Social Work

Gain the knowledge, skills and qualification you need to practice as a social worker in Wales and the wider UK. tick Quality by design Our programme is designed and delivered in partnership with people with care and support needs, carers, local authority partners and third-sector organisations in Wales. briefcase Student placements We prioritise employability and practical knowledge and skills, working in partnership with local authorities in Wales to ensure high-quality placements and your chances of securing employment afterwards. people An experienced team Our teaching team represents decades of practice and research experience in a variety of fields and includes two of the top 100 social work academics in the world, and a former Children’s Commissioner for Wales. rosette A top UK university We’re one of the UK’s leading institutes of higher education, the only Welsh member of the Russell Group, and placed in the top 20 UK universities for the quality of our research ( REF 2021). location Our location We’re based in the Glamorgan Building, within walking distance of Cardiff city centre and local rail and bus stations. Our Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work programme will develop your skills, knowledge and values so that you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, groups and communities, while advocating for social justice and human rights. Our curriculum focuses on building your skills, knowledge and confidence to practice. - **Foundational skills**: You’ll gain the essential abilities to work effectively with individuals, families, groups, and communities, learning to conduct assessments, develop person-centred care plans, and make informed judgements and decisions. - **A humanistic approach to practice**: You’ll develop a value-based understanding of social work grounded in a shared commitment to human rights, equality, and social justice. - **Professional competence**: You’ll build confidence in providing compassionate, principled, and effective interventions. - **Welsh context, global perspective**: You’ll learn how to make a difference as a social worker in Wales while gaining a global outlook on the profession. Our strong partnership with local authorities in Wales means you will have access to a range of high-quality and well-supported placements. These will be integral to your professional development, allowing you to apply your academic learning in real-world settings and engage directly with people with care and support needs, carers, and other professionals. A Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work enables you to apply for registration with Social Care Wales. It also enables you to apply for registration with other social work regulatory bodies in the UK. For further information, applicants are advised to check specific registration requirements with Social Work England, the Scottish Social Services Council, or the Social Care Council of Northern Ireland, or with the relevant overseas body such as the Australian Association of Social Workers or the Council on Social Work Education in the USA. Where you'll study