Social Work

Social work is a profession dedicated to supporting people who face the most complex and challenging circumstances in their lives, whether through poverty, family breakdown, disability, mental health difficulties, addiction, or the effects of abuse and neglect. Social workers assess need, coordinate care, protect vulnerable individuals, and advocate for people who cannot advocate effectively for themselves, working within legal frameworks and alongside other professionals in health, education, and the justice system. It is both a demanding and a deeply meaningful profession.

At Queen's University Belfast, this two-year full-time graduate entry programme leads to the Bachelor of Social Work, a professional qualification accredited by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council and recognised throughout the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and beyond. The programme is designed for graduates who already hold a degree in another subject, providing a route into social work for those whose academic foundation and life experience have prepared them for the demands of professional training. It combines academic study with assessed practice learning opportunities, which are regionally allocated in partnership with the Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership and key stakeholders.

These placements are central to the programme, giving you supervised experience in real social work settings that develops both your professional skills and your understanding of what the role involves in practice.

Completing this programme and gaining Social Care Council registration qualifies you to practise as a social worker. Social workers are employed by local authorities, health trusts, voluntary organisations, and independent agencies across a wide range of settings, including children and families, adult social care, mental health, substance misuse, and criminal justice. The profession offers substantial job satisfaction and clear pathways for professional development, including advanced practice and management roles.

Postgraduate study in social work or a related field is an option for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.