* UCAS Course code: L501
The main aim of this programme is to produce competent, reflective, analytical and research-minded social workers, who are vocationally qualified, with advanced knowledge and skills to bring about innovations through collaborative practice and continuous learning.
The programme has been accredited since 2010 and is now subject to annual monitoring and validation by Social Work England (SWE). The content and delivery of the programme is subject to continued input from a range of stakeholders, with support from an established service user group; practitioners; and both former and current students. Our teaching methods facilitate participative learning, with students engaging with practice scenarios in our simulation suite.
The School of Social Science has an active research base framed within the spheres of social justice and radical social work and prides itself on a policy oriented approach. The MA is taught within this ethos and students are encouraged to consider questions about inequalities in social work policy and practice and how they might be countered. The social work team are all research active and contribute regularly to relevant social work journals. The team has expertise in children and family social work, theorising childhood, racism and anti-racist social work, mental health and mental health user movements, youth justice, radical social work histories, community engagement and international social work.
The School also organises regular conferences that give students the opportunity to engage with some of the leading social work academics in the country. In recent year’s we have also been facilitating ‘Integration Days’ providing opportunities for social work students to further develop the links between theory, research and practice. We have held Integration days based around ‘race’ and ‘LGBTQ+’ with guest speakers from nationally known writers/campaigners and local community organisations, with small group discussion enabling students to work together to develop key themes.
The programme also offers opportunities for students to take part in field trips to Palestine, Turkey and Michigan, USA. In addition, students can opt to undertake part of their practice placement in India or Gambia.
Social Work England (SWE)
All students are allocated an academic tutor and integrated seminars will be held throughout the two years to allow for more focussed discussion and an examination of issues in greater depth. The programme is a combination of structured academic learning and 200 days of practice learning (this will consist of 30 skills days plus 170 days in practice placement). The academic teaching is delivered in Year One from September to December and in Year Two from September to February. The practice placements are from January to May in Year One and from May to September in Year Two.
Year 1:
In Year 2:
Total of 20,000 words consisting of:
Dissertation preparation begins in the second half of year 1 and continues throughout year 2 through a combination of lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials.
Academic assessment is through a combination of methods including: essays, case study work, presentations, book/journal paper reviews and seminar work. The pass mark on all courses is 40 per cent (at Masters Level) and students must pass each and every element of assessment on all courses to proceed and gain their degree and qualification.
Practise capability is assessed by service user feedback, observation, and practice portfolio work. You will be assessed by a practise educator during your placements and your portfolio is examined by a Practise Assessment Panel comprising academic and agency staff. You must pass your practise placement and portfolio.
The degree is full-time for 24 months commencing in the first year in the third week of September with induction and preparation for practise. Teaching is full-time then until Christmas. All academic assignments must be completed before going out on placement. Placements start in January and normally finish by early June. You then return to the University in late June for dissertation preparation. The second year follows a similar pattern except that the year begins in September with further dissertation preparation and the placement starts in May. The dissertation must be submitted by the end of April before commencing placement.
Normally a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours Degree
GCSE Grade C or above in English (Grade 4 or above in the new grading system) or equivalent before application
Appropriate and relevant experience
Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formally the Criminal Records Bureau – CRB).
All candidates subject to interview and satisfactory health check.
*All applicants must apply for this programme via UCAS.
For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.
For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages.
Practising social care professionals ensure teaching is relevant to the cutting edge of today’s social work agenda and teaching methods facilitate participative learning. The School has an active research base framed within the spheres of social justice and radical social work and prides itself on a policy oriented approach. The MA is taught within this ethos and students are encouraged to consider questions about inequalities in social work policy and practise and how they might be countered.
The Social Work team are all research active and contribute regularly to relevant social work journals. The team has expertise in children and family social work, theorising childhood, racism and anti-racist social work, mental health and mental health user movements, youth justice, radical social work histories, community engagement and international social work.
Tuition fees for Home/EU students for 2020/21 are £3,180 per year
We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.
International tuition fees for 2020/21 are £5,700 (provisional) per year, two year course
Social work is a large and growing sector which provides a wide variety of career opportunities. About half of Social Workers are involved in some way with supporting children, families and young people. However, if you prefer to work mainly with adults there are many specialist areas in which to develop your skills and your career, such as working with people using mental health services or enabling people with a learning disability to live independent lives. For more information see the British Association of Social Workers.