Course contact details
Admissions Office - Social Work
Email:swadmissions@bradford.ac.uk
Phone:01274 236088
University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford
BD7 1DP
Social Work (Postgraduate Entry) (Taught)
- Master of Arts
- 2 Years
- Full-Time
- September 2027
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
The MA in Social Work gives students with a first degree a professional social work qualification at Master's level.
The course will enable you to be a confident, competent, qualified social work practitioner. We offer a well established course with a national reputation for producing high-calibre workers. Our course is designed, managed and delivered by a Programme Management Board that includes practice placement agencies, students, lecturers and practitioners. Stakeholder involvement ensures that our course maintains a dynamic, outward-looking approach towards social work education with a clear focus on the needs of service users.
The course is built upon the following standards and requirements for social work training:
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the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for social care workers)
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the DOH (Department of Health) Requirements for social work training
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the College of Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework
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the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) benchmark statements for social policy administration and social work
Modules
Course Modules
Ethics, professionalism and reflective practice; interviewing and communication skills; law for social work; social work theories and methods; practice placement learning 1; social work with children and families; social work with adults; research methods for social workers; inter-professional working; practice placement learning 2 (100-day placement from January-July).
Assessment method
Our programme is built around placements in Bradford and the district, coupled with a clear system of curriculum development as you progress through the stages of the programme.
You will be assessed by the attendance of two practice placements: the first placement in year one and the final placement in year two. The placements will be with different service user groups and with a minimum of one placement that will allow you to undertake statutory interventions. These placements, along with the 30 days skills preparation and the teaching and learning strategies employed on the programme, will enable you to critically analyse and reflect on your practice and learning.
Placements are full-time: 5 days a week following usual working hours (e.g., 09:00 to 17:00 although the hours may vary for each placement setting). The first placement (70 days) will run between mid-May and the end of August in Year 1. The second placement (100 days) will run between January and June in Year 2. We have a dedicated team of Practice Learning Tutors who will manage and support you on your placement. You will need to be prepared to travel to practice placements within a 30-mile radius of the University of Bradford, and many placement providers will expect students to possess a full UK driving licence.
Our proven skills in teaching rest upon a commitment to clear learning outcomes, a structured system of progression, imaginative assessments and the provision of safe, stimulating learning environments. Our lecturers have a variety of specialist practice, academic and research skills as well as a commitment to providing high-quality teaching and learning.
All assessments test skills in critical analysis and reflective practice in the integration of the practice and theory of social work. Prior to starting each placement, you will be assessed on your ‘fitness to practice’ and suitability for social work training, and you will be expected to pass your placement at the required level.
Other forms of assessment include:
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essays
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blogs
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reports
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reflective pieces
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individual and group presentations and exercises
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recorded role plays
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digital story-telling and other practice exercises
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participation in virtual learning exercises
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VIVA interview
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelNot accepted
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HigherNot accepted
Access to HE DiplomaNot accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)Not accepted
Bachelor Degree2:1
An undergraduate honours degree at 2:1 or higher in any discipline (we will also consider applicants who hold a Master's level qualification).
Demonstrate that you have relevant work experience equivalent to a minimum of six months full-time work (approximately 910 hours).
This may be paid or voluntary work and could have been undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. Applicants are usually expected to have had a substantial part of such experience during the past two years and to have had experience which includes working with vulnerable groups. Applicants who have limited experience or who have had little or no relevant experience during the past two years should consider seeking relevant employment or volunteering via organisations, such as their local Council for Voluntary Services, local Children’s or Adult Services Departments, or local voluntary sector agencies.
Or:
An undergraduate honours degree at 2:2 in any discipline.
Demonstrate that you have relevant work experience equivalent to a minimum of 12 months full-time work (approximately 1820 hours).
This should be within a local authority social services team and could have been undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. Applicants are usually expected to have had a substantial part of such experience during the past two years and to have had experience which includes working with vulnerable groups. Applicants who have limited experience or who have had little or no relevant experience during the past two years should consider seeking relevant employment or volunteering via organisations, such as their local Council for Voluntary Services, local Children’s or Adult Services Departments, or local voluntary sector agencies.
Additional entry requirements
English GCSE Grade C (or equivalent)
As part of the selection process, we interview short-listed candidates prior to making decisions
All places are offered subject to satisfactory occupational health screening and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Possess an undergraduate Honours degree at 2.1 or higher in any discipline and demonstrate that they have relevant work experience equivalent to a minimum of 6 months full-time work (approximately 910 hours). Applicants are usually expected to have had a substantial part of such experience during the past 2 years and to have had experience which includes working with vulnerable groups in Britain.
or
Possess an undergraduate honours degree at 2:2 in any discipline and demonstrate that they have relevant work experience equivalent to a minimum of 12 months full-time work (approximately 1820 hours). This should be within a local authority social services team. Applicants are usually expected to have had a substantial part of such experience during the past 2 years and to have had experience which includes working with vulnerable groups in Britain.
In addition applicant will be able to demonstrate that, by the time they start the course, they will have acquired current and relevant underpinning knowledge from psychology, sociology and social policy, at a level, which will allow them to complete the MA.
Hold an English qualification equivalent to minimum GCSE Grade 4/C or above. Level of English required for non-native speakers: IELTS at 7.0 or the equivalent (with sub-tests not lower then 6.5).
All short listed candidates will be interviewed.
Acceptance is subject to completion of a satisfactory medical and Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Additional entry requirements
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
- Health Checks
- Interview
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We are proud to be one of the most inclusive universities in the UK. All our students have potential, and we believe that as many people as possible should have the chance to benefit from higher education, no matter what their background or circumstances.
We take the time to understand the background of our applicants, understand their journey to education, and make decisions based on an applicant’s potential to thrive at university and beyond.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland | £5238* | |
| Channel Islands, EU & International | £15700* |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
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