Issues for Men’s Progression on English Social Work Honours and Postgraduate Degree Courses

This paper outlines the current knowledge base for men's experiences of studying social work in the UK. Given the relatively limited knowledge of these experiences, this paper also examines the findings from other literatures in order to inform this study, including nursing and primary school teaching educational literature. Men progress more poorly than women in social work, nursing and primary school teaching courses, and in other countries in addition to England. This paper also explores the educational experience of men in education and higher education more generally. The findings of a regression analysis are presented here. This analysis was conducted with secondary data from the GSCC of student progression on undergraduate and postgraduate social work courses in England between 2006 and 2011. Some potential reasons for these progression issues are identified from the related literatures and from the wider educational literature. Also indicated are some areas for further study to support a more diverse, representational profession and workforce.