Social Work

Entry requirements

• Normally a minimum second class honours degree (2:1)
• GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English grade 4 (or C) or above, or equivalent, at the time of application
• Applicants must have sufficient recent experience (in employment, as a volunteer, as a service user or carer) in social care, health care or related voluntary setting to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the capabilities of a social worker as indicated at the entry level of the Professional Capabilities Framework. As a guideline, this period of experience is unlikely to be less than six months
• Applicants for who English is not your first language will be required to demonstrate evidence of English Language Competence equivalent to IELTS 7 with no element less than 6.5.

You will also be required to:

• Attend an interview*
• Demonstrate fitness to undergo social work training.

a. At the interview stage, you are asked to declare any health conditions or disabilities that may affect your ability to undertake a practice placement safely and effectively
b. Upon acceptance of a firm offer on the course, you are asked to complete an occupational health screening in line with national guidelines agreed with relevant professional bodies
c. Provide evidence that you do not have a criminal record that might restrict your opportunities to work with children or vulnerable adults. Candidates will be required as a condition of admission to undertake, or provide evidence of, a current DBS check.

*Candidates who are based overseas and cannot attend an interview in person may be interviewed remotely and should contact the admissions office (msw.office@durham.ac.uk) if necessary to seek advice.

Months of entry

October

Course content

The Durham MSW Social Work is an intensive course with foundations in research and real-world experience. Throughout the course you will engage with the knowledge, skills and values that underpin social work practice in relation to individuals, groups and communities.

The 21-month course is structured around seven modules. It combines academic training and a work-based research project with two practice placements, totalling 170 days, working with different service user groups. Practice experience of statutory interventions with children and families or ‘vulnerable adults’ is complemented by opportunities for innovative practice in the voluntary and independent sectors in areas such as family justice, homelessness, substance use, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, community interventions and self-advocacy.

The involvement of service users, carers and practice partners is integral to the course. This involvement, coupled with practical experience in multiple social work settings, ensures the MSW provides strong foundations to progress to any field of social work.

Our approach to social work is world leading. You will receive a high-quality education with foundations in research and real-world experience. You will be supported by social work academics, researchers and practitioners who are experts in their field, and who are aligned with our five research themes of 'Communities and Social Justice', 'Health and Social Theory', 'Higher Education and Social Inequalities', 'Criminal Justice, Social Harms and Inequalities' and 'Violence and Abuse'. There will also be plenty of opportunities to further explore the subject through debates with fellow students who join us from a range of career backgrounds and experiences.

As an MSW graduate you will be highly employable, joining our alumni community who shape social work policy and practices locally and globally.

Course structure

Year 1

Core modules:

Social Work in Practice introduces the areas of knowledge, values and skills that form the foundations of social work in practice, giving you an understanding from the perspectives of service users and carers. This module is delivered in parallel with Social Work in Context and is complemented by the Professional and Personal Development module.

Social Work in Context is preparation for your first practice placement. It provides an integrated understanding of theory and research in a number of areas that inform social work interventions: the historical and organisational contexts of social work; physical, psychological, socio-cultural and economic aspects of human growth and development, disability and mental health; social work theory and methods; and partnership working. This module is delivered in parallel with Social Work in Practice and is complemented by the Professional and Personal Development module.

Professional and Personal Development develops your critical understanding of professional development, reflection and reflexivity, and your skills in both reflective writing and reflective practice. The module also gives you an opportunity to identify your professional and personal development needs; explore the nature of the professional relationship; and to practice a range of professional skills within a classroom environment through practical exercises and case studies.

Social Work Practice 1 provides a 70-day practice-based learning opportunity to demonstrate your social work values, theory, methods and communication skills in practice with one or more service user groups (children, young people and families, people with learning difficulties or mental health problems, disabled people, older people and carers). You will also demonstrate your developing ability (QAA threshold level) to meet the Professional Capabilities framework for Social Work.

Year 2

Core modules:

Research in Social Work is an independent dissertation in a relevant area of social work which develops your critical understanding of, and skills in, the main approaches and methods of social research with particular reference to the use of research in social welfare practice settings. You will collect, analyse and present your findings in a 10,000-word report.

Advanced Social Work enables you to extend your knowledge, understanding and application of social work theory and methods and to achieve the relevant qualifying standards as set out within the Professional Capabilities Framework and Social Work England Professional Standards.

Social Work Practice 2 provides you with a 100-day practice-based learning opportunity to demonstrate: the application of social work values, theory, methods and communications skills in practice. This must be carried out in a different setting and with a different user group from Social Work Practice 1. You will further develop your ability (QAA exemplary level) to demonstrate proficiency across all domains of the Professional Capabilities framework for Social Work.

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.