Social Work – MSc

Why study this course?

Our Social Work MSc degree is accredited by Social Work England. Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you can then join the Social Work England register that all qualified social workers must register with to practise in England. 

Our course is rooted in the principles of equality and social justice. It covers a wide range of social work subjects, helping you to become a reflective and resilient practitioner who can work in a variety of settings. This may include working with children, families, older people or individuals with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

More about this course

The focus of this professionally-accredited Social Work MSc programme is to help you develop practical skills that are necessary for a successful career in the health and social care sector. Training is based on up-to-date research, academic theories, policy and legislation. You’ll develop knowledge in a number of relevant subjects including the application of law, assessment and planning, human growth and development, research evaluation, safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, as well as social work theory.

Crucially, we’ll ensure that you understand how to apply your academic knowledge, skills and theory to the real world of social work.

In your final year, you’ll write a dissertation on a topic of your choice. This is achieved through your own independent study. You’ll be free to combine research and evidence, current policy, practice and theoretical perspectives.

You’ll be taught by a team of senior lecturers who are registered as social workers. Alongside our senior lecturers, we invite service users, carers and practising social workers to contribute to your learning.

You’ll be encouraged to interact with this dynamic mix of teachers. We welcome your questions and contribution of ideas and experiences to classroom debates.

In year one you’ll undertake supervised practice within two different placement settings for a duration of 70 days and 100 days in year two. To prepare for these placements you’ll undertake 20 days of skills training prior to the placement and a further 10 throughout the remainder of your course.

If you successfully complete all modules but not the dissertation module, you can be awarded our Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. This option will also allow you to register with Social Work England. 

A key role of Practice Educators is to support your development of practical skills. This will make you more effective in a diverse range of social work settings.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:

Applied Law for Social Work (core, 40 credits)

Assessment Planning and Professional Ethics (core, 20 credits)

Development across the lifespan for Social Work (core, 20 credits)

Readiness for Direct Practice (core, 40 credits)

Social Work Practice Learning 1 – First placement (core, 0 credits)

Social Work Theories and Perspectives (core, 20 credits)

Year 2 modules include:

Research Mindedness for Practice (core, 60 credits)

Social Work Practice Learning 2 – Second placement (core, 0 credits)

Where this course can take you

You will be qualified to practise social work (subject to the requirements of registration with Social Work England) and be eligible to become a member of the British Association of Social Workers. This is of major importance to your career as a social worker.

Because of the diverse topics taught in this course, you’ll have the benefit of being able to work in multiple fields of social work.

Our graduates have taken up posts in both statutory and non-statutory settings and with different care groups. These include working with children and families, mental health settings, working with older people and supporting those with learning disabilities.