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Course options

  • Qualification

    DSW - Doctorate in Social work

  • Location

    University of Birmingham

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    30-SEP-24

  • Duration

    3 years

Course summary

The Doctor of Social Work is designed for social workers and for those wanting to undertake a professional doctorate in the field of Social Work and Social Care.

The Doctor of Social work is a professional doctorate for both UK based as well as International (EU and wider Overseas) students. Its purpose is to enable those working in professional contexts to make a difference by carrying out applied or action orientated research in a variety of areas. It also facilitates organisational input on agreed research areas and can enhance organisational research capacity.

The Doctor of Social Work is designed for those who are involved in aspects of social work, social policy and practice in a wide range of settings, including government, voluntary organisations, community-based projects, management, education, social care, health care, probation and user groups, as paid workers or volunteers.

It aims to develop critical reflection within participants' policy, practice and organisational contexts, enhance applied social research skills, and develop ability to carry out and apply original research.

The programme comprises research training, work orientated assignments and a 50,000-word thesis demonstrating original work.

Employability

If I gain a postgraduate research degree in this area, what are my career prospects?

The University of Birmingham has recently been ranked 9th in the UK, and 55th in the world, for post-qualification employability in a global survey of universities commissioned by the International Herald Tribune.

Over the last five years 98.6% of postgraduates from the School of Social Policy have been in work and/or further study six months after graduation.

The skills you’ll gain from studying in the School are highly sought after in most jobs or professions, as you will develop analytical skills and the ability to gather, assess and interpret data, all of which require clear and logical thinking.

Birmingham’s School of Social Policy postgraduates enter a wide range of occupational sectors: the majority in the public sector in areas such as youth work but others including events, sales, administration and education. Graduates also opt to continue in academia.

What type of career assistance is available to doctoral researchers in this department?

The College of Social Sciences, to which the School of Social Policy belongs, has specially designated careers advisors and careers consultants who can provide guidance for doctoral researchers on career paths, CVs, training opportunities, application and interviews. The University’s central Careers’ Service also runs workshops and offers personally tailored advice and guidance including 1-1 careers advice, 1-1 CV advice. The Career’s Service also runs CV writing workshops especially for postgraduates in the College of Social Sciences, giving advice on how to compile CVs for both employment and for academic roles.

The University also has dedicated careers advisors for International students who run workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. These are especially popular with International postgraduate researchers.

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 21,360per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University of Birmingham

University of Birmingham

  • University League Table

    14th

  • Campus address

    University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England

The University of Birmingham is a founding member of the elite Russell Group of UK universities.
Based in the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham offers an outstanding international student experience.
The university has a vibrant international student community and is home to over 10,000 international students from approximately 150 countries.

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    10th out of 75

  • Entry standards

    / Max 174
    145 80%

    12th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    90.0 90%

    30th

    1
  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 5
    3.43 69%

    69th

    3

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