Social work

University	Type of award
University of Dundee(Opens new window)	BA (Hons) Social Work / PgDip / MSc Social Work
University of Edinburgh(Opens new window)	BSc (Social Work) / PgDip / Master of Social Work (MSW)
Glasgow Caledonian University(Opens new window)	BSc (Hons) Social Work / PgDip / MSc Social Work
Open University(Opens new window)	BA (Hons) Social Work / PgDip Social Work – work-based routes
Robert Gordon University(Opens new window)	BA (Hons) Social Work / BA (Hons) Social Work – Distance Learning / PgDip / MSc Social Work
University of Stirling(Opens new window)	BA (Hons) Social Work / PgDip / MSc Social Work
University of Strathclyde(Opens new window)	BA (Hons) Social Work / PgDip / Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of the West of Scotland(Opens new window)	BA (Hons) Social Work / BA (Hons) Social Work GA / PgDip / MSc Social Work

Specialist social work postgraduate programmes in England were developed to prepare graduates to work within specialist areas of social work practice.

Frontline(Opens new window), Step Up(Opens new window) and Think Ahead(Opens new window) qualifications are acceptable for registration by Social Work England but have been assessed as not fully meeting the Standards in Social Work Education (SISWE) in Scotland.

The SSSC will accept these qualifications in social work as an ‘entitling’ qualification to allow entry to the Register for social workers, with a condition that registrants complete a compensatory measure to meet the SiSWE within six months from their date of registration. Our Council has endorsed this decision.

The compensatory measure consists of two academic pieces of work:

• a reflective analysis of learning, knowledge and understanding, skills and ethical commitment
• a case study related to adult care or children and families.

We would suggest that any specialist qualification holders familiarise themselves with the SiSWE when looking to work in Scotland.

For more information about compensatory measures process, you can read our guidance.

Under section 8(2)(c) of the Professional Qualifications Act 2022 the SSSC publishes entitling social work qualifications that have been accepted for registration.

Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is responsible for giving financial support to eligible students on undergraduate and part time social work courses in Scotland. Find out more here(Opens new window). 

This information is relevant to the 2026/27 academic year. Funding is reviewed annually so please use this as a guide only for future years.

You can apply for a postgraduate bursary via your MySSSC account.

Read the bursary guidance notes before starting your application.

Where postgraduate social work students are not eligible for the postgraduate bursary administered by the SSSC and/ or the bursary quota is finished, students may apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for their postgraduate support package.

Please note that SAAS eligibility criteria will apply and if you receive any funding from the SSSC, you are not eligible for any funding from SAAS – this includes a student loan.

If you know that you are likely to be ineligible for a SSSC bursary, it is important that you let us know. You will only be considered for SAAS funding on confirmation that you are ineligible for SSSC bursary funding. You can contact us at [email protected]

Postgraduate bursaries are available for full time, home students with a household income of less than £34,000 studying the MSc Social Work, MA or Master of Social Work at the following universities:

• University of Dundee  

• University of Edinburgh

• Glasgow Caledonian University  

• Open University

• Robert Gordon University  

• University of Stirling
• University of Strathclyde   

• University of the West of Scotland.  

Each university receives a quota of bursary places. This quota is limited so any delay in applying may result in your application being rejected.

It’s important that you apply in full for your bursary, including the relevant supporting documentation, on or before the start date of your course. We won’t normally accept bursary applications submitted more than seven days after the start date of your course.

Applying for bursary funding doesn’t guarantee you will be allocated funding.

To be eligible for a bursary you must:

• be ordinarily resident in Scotland in accordance with The Student Support (Scotland) Regulations 2022(Opens new window)
• reside in Scotland for the duration of the course
• be registered with the SSSC as a social work student
• have an assessed household income of £34,000 or less.

The funding available for successful bursary applicants in 2026/7 is:

• annual tuition fees contribution of £5,000 paid directly to your university
• annual maintenance grant of £6,000 paid directly to you, the student, in three equal installments
• discretionary allowances for students with dependent children, caring responsibilities, disabilities or additional hardship (please see the schedule of rates for more details).

Please also see the Practice Learning Support Grant information below for more details about the PLSG and exceptional travel costs.

Please contact the Bursaries Team at [email protected] for more information.

The Scottish Government is funding arrangements to support social work students on placement with the Practice Learning Support Grant (PLSG).  

All eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students will receive a grant of £750 to support them while on each assessed placement. We will pay the grant directly to eligible students. The grant is to support with costs incurred while undertaking the practice learning placements that are a mandatory component of qualifying courses.  

Using the grant

Students can use the grant flexibly, however it is intended for expenses incurred, such as:

• travel to and from their placement location  
• personal subsistence of the student eg work clothing/meals etc
• other practical or wellbeing requirements which enable practice learning participation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the grant, students must:  

• be ordinarily resident in Scotland according to SAAS residency criteria  
• be on a social work qualifying programme approved by the SSSC  
• be studying full time  
• be undertaking a period of assessed practice learning (year one or two postgraduate; year three or four undergraduate) from August with verification of their attendance on placement provided to the SSSC by the university and/or placement provider (we will make payment within 15 working days of receiving verification)  
• not be sponsored by an employer for their studies (ie must not already be in receipt of payment towards programme fees, or payment in lieu of studies).  

Eligible students will no longer claim travel directly through universities as this grant is intended to cover the costs. Only students who are ineligible for the PLSG should apply for travel support from their university. Exceptional travel costs may be supported by university discretionary funds.  

Exceptional travel/ accommodation costs  

Students who incur costs which exceed the £750 PLSG for attending placements can claim for additional travel or accommodation costs beyond this amount. Scottish Government provides this funding to support students travelling long distances or on placement in remote or rural areas. We will require evidence of these costs and students who this applies to should contact [email protected] for more information on how to claim exceptional costs.  

In placement travel costs (business travel) incurred by a student while on placement remain the responsibility of the placement provider. It’s the responsibility of your university to ensure that the placement provider reimburses reasonable travel expenses incurred because of your work on placement. 

Guidance  

Read the PLSG guidance for students on how to claim the grant.  

Read the PLSG guidance for universities on how to confirm a student’s eligibility or non-eligibility and attendance and details of the placement.

The Distance Learning Transition Fund is to increase the number of employees nationally who can access distance learning programmes and qualify as social workers in Scotland. Many local authorities have existing partnerships with one or both universities which offer distance learning social work degree programmes and have existing sponsorship commitments.  

This new fund offers to cover the fees of two additional employees in each local authority, or two new employees for organisations with no current arrangement in place, to qualify as a social worker using the existing distance learning programmes offered by the Open University and Robert Gordon University.  

The funding is a maximum of £9,440 per student for either undergraduate or postgraduate degree programmes to support additional places based on each local authority’s usual annual academic intake into the distance learning programme of their choice. Selection will take place via normal university selection processes and the SSSC will distribute funding directly to each local authority.   

To access the funding each local authority must: 

• recruit an additional two candidates to the number they ordinarily recruit into their internal sponsored social work route.  

Candidates must be offered a place on one of the social work qualifying distance learning programmes offered by the Open University or Robert Gordon University at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.  

Funding is contingent on successful candidates completing the funded two academic years of the degree programme. Authorities are required to commit to any additional funding needed to support completion of the degree programme for students resitting modules or completing undergraduate programmes of longer duration.  

If candidates withdraw, are withdrawn from or fail to start their studies during the funded years, we’ll require the local authority to fully reimburse the funding paid.  

Applications for the BA (Hons) in Social Work by Distance Learning(Opens new window) at Robert Gordon University open on 29 June. Standard entry starts in December 2026 which allows students to enter at stage 2 of the degree and advanced entry at stage 3 commences in May 2027.

Applications are open for the Open University(Opens new window) BA (Hons) in Social Work starting in October 2026 and the MA in Social Work starting in January 2027.

The Practice Educator Fund provides funding for qualified social workers wanting to train as practice educators in Scotland. Practice learning funding of up to £1,500 towards tuition fees is available for those wishing to undertake one of the practice learning qualifications assessed at SCQF level 10 or above delivered by Scottish universities.  

Funding is available during the 2026-7 financial year to individual applicants who have been offered a place on a practice learning qualification and who are able to: 

• take time off work where required to attend a taught programme  
• act as practice educator for a student on a suitable practice learning opportunity within their own workplace, or as a long arm practice educator where this is not possible.  

It is likely many applicants will require permission from their workplace to attend the programme and to practice educate a student in the workplace where appropriate.  

Priority will be given to social workers who: 

• are employed by the third and private sector 
• are independent / self-employed practitioners  
• wish to return to practice  
• are from remote and rural areas
• do not have access to the Professional Development Award in Practice Learning through their workplace.  

Applicants not currently registered as social workers with the SSSC can use the training and supervision offered by taking this qualification towards the return to practice requirements. 

To access this funding practitioners must take the following steps. 

1. Ensure you can commit to the training and that your employer, where appropriate, supports your learning.  
2. Apply to, and be accepted by, one of the universities offering the programme; these are currently Robert Gordon University, who offer both distance learning and in person routes, and the University of Strathclyde.  
3. Complete the SSSC funding application form(Opens new window), enclosing details of your acceptance and the cost of the programme.
4. Please note that you will be required to repay the funding in full if you fail to complete the programme.  

The University of Strathclyde will launch their Post Graduate Certificate in Practice Education and Leadership (Social Services) in January 2027 and will open for applications in June 2026. Department of Social Work & Social Policy Courses | University of Strathclyde(Opens new window). Social workers who are not currently registered with the SSSC may contact the university to discuss this.

Robert Gordon University will deliver their Practice Learning Qualification in Social Services via Distance Learning from September 2026 and will open for applications in late May 2026 Practice Learning Qualification – Social Services Course with Graduate Certificate | RGU University – Aberdeen, Scotland, UK | Courses | RGU(Opens new window). They will also deliver the qualification in person in spring 2027.

The Mental Health Officer (MHO) Qualification Fund will be available to local areas with identified shortfalls in MHO provision. Up to £235,000 is available to support the qualification of new MHOs on programmes delivered by the University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University and the University of Edinburgh in conjunction with local employers. 

The funding is for up to 50 MHOs. It will be primarily directed to the local authority areas with evidenced MHO shortfalls as reported by the 2024 SSSC MHO report(Opens new window).

We’re liaising directly with local authority Chief Social Work Officers who are coordinating applications and interested candidates need to have approval from their local authority.

Local authorities must submit applications no later than 5 June 2026.

The Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) Supported Year in Scotland was introduced in October 2024 when it became mandatory for NQSW employers to support NQSWs using the Definitions of employer support. 

The introduction of the NQSW Supported Year is part of Scottish Government’s ambition to create a strategic framework from qualifying education through to post qualifying standards for all social workers and social work employers in Scotland.  

NQSW website 

Our NQSW website(Opens new window):   

• provides information for all NQSWs, their employers, managers and supervisors    

• supports consistency for the NQSW first year of practice   

• provides information about the current requirements for NQSWs    

• provides updates on news and events relating to the NQSW Supported Year    

• provides learning resources informed by our work with employers, managers and social workers from a variety of backgrounds.  

We support the education and training of social workers to become mental health officers (MHO) through setting professional standards and competencies.  

We also monitor and quality assure the Mental Health Officer Award programmes which are approved by us and delivered by universities.  

What is a mental health officer?  

Mental health officers (MHOs) are social workers with a minimum of two years post qualifying experience who have gained the Mental Health Officer Award (MHOA). MHOs have a unique role in supporting and protecting people who might be vulnerable because of mental disorder including:  

• protecting health, safety, welfare, finances and property  

• safeguarding of rights and freedom  

• duties to the court  

• public protection in relation to mentally ill offenders.  

MHOs are involved in the assessment of individuals experiencing mental disorder who may need compulsory measures of care, treatment and in some cases, detention. The role carries considerable autonomy and responsibility and involves working alongside medical and legal professionals.  

MHO Award  

The MHOA postgraduate certificate is at SCQF level 11 and is only available to social workers currently employed by local authorities or health and social care partnerships. There are three MHOA programmes:  

• University of Strathclyde  

• Edinburgh University Partnership  

• Robert Gordon University Partnership.  

Read the Introduction to the standards and practice competences to achieve Mental Health Officer Award for more information on the required standards.  

Practice Learning Qualifications (Social Services) and the Professional Development Award in Practice Learning (Social Services), are qualifications devised to equip individuals who support the professional development and learning of others in social services with the skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve positive learning outcomes and contribute to the development of learning cultures.

Practice learning is a central part of the provision of social work education in Scotland. Both the Practice Learning Qualification (Social Services) and PDA Practice Learning (Social Services) awards at SCQF level 10 (60 credits) are designed to equip qualified and registered social workers so they can carry out the role of practice educator in line with the revised expectations set out in the Scottish Requirements for Social Work Education 2024.

PLQ (SS) contact information  

The following programmes are approved to deliver the PLQ (SS) awards. Contact them for more information.  

Level	Training provider	Contact details
10	Clyde Valley Assessment Centre	Karen Sillars: [email protected]
10	Dumfries and Galloway Council	Irene Hurst: [email protected]
10	Edinburgh Napier University	Sarah Rose: [email protected]
10	North Ayrshire Social Services Assessment Centre	Karen Foster [email protected]
10	Robert Gordon University	Sheila Erskine: [email protected]

A postgraduate certificate in Practice Education is delivered by the University of Stirling.

Level	Training provider	Contact details
11	University of Stirling	Cath Shaw: [email protected]

Note: The PLQs were originally designed to be delivered at a range of levels but the demand for SCQF levels 9 and 11 has been low and most of the programmes at these levels have ended. 

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) means you can get recognition for the knowledge and skills you have already gained, to support your personal and career development and CPL. Prior learning can come from life experiences, school, paid or unpaid work, short courses or learning at college or university.   

You may be able to use your existing learning, providing evidence of your knowledge, skills and understanding, for RPL to gain credit points towards a qualification to shorten the normal period of study. You can gain some credit for RPL but it’s not possible to achieve an entire qualification just using RPL.  

Not all learning providers accept RPL, check with your chosen learning provider before starting your RPL journey. It can also support your CPL. 

Read the recognition of prior learning (RPL) guidance to help you through the process of how to gather evidence and how you learning provider will assess it.  

We lead the programme of work to complete a full Review of Social Work Education and the related guidance and requirements. We work in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Social Work Education Partnership (SWEP), a national body that provides a forum for partners, and the Scottish Government to ensure shared ownership, understanding and accountability across the social work education agenda. 

Review

We collaborated with key partners to complete a full review of social work education and the related guidance and requirements to ensure shared ownership, understanding and accountability across the social work education agenda. 

What we’ve done 

• Jointly published Valuing Practice: Scotland’s Framework for Social Work Education and Learning with Scottish Government. The framework is underpinned by the SSSC’s: 
  • Scottish Requirements for Social Work Education(Opens new window) 
  • Standards in Social Work Education and Ethical Principles(Opens new window) 
  • Standards for Post-qualifying Education and Learning in Social Work.

• Revised the Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers. 

• Implemented a new approach to continuous professional learning (CPL) for registrants. 

• Introduced a mandatory Supported Year for Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW). 

• Developed a national online resource for NQSW and their employers(Opens new window) in Scotland. 

Ongoing development  

We continue to lead on developments relevant to our regulatory role and are: 

• embedding a graduate apprenticeship route into social work 
• supporting approved providers to implement the Scottish Requirements for Social Work Education 
• supporting providers to embed the revised Standards in Social Work Education and Ethical Principles into their programmes 
• improving the transition between education and employment 
• supporting social workers and employers to use the Standards for Post-qualifying Education and Learning in Social Work 
• refreshing the NQSW CPL requirements.  

For more information, please contact [email protected]