Advanced Social Work Practice Practice Education PGCert
2025-26 Year of entry
Become a social worker who can supervise and assess student social workers by meeting Practice Education Professional Standards (PEPS)
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Why study Advanced Social Work Practice (Practice Education) PGCert at Middlesex University?
This programme facilitates the transition of qualified social worker from being enabled by others, to becoming enablers of others, by meeting the practice education requirements as set out in the Practice Education Professional standards (PEPS). This is done primarily through being the trainee Practice Educator of a student social worker on placement with you for 100 days. Enhance your professional social work skills and develop your capacities in critical reflection, supervision and professional leadership, so that you can practice at a specialist level and improve outcomes for users of services.
Enhance your professional social work skills and further your career by honing your skills in critical reflection, research, supervision and professional leadership.
Our academic staff and practitioners bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, and our long-standing and strong ties with local authorities, charities and independent agencies ensure our courses provide the most current policy and practice in social work. Teaching staff are very supportive and do their best to ensure you succeed.
Upon graduation, you will have developed the knowledge and skills to be able to apply for specialist practitioner roles and/or more advanced social work positions such as those within management.
Many of our graduates continue working as a Practice Educator before using the experience gained to apply for advanced social work positions such as those within practice management.
Course content
What will you study on Advanced Social Work Practice (Practice Education) PGCert?
Upon completion of this programme you will have an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of adult learning, learning organisations and continuous professional development. You will know the meaning and scope of ‘practice education’ within a national and professional context and the role of the practice educator and practice assessor as well as the pre-qualifying social work student within that context (this is also in reference to the PCF and PEPS).
What will you gain?
As well as enhancing and developing your professional social work skills and knowledge, you will also have the ability to enable others in particular areas of specialist social work practice. You will have the pre-qualifying social work practice requirements and the related knowledge and values within the workplace in relation to PCF, PEPS and KSS.
About your course
Here is a brief overview of what you will study each year
This module facilitate your transition of a qualified social worker from being enabled by others, to becoming enablers of others, and meeting the Stage 1 practice education requirements within a particular specialism such as adult, child and family, or mental health social work as set out in the Practice Education Professional standards (PEPS).
This module will promote good practice in your assessment of and is supported by practice-based teaching. You will also be enabled to meet Stage 2 practice education requirements within a particular specialism of adult, children or mental health as set out in the Practice Education Professional Standards (PEPS).
Register your interest
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Teaching
You will learn through research, reading and critical reflection, workshops, tutorials and class discussions. Teaching will predominantly if not fully, be delivered online.
You will be studying at our leafy north London campus in Hendon.
Your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
Teaching and independent learning
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework.
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
You will be assessed via a combination of formative and summative written assignments, group work, assessed role plays and reflective writing based on practice experience. There are currently no examination assessments on the programme.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas and 600 computer spaces
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Make the most of our free laptop loans, e-books, printing and photocopying
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We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.
Our facilitiesStudent support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
All applicants must have a degree-level social work qualification
Further requirements
- You must have a minimum of two years post qualifying experience. Please note that certain modules require a specific number of years of post-qualifying experience
- You must currently be employed as a social worker
- You must have a satisfactory DBS check
- You must be employed in a permanent role as a social worker – employer reference required
- 2:1, applicants are required to have 6 months full-time direct work experience within a social care setting at time of applying. GCSE Maths and English grade C/4
Eligibility
UK/EU and international students are eligible to apply for this course.
Please note, due to restrictions placed on students with a Student route (formerly tier 4) visa undertaking part-time study by the UKVI, courses requiring a placement cannot be studied by International students.
Academic credit for previous study or experience
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study. For further information please visit our Accreditation of Prior Learning page.
Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions
Entry onto this course does not require an interview, portfolio or audition.
Qualifications
We accept the equivalent of the below qualifications from a recognised overseas qualification:
We normally require a second-class honours degree 2:2 or above or equivalent in Social Work at undergraduate (level 6) or postgraduate / masters (level 7).
Further requirements
- You must have a minimum of two years post qualifying experience
- You must currently be employed as a social worker
- You must have a satisfactory DBS check
Find out more about the qualifications we accept from the relevant country support page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.
Visas and immigration
You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK. Please see our visas and immigration page for further information.
English language requirements for international students
You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). Find out more about our English language requirements.
Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions
Entry onto this course does not require an interview, portfolio or audition.
Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university.
Please visit our Postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.
Careers
How can the Advanced Social Work Practice (Practice Education) PGCert support your career?
Upon graduation, you will have developed the knowledge and skills required to apply for specialist practitioner roles and/or more advanced social work/ welfare positions such as those within leadership and practice management.
Fees and funding
See individual module costs in the About your course section.
Additional costs
We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.
- Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Student Testimonials
Sherine, Marsha and Victor are Social Workers working in different organisations across London. They were part of a cohort of 20 Practice Educators who graduated in July 2022.
“Studying, working full time and mentoring a student during the Covid pandemic did have its challenges, but my journey has been enriching and so rewarding. It has been an absolute pleasure being part of this cohort and having the peer support and guidance from other students and the course lecturers. I am really excited about the future and my continuous journey as a Practice Educator." (Sherine)
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Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
View our range of student ambassadorsWe’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.