Social Work (Taught)

Overview
This two-year Master’s degree in Social Work will equip you with the skills and experience you need to become a professional social worker and make a real difference in the lives of children and families, mental health patients, people with disabilities or vulnerable adults.

The course combines theory and practice, and you’ll be supported by passionate industry experts with many years of social work experience. You’ll learn about the latest legislation, planning and policy, and put it all into practice in professional settings, with real people.

You’ll undertake two separate work placements – one in your first year and one in your second year.

The NHS bursary for postgraduate social work students can help with the cost of your fees, your living costs, and includes a contribution towards your placement travel expenses.

When you successfully complete the course, you'll have the skills and knowledge you need to apply to register as a social worker with the professional regulatory body, Social Work England.

What you'll experience

• Our staff are current and recent social work professionals

• Take part in skills days – full-day workshops with professional social workers to help prepare you for your placements

• Practise your skills in our Simulation Centre which features a realistic flat, bedroom and hospital ward where you'll prepare for home visits and care-giving in hospital and care home settings

• Work closely with our Social Work Inclusion Group – local social services users from a variety of backgrounds that help our students understand the needs of different individuals and communities

• Develop your critical and analytical skills with a dissertation project on a subject in your own area of interest

• Undertake two placements in professional practice settings which could be schools, supported living facilites, hospitals or health centres

Careers and opportunities
When you graduate from the MSc Social Work degree course, you'll have the knowledge and practical skills to work in any branch of social work.

What jobs can you do with a Social Work degree?
Career opportunities include:

• social worker

• practice teacher

• care manager

• persistent offender coordinator

• family support worker

• housing adviser

• homelessness/substance abuse charities

• PhD study

We'll provide you with as much support as possible in finding employment through close industrial contacts, careers events, recruitment fairs and individual advice.

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.
 
We design modules that have:
 
• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering
 
For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit the link to the course page.

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate-taught/msc-social-work#modules

Successfully shortlisted applicants will be invited to a staged, holistic and multidimensional selection day which has been designed in accordance with Social Work England's standards. All applicants must complete a written task. In accordance with Social Work England standards, the written element will assess applicants' command of English, ability to analyse and present written information, motivation to become a social worker, knowledge of the social work profession and relevant policies and legislation and ICT skills. Applicants who complete the written assessment will be invited to attend an individual online interview.