An MPhil involves the exploration of a research topic and is typically studied over a shorter period of 1 year for a full-time student and 2 years for a part-time student. MPhil students are required to demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights informed by the forefront of their discipline, field of study or professional practice.

Research profile
Social Work at Brunel enables graduates to make a real difference to the world around them including direct practice, community work and practice aimed at influencing social policy. The Social Work Division has particular strengths in working with the old and the young. A PhD in Social Work aims to enable someone to develop knowledge in a specialist area and offers the opportunity to make a valuable and novel contribution to knowledge in a policy, practice or educational aspect of Social Work.

Brunel Experts by Experience has a long and proud history at Brunel whereby service-users help the delivery of Social Work training to students and staff.

In the Division of Social Work we have members of staff who are:

• Editor of Ageing and Society, the leading social gerontology journal in the UK
• Editors of International Journal of Social Work, Gender and Education, Sex Education
• Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health
• Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences
• Core member of the Sex Education Forum
• Advisor on projects funded by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner
• Convenor of the British Educational Research Association’s Sexualities Special Interest Group
• Awarded the Ken Darby-Dowman Memorial Award for post-graduate teaching

The Division of Social Work have:

• specialism in gerontology
• specialism in working with children and young people
• research with practitioners on tackling gender violence
• commitment to anti-oppressive practice
• service user perspectives and experiences
• specialist researchers in gender and sexualities

Applicants are welcome to contact us about their own specialist topics and projects.  However we particularly welcome proposals on

• Anti-oppressive practice and the development of resilient practitioners
• Children and young people’s experience of services
• Elderly and emotional well-being
• Sexualities and Sexual Violence

Social Work is an evidence-based profession.  Research on the efficacy of social work interventions and on service user perspectives and experiences of services are crucial to it.  This research is highly valued by the profession.  PhDs in Social Work are respected in the field and set an academic research-active practitioner apart from practitioners in general.  University departments that deliver social work education expect most staff to have PhDs.

• A minimum score of 60%- 70% or GPA 2.8/4 - 3.4/4. Offers within the grade range are determined by the higher education institution attended.\
• IELTS: 7 (min 6.5W, 6.5L, 6.5R, 6.5S)
• Pearson: 64 (58 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 70% (65% in all areas)