An image to illustrate the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work
Course type
Diploma
Credits
120

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Minimum – 17 months
Read more about how long it takes
Study method

Distance and practice-based learning

Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work

Course code: E85

Social workers play a crucial role in supporting society's most deprived and vulnerable people. The work is highly challenging and deeply rewarding, requiring strong dedication and commitment. The OU offers a work-based distance learning route to the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, designed for working professionals. Our PGDip in Social Work (England) is approved by Social Work England (SWE). Successful completion of the programme enables graduates to apply for registration as qualified social workers with the regulatory body. In Scotland, social work students must meet the eligibility requirements for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). Graduates who complete the course can apply for registration as social workers with the SSSC, qualifying them to work in children’s, adult, or justice services. The course is open to both sponsored and independent students. Applicants must have at least one year's experience working alongside service users and carers in a supportive role. They will need to be released from their current position to undertake two contrasting placements outside of their usual roles.

  • Approved as a social work qualifying award in England by Social Work England (SWE) and in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
  • Includes two substantive work-based practice placements supervised by a practice educator
  • Equips you to engage in critical and reflective professional practice, according to the Standards for Social Work Education and Codes of Practice and Conduct for the nation in which you train
Course type
Diploma
Credits
120

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Minimum – 17 months
Read more about how long it takes
Study method

Distance and practice-based learning

Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

How to register

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows.

These modules are compulsory and must be studied in the order listed below.

Compulsory modules Credits Next start
Developing social work practice (K832)

Developing social work practice is the first of two compulsory modules leading to the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work which is a professionally qualifying award.

See full description

60 31 Jan 2026 FINAL
Advancing social work practice (K833)

Advancing social work practice is the second of the two compulsory modules leading to our Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work which is a professionally qualifying award.

See full description

60 04 Oct 2025

You’ll be required to attend compulsory practice skills workshops on these modules and a compulsory residential weekend (or online alternative) on Developing social work practice (K832).

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.


Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes.

Credit transfer

For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.


On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip Soc Wk (Open) after your name.

You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

You can progress from this Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work to our MA in Social Work (F80).

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website. 


We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 19 March 2024.

England

Applicants will be required to have an honours degree with a minimum 2:2 classification in any discipline together with a proven record of experience of engaging directly with Service Users in a professional setting. Candidates’ experience will be considered individually on application, but we would normally expect a minimum of one year's experience – either paid or voluntary – in a setting such as a local authority or a health or social care provider in the private, voluntary or independent sector.

Applicants who do not meet the work experience requirement but hold a 2:1 classification in a cognate discipline will also be considered. Relevant subjects include:

  • Health and Social Care
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology/Social Studies
  • Law/Legal studies
  • Teaching/Education

In addition, you must:

  • Complete an OU application form which will include a personal statement, references and employer’s endorsement
  • Complete a declaration of suitability for social work
  • Have GCSE grade 9–4 (A*–C) in English and mathematics or certified equivalent
  • Demonstrate IT competence through self-declaration
  • Achieve an International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) score of 7 if English is not your first language
  • Undertake a written test
  • Take part in an interview
  • Have an enhanced DBS with lists check (i.e. checks against all registers including both children and vulnerable adults) dated within one year prior to starting the programme
  • Complete a health check. If, in exceptional circumstances, there are serious doubts about your fitness to practice on health grounds, the University’s doctor may ask you to undergo a medical examination. This examination will be at your own expense.

You must be supported by your employer, who must undertake to provide the required practice learning opportunities. Applications for this qualification can only be made via the supporting agency.

Scotland

Due to the selection process and pre-entry Reflective Practice Activities necessary for this programme, applications have closed for entry in January 2025. Applications for the Independent route close on Friday 11 April 2025 for entry in January 2026. For sponsored students, please discuss with your employing agency for further information and deadlines.

Applicants are expected to hold a degree in a relevant health/societal/psychology or other cognate discipline such as:

  • Health and Social Care
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology/Social Studies
  • Law/Legal studies
  • Teaching/Education

Holders of other degrees may be considered, depending on the content of their degree, completion of other relevant qualifications, work/volunteer experience etc.

Applicants must also have a proven record of experience of engaging directly with Service Users in a professional setting. Candidates’ experience will be considered individually on application, but we would normally expect a minimum of one year’s experience – either paid or voluntary – in a setting such as a local authority or a health or social care provider in the private, voluntary or independent sector.

In addition, you must:

  • Complete an OU application form including a personal statement and satisfactory references
  • Be part of a selection process which includes an interview
  • Demonstrate that you have appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to train as a social worker
  • Demonstrate your ability to understand and communicate in written and spoken English
  • Provide evidence of numeracy equivalent to a minimum SCQF level 5 Core Skills Numeracy at Grade C. The Scottish Qualifications Certificate documents the Core Skills Profile. Numeracy skills may also be evidenced by a numeracy test during the selection process if you do not hold an appropriate qualification. 
  • Register as a student social worker with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), which includes a check under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme

You must also have the support of your employer.

  • This may involve them sponsoring you on the programme, which involves paying your fees, arranging your placements and supporting you through the programme.
  • If you are making an individual (Independent) application, you will still be required to obtain a line manager’s/supervisor’s reference, which takes the form of a supportive statement, asking them to provide their opinion on your personal qualities and suitability to undertake training as a social worker.
  • Your employer would also have to agree to release you for two periods of practice learning (180 days in total) during the programme.

How to apply

Further information and details on how to apply are available from the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care website.

How long it takes

Most students study the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work part-time, finishing the qualification in 17 months by successfully completing the modules K832 and K833 in sequence.

The average study time per week is likely to be 12–15 hours but will be considerably higher during periods of practice-based learning when you will typically be required to attend the placement setting four days per week for up to 25 weeks at a time.

Geographical availability

The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work is available for study in England and Scotland. It is approved as a social work qualifying award in England by Social Work England (SWE). It has been approved as a social work qualifying award in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

This qualification is not currently available for students working in Wales.

Career relevance

On successful completion of the diploma, you will become eligible to apply for registration as a qualified social worker in England or Scotland. This is a broad qualification spanning children and families, adults and mental health social work and prepares you to work in a range of settings, including local authorities, healthcare providers and the private, voluntary and independent sectors.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

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