The main aim of the MA in Social Work 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 new programme was developed in consultation with Social Care Service Users and Stakeholders, who are also, actively involved in delivery of the programme. Practising social car professionals ensure teaching is relevant to the cutting edge of today's social work agenda and teaching methods facilitate participative learning. The MA course is nationally recognised and validated and leads to eligibility to register with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) as a professional social worker.
All students are allocated an academic tutor and integrated seminars will be held throughout the two years to allow for more focused discussion and an examination of issues in greater depth. Full attendance for all academic learning and practise placement opportunities is expected and is monitored throughout the programme. The programme is a combination of structured academic learning and 200 days of practise learning. The academic teaching is delivered in Year One from September to December and in Year Two from September to February. The practise placements are from January to May in Year One and from May to September in Year Two.
Year 1 teaching provides grounding in social work law, ethics and methods. This study of law and methods is located within a wider theoretical context which allows students to understand the roots and origins of differing approaches and focuses on key social divisions and their impact on people’s ‘life-chances’.
In Year 2 you will engage with the ‘Grand Narrative’ traditions and with the debates surrounding professionalism, partnership working, power and responsibility. Contemporary issues in Social Work are explored with local practitioners from a range of statutory and voluntary sector agencies in the Merseyside region.
Dissertation preparation begins in June of Year 1 and continues throughout Year 2 (until placement) 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 Mathematics and 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 also we 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 Department 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 2019/20 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.
Please note you will pay £5,700 each year of the two year course if you are an international student.
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.