Course Level:Postgraduate
Next Start Date: October 2023
Duration: 5 Years
Campus Location: Putteridge Bury Campus, Luton
Attendance: Part-time day

About the course

This course is designed to provide social workers with the skills and theoretical understanding to become effective practice educators and contribute to the learning of others, within the workplace and the wider context of social work education.

Mapped against the Practice Educator Professional Standards (BASW 2015) and the Professional Capabilities Framework for social workers (BASW 2018), the course is designed to develop graduates able to assess learners’ capabilities and provide effective learning opportunities in the workplace.

It features core units focused on practice educator training and applied research skills. You then choose from a number of options, such as applying knowledge to work-based learning; mentoring and coaching; and supervising for quality and performance.

The course is normally completed within five years, on a part-time basis.

Intermediate qualifications available:

  • Postgraduate certificate – 60 credits at Master's level
  • Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Master’s level

Why choose this course?

  • Gain the core knowledge, skills and values required for the role of practice educator in line with current professional standards
  • 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
  • Explore the different ways in which you can demonstrate an on-going commitment to working in collaboration with local employers, practitioners, service users and carers
  • Develop the ability to critically evaluate theories of adult learning and apply them in everyday practice to ensure the best outcomes
  • Provide leadership to support the development of a learning organisation that provides lifelong learning and continuous professional development for its workers, and so improves the quality of experience for service users, families and carers
  • Our Schools work closely with the Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR), which is renowned for its globally influential research
  • The majority of research undertaken at IASR has been rated internationally excellent or world-leading by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
The campus where this course is taught

Units

  • Applied Research Skills In Social Work (ASS032-6) Compulsory
  • Dissertation For Social Workers (ASS091-6) Compulsory
  • Practice Educator Training: Stage 1 (ASS085-6) Compulsory
  • Practice Educator Training: Stage 2 (ASS086-6) Compulsory
  • A Trauma Informed Approach To Relationship Based Social Work (ASS143-6) Optional
  • Adult Exploitation And Safeguarding (ASS144-6) Optional
  • Applying Knowledge To Work Based Learning (ASS087-6) Optional
  • Complexities Of Forced Migration, Human Displacement, Trafficking And Refuge (ASS064-6) Optional
  • Mentoring And Coaching In Social Work (ASS033-6) Optional
  • Sexual Abuse And Exploitation (ASS145-6) Optional
  • Supervising For Quality And Performance In Social Work (ASS030-6) Optional
  • Young People Group Offending And Violent Crime (ASS016-6) Optional

Throughout the course students will encounter a wide range of assessments designed to collectively meet a variety of individual learning styles and to support them in their progress towards becoming an autonomous learner. These methods are designed to test students in all the areas necessary for competent practice as an experienced Social Work practitioner, as well as in the academic disciplines underpinning this practice. Through the use of a variety of assessment methods, students will be able to demonstrate a wide range of key skills for both academic and practice competence. Assessments building towards the final stage of study encourage more self-directed study and autonomous learning. In most units there is an initial assessment early in the delivery of the course to enable students to receive constructive and developmental feedback on their academic writing. Observations of practice are also integrated within the two core units, designed to provide formative feedback providing students with a clear understanding of areas of strength and their development needs. Evidence of practice competence must be assessed by a professionally qualified and experienced Stage 2 Practice Educator mentor who has been approved by the University for this purpose. Reflection on evidence drawn from practice in the work place underpins many of the assessment activities. Students will be encouraged to read widely across all the units and will be supported to develop their skills in analysing and evaluating data from relevant studies. This is helpful preparation for the research and dissertation units. The final stage involves students undertaking an applied research dissertation which will concentrate on tackling a work-based issue or area of concern, researching this in detail either through primary or secondary research and writing a dissertation with recommendations for improvements in service delivery.

Why study in the School of Community, Society and Health?

  • Placements in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
  • Study in simulation labs for real life scenarios

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.

To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification

Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country

To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.

We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.

You also need to have the required English language qualification

Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.

 

Clicking this card will take you to /international/countries/

Entry Requirements


Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.


To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification

Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country


To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.

We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.

You also need to have the required English language qualification

Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.

 

  • Applicants must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or any other social work regulator in the United Kingdom
  • Successful applicants will normally have an Honour's degree (2:2 or above) and must have a professional qualification in social work.

All applicants should be practising social workers who wish to become practice educators, and have some direct experience of supporting the learning of others in some capacity such as on-site supervisor. Most applicants will have a minimum of two years of post-qualifying experience for direct entry into the course.

How will this course improve my career prospects?

After successfully completing the course, you will be able to specialise in professional education in social work, an area likely to see increased demand for practitioners with advanced skills. You may also like to continue your professional development by progressing to a Professional Doctorate programme, such as our Professional Doctorate in Systemic Practice.

Fees and funding

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,350 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £14,600

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

Fees and funding


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,350 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £14,600

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

Extra Costs

Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here.

How to Apply

UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form

International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online

Find out more about how to apply as an International student

International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online

Find out more about how to apply as an International student

How to Apply


UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form


International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online

Find out more about how to apply as an International student


International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online

Find out more about how to apply as an International student