This module is suitable for any student eligible to engage at level 7 study who has a personal, professional and/or research interest in themes of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and all aspects of Gender-Based Violence.
This module is part of the University’s Understanding Domestic and Sexual Violence MA and PGCert courses. You will study alongside other students on these courses. The module is also part of the Professional Development MA/MSc course - a flexible course that you help design to take your career to the next level.
Overview
This module explores the impact of domestic and sexual violence and encompasses the multiplicity of possible direct and indirect effects of violence to the victim directly, on significant others and the costs to society.
The module is designed to examine the impact of violence from a range of cultural perspectives, which will also focus on faith and spiritual beliefs providing students with an in depth critical awareness of the multiple costs of domestic and sexual violence. This will enhance students’ personal and professional development through critical reflection in understanding the cross-cultural perspectives of domestic and sexual violence.
It is expected that all advertised modules will run, but there may be situations where there are insufficient students to make a particular module viable.
Career benefits
Undertaking this module can offers practice-based focus, provides students with a range of transferable skills. The module specifications are applicable to a variety of work environments dedicated to working with victims and survivors of abuse or with perpetrators of abuse.
Module delivery
Directed Learning
- Interactive lectures
- Multimedia resources
- Online learning activities
- Group discussion/debate
Self-directed learning
- Accessing relevant resources as requested by the lecturer or in relation to assessment
- Critical analysis/evaluation of resources including, but not exhaustive of, research, statistical data, journal articles, books, websites and reports
- Oral and written work as required for formative and summative assessment
- Use of an online reflective journal
Study location
The blended learning version of the module offers face-to-face teaching of 2 teaching blocks of 2 full days on the University campus with a series of 6 online learning activities.
The online learning version of the module offers 2 teaching blocks of 6 half days online with a series of 6 online learning activities.
Entry Requirements
Prospective students will be required to have:
- A relevant first degree gained at a 2.1 (or equivalent level) in a health related or social science discipline, or similar subject discipline
or - A relevant professional qualification and experience, including but not exclusively, Social Work, Police, Probation, Health and Education
or - Current or past experience (a minimum of six months) of working with victims or perpetrators of Domestic and Sexual Violence.
The minimum requirement of six months will be assessed with evidence provided by the prospective student as detailed in the Personal Statement of the application form, this will also be verified by a request for a reference by the service manager or supervisor.
The programme encourages and welcomes applications from individuals of good character and personal integrity, who adheres to principles of anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practices within their personal and professional contexts. These qualities may be provided as evidence in the Personal Statement as part of the application process for consideration by the Applications Tutor.
Overseas applicants whose first language is not English, will need a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for the level 7 course.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Postgraduate Professional Development Team
PG.ProfessionalDevelopment@worc.ac.uk
Dr Claire McLoone-Richards
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Community, Social Justice and Health
c.richards@worc.ac.ukAdmissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111