Social Work

The MA in Social Work delivers a professional qualification combined with an academic award. Successful completion of the course means individuals are eligible to apply to join the Social Work England register which is a requirement in order to practice as a social worker in England.

The course dynamically integrates theory and practice embracing both learning in the classroom and in placement settings. The course provides a generic learning opportunity encompassing all service user groups and every effort is made to involve service users, carers, practitioners and managers from across the social work arena in the learning experience

While the course works to the UK points of reference including the QAA benchmarks and the requirements of Social Work England, the course team also embrace the International Federation of Social Work's definition: The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work

Key features

• Taught by experienced and passionate staff with practice experience from a wide range of practice areas
• Relatively small cohorts taught in small classrooms
• Simulations conducted in a house to develop practice skills
• People with lived experience of health and social care services involved at all levels of the programme
• Outside of the placement requirements academic study is designed to be flexible around the needs of those with family and work commitments with supported independent study which students can manage flexibly alongside teaching sessions
• Department of health bursaries are available for eligible home students – more information can be found at https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/student-services

Teaching and assessment

The course is offered as a two-year full-time degree course. During the taught elements students will be in the university for a minimum of two days per week and during the placement periods will be in the agency 4.5 days a week over the course of both years.

While the expectation is that students register for and complete the Masters award (180 credits), some students may for various reasons not meet the full requirement but may be able to claim an interim award: Postgraduate Certificate in Social Welfare Studies (minimum 60 credits) or Postgraduate Diploma in Social Welfare Studies (minimum 120 credits).

Applicants should note that only the full MA Social Work award will enable them to apply for registration with Social Work England as social worker.