University of Kent

Social Work (Step Up to Social Work) - MA, PDip

University of KentAdditional locations (see overview), United Kingdom

Course overview

The Kent and Medway Regional Partnership will be opening a new recruitment round for 20 aspiring social workers to start this programme in January 2026. Students can expect to learn through a combination of academic study and real social work experience in either Kent or Medway Local Authority. On completion, the Postgraduate Diploma will enable graduates to register and practice as a social worker, making a difference by nurturing relationships with families during difficult times and by protecting children.

Social work is both a challenging and rewarding career through which you can make a real difference for vulnerable children and families. You will need to build relationships with families facing difficult times, show a lot of patience and be a good listener. You will also need good observational skills, analytical thinking and sound judgement to make the right decisions and protect children.

Social work regularly tests resilience, stamina, and resolve - all of which you will need to succeed. Social work can be life changing for those you support. This is a unique opportunity to earn while you learn, as the Department for Education provides funding via a tax-free bursary payment of £19,833, over the duration of the programme, and payment of University fees for successful applicants.

This will allow you to change or start a new career in social work and be able to continue to pay your bills and fund your living costs while you are studying. The programme runs once every two years, dependent on government funding, so if you are interested, make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to apply. The School of Social Sciences is one of the best in the country for teaching and research.

Successful graduates of the Step-Up to Social Work programme are eligible to apply to register with Social Work England, the regulatory body for social work, meaning that you are ready to jump into a meaningful and successful career in social work.

Key highlights

  • Combines academic study with real social work experience in local authorities
  • Practice experience based in Kent or Medway Local Authority
  • Department for Education bursary and university fees paid for successful applicants
  • Graduates eligible to register with Social Work England
  • Accelerated 14-month route into a new social work career
  • Focus on protecting children and supporting families in difficult times

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:2 — or above
  • GCSE: C or above — to include English, English Language, Mathematics
  • Additional condition: dbs_check — You are required to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and to provide a satisfactory health declaration.

Scholarships

  • Chevening Scholarships

  • Christine and Ian Bolt Scholarship

    Scholarship value up to £10,000.

  • Kent Business School Beaconhouse PG Progression Scholarship

    Tuition fee discount scholarship of £6,000.

    Up to £6,000

  • Kent Business School Dean's Excellence Scholarship Award

    Awards of up to £3,000

  • Kent Business School MBA Scholarship

    50% off Tuition Fee.

    Up to 50% of fees

  • Kent Graduate Scholarship

    20% fee reduction for post-graduate taught programmes at the University of Kent.

    Up to 20% of fees

  • Kent International Scholarship Postgraduate Taught

    Scholarship value - £5000

    Up to £5,000

  • Kent International Scholarship Postgraduate Taught (KBS)

    Scholarship value £3000

    Up to £3,000

  • Kent LLM Solicitors’ Practice Scholarship (Canterbury)

    £2,000 tuition fee discount (Home Students); £2,000 tuition fee discount (Overseas Students).

    Up to £2,000

  • Sasha Roberts Scholarship

    £3,000 stipend per annum split into two payments of £1,500 in October and January.

    Up to £3,000

  • The “Ambition” Scholarship for University of Kent Graduates

    £1,500 for Full Time UK students; £750 per year for Part Time UK students; £3,000 for Full Time Overseas students.

  • The CAMEMS Scholarship

    £3,000 stipend per annum split into two payments of £1,500 in October and January.

    Up to £3,000

  • The Widening Participation Ambition Scholarship for University of Kent Graduates

    £5,000 for UK students (£2,500 per year for part time students).

Careers this course leads to

  • Registered social worker
  • Children and families social worker
  • Child protection social worker
  • Looked-after children social worker
  • Family support social worker

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Kent, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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