Social Work (Postgraduate entry)

Develop yourself with a qualification that allows you to apply to register as a social worker.

Discover a career where you can make a real difference to the quality of people's lives. This course offers you both a Masters degree and a professional qualification. Our course lasts two years and will equip you with the skills and knowledge you'll need for effective professional practice as a social worker. It is suitable for graduates from a wide range of disciplines who are committed to a career helping people. You'll focus on professional practice and take part in two placements in different areas of social work. You will also gain skills and specialist knowledge that would be suitable for a wide range of careers in social work.

The Social Work (postgraduate entry) course is designed for applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent. Applicants who do not already have an undergraduate degree may wish to consider our Masters in Social Work (Hons) L507 which is an Integrated Masters degree combining both undergraduate and postgraduate study into a longer, single course, earning you a Masters qualification when you graduate.

Year 1

In the first half of Year 1 you'll prepare for your first statutory placement with a range of core modules which ensure you're ready for practice. You will explore the ethical, legal and policy contexts for social work, which will equip you to manage the competing pressures of social work practice.

The placement begins in the Spring Term and lasts for 70 days, after completion of a module designed to support your professional development.

Year 2

As part of your second year you'll undertake your final statutory placement. This will take 100 days and will contribute 40 credits toward your course. You will also choose a module that will allow you to study a particular branch of social work in more depth, and work on your dissertation.

You will work with a qualified social work practice educator who will support and assess you throughout the placement. Your placement is a chance to develop and follow your own professional interests, with guidance from our academic staff.

Types of assessment in this course include: essays, practical assessment of communication skills, presentations and reports, portfolios, placement supervision and assessment, 16,000 word dissertation. You'll also submit work that won't contribute to your final grade. This allows you to get feedback on your progress and understanding before you submit assessed work.