficking and refuge • Humanitarian aid, NGOs and social welfare in disasters • Human rights • International social welfare and social development
To find out more contact: Dr Lena Opfermann e: lena.opfermann@beds.ac.uk
Preparing for Professional Social Welfare Practice PgCert
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October, February Luton campus 1 year part-time UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:1 Honours degree in a related subject. Candidates without a degree may be accepted based on work or voluntary experience.
This course is designed for you if you want to be a social worker but have not met the entry requirement of a 2:1 in your undergraduate degree. We recognise that, just because you did not achieve a 2:1, it does not mean you do not have the potential to be a superb social worker. There is a significant shortage of qualified social workers across the country, and, by joining the profession, you will be assured of lifelong employment in a rewarding and challenging career working with people who need your help, often during their most vulnerable times.
Key features
• You will be able to demonstrate your ability to study for the MSc in Social Work • You will achieve prior recognition of your learning (RPL) of 30 credits towards your MSc • You will become part of the postgraduate community and have access to high-quality teaching and cutting-edge research
Career opportunities
This course will enable you to join the MSc in Social Work, and upon successful completion, gain the professionally recognised qualification.
Areas of study may include:
• Person-centred and reflective practice in social work • Professionalism, law and ethical practice
To find out more contact: Dr Fiona Factor t: +44 (0) 1582 489382 e: alberto.poletti@beds.ac.uk
FUSTINA DAVIES
International Social Welfare & Social Development
“I choose to study International Social Welfare and Social Development course because it looks at a wide range of International Social welfare problems and it also gives you the ability to focus in a particular area of study.”
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus 14 months full-time (options available: part-time) UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:1 Honours degree in a related subject. Candidates should also have a minimum of six months' work experience of voluntary or paid work with children, young people or families.
This practical, work-based course will give you the chance to achieve a nationally recognised professional qualification in social work together with a postgraduate academic award. You will acquire the systematic and independent ability to critically evaluate both current theoretical understanding and practice, and develop skills to apply knowledge-informed and evidence-based practice in your workplace. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a piece of supervised original research.
Key features
• Study and evaluate the power structures in society which create inequalities, and acquire an awareness of the tools and techniques which can be used to counter them • Explore your own and others’ practice and current research in the discipline • Benefit from opportunities to develop the skills of initiative, resourcefulness, critical reflection and emotional literacy
Career opportunities
Graduates achieving the Postgraduate Diploma will be eligible to apply to enter the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) professional register as qualified social workers, and to work in a wide range of statutory, private, voluntary and independent organisations providing services to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, children, families, groups and communities.
Areas of study may include:
• Developing professional social work practice • Ethical perspectives on law and society • Research-informed child care practice
To find out more contact: T: +44 (0) 1582 489382 E: alberto.poletti@beds.ac.uk Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus 2 years full-time UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:1 Honours degree in a related subject. Candidates with a first degree in other disciplines may be considered if they can demonstrate substantial experience in social work/care during the previous five years. All applicants should demonstrate in their application substantial relevant experience of delivering social care services. DBS check and occupational health check required.
On this practice-based course, your studies will be supervised by experienced practitioners, and you can expect an induction, a protected workload and a study day most weeks while on placement. All placements are under constant development with our employer partners, and you may be eligible for a bursary administered by the NHS Bursaries Unit.
Key features
• Gain skills in critical reflexivity and emotional literacy, which underpin collaborative social work practice and proactive professional development • Nationally and internationally recognised for its research excellence • Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council
Career opportunities
Seek employment with a range of local authorities and many private and voluntary agencies throughout the UK.
Areas of study may include:
• Critical issues in specialist and inter-professional practice • Knowledge for social work: critically reflective and research-informed practice • Social work law, ethics and values • Working with people: theories and methods for social work practice
To find out more contact: Sally Cornish T: +44 (0) 1582 489382 E: alberto.poletti@beds.ac.uk
Master of Professional Social Work Practice
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
January Luton campus 1 year full-time UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:1 Honours degree in a related subject, plus a current work setting (employed or voluntary).
The Master of Professional Social Work Practice (Step Up to Social Work) course allows graduates holding the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Social Work Practice to progress to a full Master's award by undertaking a work-based research project. This work-based course will enable you to gain the systematic and independent ability to critically evaluate current theoretical understanding and practice. You will develop the skills needed to apply knowledge-informed and evidence-based practice in the workplace and have opportunities to undertake a piece of supervised research.
Key features
• You will design, carry out and evaluate original research in the workplace under the supervision of a member of the academic team • Study in both classroom and practice settings to develop the skills of communication, teamwork and leadership
Career opportunities
By completing the Master of Professional Social Work Practice, you will be well placed to progress on to one of the School of Applied Social Studies’ Professional Doctorate (DProf) awards in due course. This will enhance your own knowledge and career development as well giving you the opportunity able to make a distinctive contribution to your profession.
Areas of study may include:
• Developing professional social work practice • Ethical perspectives on law and society • Research-informed child-care practice
To find out more contact: Dr Lana Burroughs T: +44 (0) 1582 489382 E: alberto.poletti@beds.ac.uk
Social Research (IASR) MA/MSc by Research/MPhil/PhD
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus Variable UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:1 Honours degree or a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area. You will also need to demonstrate high levels of potential and motivation for research.
IASR focuses on applied research in social contexts. It offers opportunities to study for research-based degrees alongside nationally and internationally recognised experts and to enhance your career opportunities. IASR also offers access to subject-specific seminars hosted by its research centres, as well as affiliation with the relevant research centre or group.
Key features
• Affiliation with the relevant research centre or group, enabling closer working relationships
Career opportunities
A research degree can enhance a range of careers in practice, policy, research or academia.
IASR welcomes applications in the following areas:
• Refugee, asylum and migrant children and young people • Research Centre for Applied Psychology • Safer Young Lives Research Centre • Tilda Goldberg Centre for Social Work and Social Care • Vauxhall Centre for the Study of Crime
To find out more contact: The Research Graduate School t: +44 (0)1582 489056 e: research@beds.ac.uk
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Luton campus Variable UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant subject area.
Typically, applicants will be employed as managers or senior practitioners.
This course has three strands: children’s services, young people’s services, and youth justice. The course recognises the commonalities between these three fields of service delivery, while enabling students to focus their research on the strand that fits most closely with their specialist area of interest. The PDC & YPS is an intensive part-time research degree developed jointly within the University's Institute for Applied Social Research (IASR) in partnership with Barnardos, the Brathay Trust and Nacro Youth Crime Section. The course is an applied alternative to a PhD for senior practitioners and managers.
Key features
• The Professional Doctorate in Children & Young People’s Services (PDC & YPS) is the only course of its kind in Europe • A wide range of leading guest speakers and lecturers contribute to the course
Career opportunities
The PDC & YPS equips students to assume senior professional and practice roles in children’s services, young people’s services, youth justice and allied fields, and can provide a career pathway to work in academia.
Areas of study may include:
• Models and methods of investigation • Remainder of the curriculum is tailored each year to the particular interests of the student cohort
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
February Luton campus Variable UK/EU students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant subject area, as well as three years of experience of systemic practice.
This Professional Doctorate is aimed at people wanting to undertake research directly related to their practice. Practitioners coming on to this course will have an experienced systemic appreciation of the use of systemic ideas in leadership, therapy, training, organisational development, supervision and community work. This course encourages new ways of inquiring into systemic practice, into the fluid and shifting connections in the reflexive shaping of systemic theory and practice, and systemic research theory and practice. This course is for advanced practitioners who want to benefit from membership of a systemic research school.
Key features
• The course encourages the use and development of systemic research methodologies and systemic adaptation of traditional research methods
Career opportunities
Graduates have gained more senior positions and have taken on creative and rigorous innovative developments in work and research. Many graduates have published papers or books, presented at national and international conferences or gone on to teach.
Areas of study may include:
• Coaching • Community activism • Community work • Leadership • Organisational development • Social and organisational policy • Social work • Therapy
