Doctor of Social Work

Our Doctor of Social Work programme is designed for social workers and for those wanting to undertake a professional doctorate in the field of Social Work and Social Care.

The course's purpose is to enable those working in professional contexts to make a difference by carrying out applied or action-orientated research in a variety of areas. It also facilitates organisational input on agreed research areas and can enhance organisational research capacity

Why study Social Work at the University of Birmingham?

The Doctor of Social work is a professional doctorate for both UK-based as well as International (EU and wider Overseas) students. It facilitates organisational input on agreed research areas and can enhance organisational research capacity.

The Doctor of Social Work is designed for those who are involved in aspects of social work, social policy and practice in a wide range of settings, including government, voluntary organisations, community-based projects, management, education, social care, health care, probation and user groups, as paid workers or volunteers.

It aims to develop critical reflection within participants' policy, practice and organisational contexts, enhance applied social research skills, and develop ability to carry out and apply original research.

• Join the Department of Social Work and Social Care, internationally leading centre for research in social work.
• Study at the UK's most targeted university by the country’s leading graduate employers (High Fliers 2024)
• Have access to a sophisticated, hi-tech learning environment. There are nine libraries supporting your learning through access to one of the biggest research library facilities in the UK.

Career opportunities

Birmingham’s School of Social Policy and Society postgraduates enter a wide range of occupational sectors: the majority in the public sector in areas such as youth work but others including events, sales, administration and education. Graduates also opt to continue in academia.