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Queen's University Belfast

Applied Social Studies - Childcare

Overview
The Applied Social Studies programmes are designed to meet the continuing professional development needs of those staff working in the care professions (social work, psychology, education, nursing, teaching, medicine, etc).

With the current emphasis on a flexible, accessible, streamlined and seamless post-qualifying continuum, and one that aims to offer a more continuous range of opportunities for progression, we offer a range of modules and courses within an overall PG Certificate/PG Diploma/MSc programme.

The programmes present opportunities to study a range of areas including direct practice in child care, management and leadership within organisations and adult mental health at postgraduate level.

In addition, they aim to maintain educational coherence whilst covering diversity and choice. You can access a range of modules that accumulate into an award, affording the flexibility to work within their own time schedules.

Please note that this course is not eligible for a Tier 4 visa.

Applied Social Studies - Child Care highlights
Professional Accreditations
•The Applied Social Studies programmes have been accredited by the Northern Ireland Post-Qualifying Education and Training Partnership and offer a range of professional awards and requirements at the specific, specialist and leadership levels.

Industry Links
•For social workers, the programmes reflect the Department of Health policy in relation to social work and social care training and development (The Personal Social Services Development and Training Strategy, 2006-16), including links with the Northern Ireland Post-Qualifying Education and Training Partnership's professional requirements and awards in the three categories: specific, specialist and leadership.

Career Development
•Professional Development For multi-disciplinary applicants the programmes offer relevant CPD opportunities as well as recognised qualifications accredited by the University which will augment their professional development and enhance the development of further opportunities in their chosen field of practice.

Student Experience
•Each pathway leader has developed and nurtured their subject proficiency via their own practice, teaching and research in relation to their specialist area and they impart this trilateral expertise to the students via teaching on the Applied Social Studies programme.

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
Graduate
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Equivalent qualifications include the Pre-2007 Post-Qualifying Award in Social Work. Where this is not met, applicants must demonstrate that their experience and qualifications enable them to undertake study at postgraduate level through the uptake of references and through completing a written assignment.

Please note that this programme is only open to applicants who are working as Social Care Professionals within NI/UK.

Applicants must also possess a social work qualification recognised by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, be registered with the Council and should normally have two years post-qualification experience practising with service users or carers in a social work setting (including the Assessed Year in Employment where appropriate). All applicants must be currently engaged for at least 12 hours per week in a capacity in which core social work values underpin their practice with service users or carers.

It is important that Social Work applicants include their NISCC Social Care Registration Number in the Additional Information section of the application form.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 31st July 2019.

Late applications may be considered.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

1 year part-time.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
Continuing professional registration in social work is predicated on continuing professional development.. The DoH has directed that social workers demonstrate their competence covered in the curricula of the Applied Social Studies programme and its pathways.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Further enquiries

Dr Anne Campbell 
Applied Social Studies Director
SSESW
Email: a.campbell@qub.ac.uk

Professor Danielle Turney 
Professor and Pathway Convenor, Child Care pathway
SSESW

Subjects taught

Core Modules (40 CATS points each)
You may choose two from the three core modules which can also be taken as standalone modules:

Advanced Knowledge, Theory and Methods
Enhancing Outcomes for Children in State Care
Promoting and Safeguarding the Welfare of Children and their Families

Assessment method

Assessment methods include written assignments, observations of practice, projects. A variety of assessment methods for the Certificate will be used including written assignments, a reflective analysis on how the student applies relevant theory to their practice in two different cases and an assignment critically reflecting on how the student has enhanced the practice of colleagues drawing on the knowledge in this module.