PhD Social Work

Program Overview

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Our PhD in Social Work offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of social and health contexts. You may be interested in the experiences of looked after children, the care of older people or the support provided to refugees but whatever your specific research interests we are likely to have a supervisor with the experience to support you in this process. In addition, you will have access to the University’s Proficio research training scheme which allows you to choose training programmes that meet the requirements of your own research topics and methodologies. This PhD is offered on a 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time basis, plus up to a maximum of one year of completion. The School of Health and Social Care is proud to work closely with our Service User Reference Group (SURG). SURG is made up of service users, carers, and volunteers who generously share their first-hand experiences of health and social care. We work collaboratively with SURG to design our courses to ensure that we truly are putting the needs of patients and clients at the heart of what we do. SURG are involved as part of our course application processes and often form part of our interview panels. This helps us to be confident that we are selecting the right applicants for the course and their future careers. SURG members also support the delivery of our teaching sessions and research activity, which means you’ll benefit from an insight into their lived experiences of living with a diagnosis, health condition, or circumstance. You’ll find that not only does your clinical knowledge expand, but your empathy, compassion and ability to advocate develops also. You can find out more about SURG by reading their blog here . Why we're great.

• We specialise in applied multidisciplinary research, addressing issues of national and international concern to social work, social policy, social care, health sociology and related fields.
• Our researchers work closely with international social work organisations such as IASSW and EASSW. The Centre for Social Work is also involved in the Social Work Action Network and the Social Services in the Context of Conflict Network.
• The Centre for Social Work is an outward-looking and vibrant community of scholars which frequently organises national and international events such as seminars, symposia and conferences. Our PhD students have the opportunity to contribute towards these events both as co-organisers and presenters.

Our expert staff

Within the School of Health and Social Care, we have a number of registered Social Workers who are also PhD supervisors. This provides you with ongoing support and guidance alongside the academic rigour necessary to supervise a PhD. Where possible we offer two supervisors to ensure all your supervision requirements are met. Your supervisor(s) will guide you in developing your research plans and support you in your self-directed learning. You will also have two supervisory panels a year (one for part-time students) which will allow your progress to be monitored in a more formal manner.

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Specialist facilities

The School has access to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) building. We also have a PhD room with desk space, PCs, printer and shelf space.

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Your future

Essex University graduates are in the frontline of shaping policies and influencing debates internationally. Some of our graduates continue working in academic settings as lecturers or researchers while others work in clinical and management positions in local trusts, social work/ care organisations, hospitals, international NGO’s as well as in local and county councils.

Program Outline

Course structure

A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a thesis or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY HS999-8-FY (0 CREDITS)