University of Birmingham
Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) PgDip
University of Birmingham

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 20 graduates of Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) PgDip at University of Birmingham for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry.

Overall student satisfaction
72 /100
20 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £29000 £25000 £31000
25-75 percentile range £24000 - £30000 £21500 - £31000 £25000 - £38500


Salary of all UK Graduates of molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25986 £23450 £28950
25-75 percentile range £21993 - £30000 £18456 - £28917 £22344 - £35829

Course Description

The MA Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) is for those who have practice experience in the fields of social work, health and social care or criminal justice, and who are interested in undertaking an academic or research career.

The MA Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) is recognised by the ESRC as a research training pathway designed to provide you with a sound background in overall research design and the most up-to-date training in methods, including data collection and analysis for potential doctoral students. The MA Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) welcomes applications from international students.

The core elements of this programme are delivered by staff from across the College of Social Sciences, many of them engaged in novel research in their particular fields. The MA programme includes assessed core modules and short courses (120 credits) and the completion of a 12,000 word dissertation (60 credits), while the Postgraduate Diploma includes the assessed courses only (120 credits).

Please note: this course does not provide a qualification to practice social work. If you are looking for a qualifying programme, please consider our MA Social Work.

Within social work and social care there is an increasing emphasis on the use of research to inform ‘evidence-based policy-making’ and practice. The MA Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) will provide you with rigorous training in social science research methods and their application to social work and equip you with the skills to make a real difference in this area.

The programme offers you a rigorous and systematic social research training, an opportunity to apply this to your particular area of policy (or practice) interest and the opportunity to study relevant aspects of policy and practice in more depth.

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) PgDip at University of Birmingham

20% Sports and fitness occupations
20% Elementary occupations
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Teaching Professionals
10% Sales occupations
10% Skilled trades occupations
10% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals

Grading & Study Time

The MA programme includes taught modules (120 credits) and the completion of a 12,000 word dissertation (60 credits). You will learn about social science and research through a blend of learning methods. These focus on promoting independent learning and include a mixture of formal lectures, small group work, research and skills development, individual tutorials and dissertation supervision. Social media, interactive web-based study and other self-directed activities also add a real-world perspective to the learning you will undertake.

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • (no subscore less than 6.0)
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice), PgDip, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

For entry onto this programme you will normally have an undergraduate degree in a social science of at least a 2:1. Applicants with a 2:2 degree classification will be considered on a case by case basis, if you have extensive related work experience. International applicants will be required to hold an IELTs of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band or equivalent qualification.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of University of Birmingham in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Birmingham in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #16 
    • #98 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

See all 35 university rankings of University of Birmingham

About University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is a research university based in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. The university’s aim is to be at the cutting edge of educational delivery, and to have their curriculum be continually reshaped by new revelations in research. The main campus is situated a reasonable three miles away from Birmingham city centre, which doesn’t take long to get to via bus if the student decides they’d like to spend some of their free time there.

List of 469 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Birmingham - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Birmingham

undergraduates:
24385
postgraduates:
9185
Total:
33570
  • Life as an international student at Birmingham
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Where is this programme taught

Edgbaston Campus
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