/media/ae1lp5kh/uws77711-web-background-2000x1200px.jpg?width=2560&height=1400&v=1daddc7e17cbdd0

Postgraduate Online Information Session

Explore your postgraduate options at UWS. Join our online information session to learn more and get your questions answered.

SIGN UP FOR A POSTGRADUATE ONLINE EVENT!

Overview

Our Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Child Protection recognises the continued high-profile of protecting children in Scotland and the importance and value of an integrated approach to recognising and responding to the needs of children and young people.

This PgCert has been designed to create an opportunity for inter-professional learning for those working in health, police, social work, education, the third sector and other related settings to enhance their knowledge of contemporary child protection theory that informs best practice.  

This PgCert delivers three modules focusing on current policy themes and practice requirements relating to children’s protection and wellbeing in Scotland:

  • Child Protection in Context
  • Protecting Children
  • Child Protection Practice

There will be five teaching and learning sessions for each module, delivered on campus, which will consist of seminars and group work, thus facilitating integrated multi-disciplinary approaches to child protection teaching and learning.

NB: Due to the policy and legislative context of the teaching and learning being based on that of Scotland, the programme may not be suitable for anyone working in another country.

/media/hsrh1nmq/pg-banner-bg-2000x1200px-02.jpg?width=2560&height=1400&v=1db24956732c870

Join a Postgraduate information session

Our events and information sessions are a good way to see what it’s like to study at UWS. They're the perfect chance to hear more from the UWS team and ask any questions. We have both on campus and online events throughout the year.

Join a Postgraduate Event

Course Highlights

  • This PgCert will facilitate the enhancement of your existing knowledge and skills in safeguarding and protecting children and, where desired, prepare you for a senior or specialist post
  • You’ll critically explore children’s rights, legislation, policy, theoretical frameworks and research and practice issues across professional and disciplinary boundaries, in a multi-professional learning environment
  • You’ll develop a child-centred perspective in addressing the protection of children and young people
  • This programme is delivered on a part-time basis over one year and utilises online self-directed learning which is supported by fifteen study days at UWS Paisley Campus. Students who live in remote and rural areas may have the option to attend the study days held on campus, online
Child Protection - PgCert

More information

You will have the opportunity to critically explore theoretical frameworks, research, and practice issues across professional and disciplinary boundaries in a multi-agency practice environment. You will also develop a child-centred perspective in addressing the protection of children and young people.

Attendance

The PgCert is delivered on a part-time basis over one year, and adopts a blended learning approach (we sometimes refer to this as HybridO), utilising online learning supported by twelve study days at UWS Paisley Campus. Students who live in remote and rural areas have the option to attend the study days held on campus, online.

You will use Aula, our Virtual Learning Environment, to study within a learning community with fellow students and staff. This is where lecture material and links to relevant websites can be accessed.

The best thing about this UWS programme was the way in which it allowed me to structure my learning in a very clear way. I had not studied a subject which related to Child Protection as an undergraduate however, from the outset, the lecturers presented the course in an extremely manageable way. The lecturers went out of their way to make themselves available to support students in any way required. This ranged from a quick phone call to a 1:1 meeting. From very early on in the term, I knew that I would receive all support necessary to successfully complete the course.

Entry Requirements

We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience

If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate & Post-experience Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.

You should normally hold an Ordinary bachelor's degree, although those with significant practice experience will be considered for entry.

All applicants must be able to draw from current practice experience in order to meet the PgCert’s assessment requirements. The Course Leader can provide more information prior to submitting an application.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.

* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:

  • native speakers of English
  • Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
  • non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
  • students whose previous degree-level study has been taught and assessed in English in what UK Visas and Imigration (UKVI) define as a majority English speaking country

In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).

 

UWS & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST SYSTEM (IELTS)

At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:

Undergraduate (bachelor's - BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc etc.) degrees and postgraduate (master's - MA, MBA, MSc etc.) taught degrees

  • the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

Postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.)

  • the CEFR equivalent requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.

† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information). 

 

IELTS SCORE EXCEPTIONS (RESEARCH DEGREES, BIOMEDICAL & PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREES, NURSING & MIDWIFERY DEGREES WITH NMC REGISTRATION, SOCIAL WORK DEGREES, CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ETC.)

RESEARCH DEGREES

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 6.5
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.0

HEALTH & MIDWIFERY AWARDS

For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and
  • score of at least 6.5 in writing

PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREE

Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.5

BIOMEDICAL DEGREES

For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 6.5

SOCIAL WORK DEGREES

Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test score of less than 7.0

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 5.0
  • no sub-test less than 4.5

 

OTHER IELTS EQUIVALENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS

In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests

 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFACTIONS ACCEPTED FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS

UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications

 

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:

    • 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
    • 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
    • English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).

Find out more about our English language Courses.

Career Prospects

Jobs

You will be equipped to take on specialist child protection roles or be promoted to senior child protection roles within your agency such as:

// Nurse Consultant
// Social Work Team Leader/Manager
// Specialist Child Protection Posts in Education
// Child Protection Committee Lead Officer
// Child Protection Advisor
// Child Protection Training Posts/Roles

Further Study

Upon graduation you could continue your studies towards obtaining an MSc in a related discipline area.

Postgraduate Tuition Fees

Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2024-25

Scottish

£1,070 per module (20 credits)

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£2,570 per module (20 credits)

More on tuition feesand funding

Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2025-26

Scottish

£1,070 per module (20 credits)

All other UK & Republic of Ireland

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£1,680 per module (20 credits)

International (all other EU plus Non-EU)

£2,570 per module (20 credits)

More on tuition feesand funding

How to apply

Postgraduate courses (MA, MSc, MEd, MBA, DBA, PG Cert, PG Dip, etc.) & some Post-experience courses (CertHE, BA, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, etc.)

All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.

The first stage of the process is to complete the initial application form. You will then receive a follow-up email with further instructions relating to your application including documents that you will need to forward to support your application, e.g. degree transcripts and certificates etc.

Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.

Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate.

An ATAS certificate may be required for certain taught postgraduate master's degrees for international students at UWS.

For the latest information on ATAS and details of eligibility and how to apply for a certificate check the UK Government's dedicated ATAS web pages.

Get in touch

Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!

/media/2519/research-gravitational-waves-3.jpg?width=2560&height=1400&v=1db61c5a48f54f0

Research at UWS

With cutting edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, we aim to develop research outputs that have a tangible, early and positive impact on society across the globe.

Discover

We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.