University of Edinburgh
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The University of Edinburgh has been providing education for social workers since 1918. Our graduates come from Scotland, other parts of the United Kingdom, and from many other parts of the world. The qualification gained at Edinburgh allows graduates to work across the UK and internationally. The social work subject area is part of the School of Social and Political Science in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
We provide a range of programmes, ranging from initial qualifying programmes in social work, to specialist continuous development programmes for qualified social workers. We also offer a postgraduate degree in Global Mental Health, and a well-established PhD programme – both are open to qualified social workers and those without a social work qualification.
Much of the research we undertake starts from the premise that social work can make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Social workers must have intellectual curiosity and a willingness to explore how things might be better for people who rely on services.
As social work academics, we see our role as not only producing research and pursuing scholarship, but also encouraging the use of research in practice. Key areas of practice and research expertise include:
- Children and families
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Migration and experiences of displacement
- Criminal justice
- Health inequalities, disability and older people
- Gender based violence
- Social work profession and social work education
Much of our research is interdisciplinary and responds to needs that are local but also international and we work very closely with practitioners, policy makers and those with lived experience to inform policy and practice.
You can find out more about social work at the University of Edinburgh here, and profiles of staff and PhD students here.