Social Work Research

This programme creates links between social work research and practice in a range of settings. You will be taught the necessary skills to undertake research into social work and social care as a practice-based professional, a postgraduate research student or a policy-focused professional.

This degree will help you acquire vital tools to maximise your work in addressing genuine issues of concern with policymakers, managers, practitioners and service users in social work and social care.

The programme provides core research training in philosophy and research design in the social sciences, along with introductions to, and further approaches in, quantitative and qualitative methods in the social sciences. It has a particular emphasis on co-produced research involving communities that are often marginalised or excluded from the process.

While the programme primarily focuses on 'research methods', it also has a clear focus on social justice and how research can improve policy and the lives of those it impacts. You can choose an optional unit from a range of policy areas such as child and family welfare, gender and violence, health and social care, poverty and social exclusion, and policy-oriented evaluation. The programme also provides the opportunity to further investigate policy areas of interest through the assignments and dissertation.

We recognise that many of our students will have relevant experience as researchers, service managers/planners or policy advisers, and there will be space for you to reflect on and share your expertise in these fields; providing an opportunity to learn from your peers.

Some units are taught in collaboration with other postgraduate programmes, providing a co-learning environment where you can interact and share insights with students working towards research degrees in public policy and policy research.

Please note: This programme does not include practical training or lead to a professional qualification in social work. If you want to study for a qualification in social work practice, please see the MSc in Social Work: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/msc-social-work/