Masters in Social Work

The Masters in Social Work (Hons) is a professional qualification which entitles you to apply to register as a social worker: a challenging and rewarding career.
This is an integrated Masters course ideally suited to applicants with no prior undergraduate degree level study. Applicants who already have an undergraduate degree may wish to consider our Social Work (postgraduate course) L508.

This four-year course, which includes two years of postgraduate study, provides an advanced alternative to standard three-year BA Social Work degrees. You'll gain a Masters-level qualification which is highly valued by employers. You'll have the opportunity to gain practice experience in a voluntary sector placement in your second year, followed by placements within diverse social work settings in Year 3 and 4. Service users and carers contribute directly to our teaching, giving you an unparalleled insight into the complexities of social work. Join a thriving School, internationally recognised for its teaching and research excellence and gain a solid foundation from which to begin your professional journey.

In Year 1, you'll study core modules which introduce social work concepts, fundamental social and sociological theory and social policy. The core modules in Year 2 will introduce more practical elements, building on Year 1's theoretical foundation. You'll develop essential skills for social work, which you'll have a chance to refine on placement with a voluntary organisation or independent social care agency. You'll also learn how to evaluate and develop service provision, and carry out practice-related research.

In the first half of Year 3 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.

As part of your fourth 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.