At 21 years old, Stephen Magill is studying for the Degree in Social Work on the Relevant Graduate Route (RGR) course at Queen’s University Belfast. Having gotten his start with a legal degree, Stephen has taken the step to follow his passion for supporting people, which was fostered at a young age through helping his ageing grandparents.
“I suppose I always loved supporting people in whatever ways I could growing up,” Stephen says of his trajectory into social work. “I was brought up visiting and helping out with a lot of elderly relatives. I watched my parents looking after their parents and then as I got older I started to help out with my maternal grandmother, and subsequently grandfather.”
Around this time, Stephen chose to pursue a law degree when completing his A-levels. “My first preference was law and my second was real estate. I never thought I would get the marks for law, but ended up doing far better than I ever expected.” Whilst Stephen enjoyed his legal studies, he felt drawn towards supporting people on a more practical level and as a career.
Encouraged by his mother, Stephen began to consider a career in social work. “I hadn’t considered a professional job in social work, but I looked into it after my mum suggested it, and then I got an email about the RGR course. Through my research I found the course at Queen’s and it ticked all my boxes.”
The RGR route is a two-year course leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. It is available to those who have graduated with a degree in a relevant subject such as law, sociology, psychology, criminology and other related degrees.
Through the two-year course at Queen’s University, Stephen is spending half of his time in university and the other half on placement to get real, hands-on practical experience. He credits the outstanding lecturers at Queen’s for making the course such an amazing experience.
Additionally, Stephen credits the varied ages, experiences and backgrounds of his fellow classmates for enriching experience he has had access to. “There are students coming from lots of different academic backgrounds, psychology and law degrees and others, who bring so much to the course, as well as those who have already worked in the real world, like in care homes and residential homes. The information they bring to discussions is fascinating and we can learn from everyone’s experiences.”
With modules including ‘Introduction to Social Work’, ‘Law for Social Workers,’ and his favourite ‘Preparation for Practice Learning’ – which involves role playing and practical skills, under his belt, Stephen is looking forward to completing his first practical placement where he will support children and young people with learning and physical disabilities. “Most of my informal experience has been with elderly people, so I am looking forward to the challenge of working with young people and those with a disability,” Stephen says.
Through the support of his peers, lecturers, tutors and family, Stephen is confident his decision to pursue a career in social work is the right one. “With social work, I feel like it’s more hands-on and a direct approach to caring. You’re trying to help people in so many aspects of their life,” he says.
While his upcoming placement with young people may open his eyes to a new approach, Stephen is hopeful about pursuing employment as a newly qualified social worker with older people once he has successfully completed the Degree. “I feel very confident and sort of comfortable with elderly people. I have had years of unpaid experience caring for my own family members, so I feel drawn to that field or toward hospital social work. But I’m keeping an open mind and look forward to learning more over the coming months.”
Feeling inspired?
You can find out more about the Degree in Social Work – both the undergraduate and relevant graduate routes – and how to apply for it here. You can also view our animation about the RGR degree here.
If you would like to discover more about the different pathways people have taken into studying the Degree in Social Work, visit our YouTube page for our playlist here.