This course provides unique opportunities for postgraduate and post qualification training in social work towards a range of different professional and academic qualifications.

In partnership with:
University of East London

Course tutor
Phillippe Mandin and Annie Huntington

MA/Advanced Award tutor
Clare Parkinson

Course aims

• Gain an advanced, specialised training in social work practice, management and/or education.

• Develop your capacities and skills to the highest level within modern social care, NHS and educational settings.

• Apply psychodynamic concepts to enhance understanding of your practice,  management or teaching within a wide range of organisational contexts.

• Understand the emotional impact of social work practice on the practitioner, manager and educator.

• Develop understanding of the individual   and social dynamics of exclusion, marginalisation and change processes in individual therapeutic, group and organisational settings.

Is this course for you?

• You need at least two years post-qualifying work experience in social work, a  recognised social work qualification (or equivalent), and usually a good honours degree (or equivalent).

• This is a flexible, modular programme drawing on a range of teaching methods, including detailed discussion of practice, management or teaching and theoretical seminars/lectures introducing and applying  psychodynamic theory to social work; organisations; social policy and research methods; training and education; consultation and supervision.

• In Year three, students have the opportunity to undertake supervised    practice as part of a multidisciplinary team within the Tavistock Clinic.

• Students can enter and exit the course at different points, depending on prior qualifications and interests. They can also re-join after a period of absence to study towards a higher qualification.

• There is provision for entry with advanced   standing, including direct entry to Part two of the programme (the Professional Doctorate).

• There is also the option of leaving after one  year with a Postgraduate Certificate, after two years with a Postgraduate Diploma and  after three years with the MA.

• The MA can be obtained by either dissertation or a clinical route. Completion of the doctorate requires a minimum of a further two year’s research towards a 40-60,000 word thesis.

• For qualified social workers, completion of the MA leads to eligibility for the Advanced  Award in Social Work. The MA also gives eligibility for membership of the TSP, Allied Professional Division.

Time Commitment
You will be expected to attend at the Tavistock Clinic for part one of the programme. Years 1 and 2 (Tuesday) and Year 3 (Thursday). Attendance may be required at other times (Clinical route).