PgCert Advanced Social Work Children, Young People & Families at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

This postgraduate certificate enables child and family social work practitioners in statutory and voluntary settings to develop advanced knowledge and skills in their current work setting. Teaching uses lectures, small group teaching, skills workshops and practice-related assessment, with a focus on translating learning into practice.

Department: Social Sciences, Education and Social Work | Duration: 1 year part-time | Intake: Academic year 2027/28 | Study mode: part-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 teaching covers theoretical perspectives and research evidence on child development, parenting capacity, family dynamics and relationships, the aetiology of child maltreatment, and environmental and structural issues affecting wellbeing; students also develop engagement and relationship-building skills using genograms, ecomaps and timelines, and skills in supporting children and families across the social care pathway including foster, kinship, adoptive and residential care.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally a second-class honours degree or higher (otherwise applicants satisfy the programme lead through a written assignment); a social work qualification recognised by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and NISCC registration; completed assessed year in employment; currently engaged at least 12 hours per week in a children's social care setting; enrolled on the PiP Consolidation or Specialist Award on the NISCC portal. International applicants: IELTS 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 (taken within the last 2 years).

Domestic applicants: GBP 3,083 a year (2027/28). Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland rate Source

International applicants: GBP 8,133 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other rate Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year part-time

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