Social Work MA

Overview

The MA Social Work programme offers a dynamic two-year course which equips students with the requisite skills, knowledge and capabilities to graduate as a professional Social Work practitioner ready to make a difference within the contemporary social care arena

Social Work continues to be a key professional role within UK society, seeking to promote social justice, address inequality and facilitate self-determination in those individuals and families requiring formal support. The MA Social Work programme aims to prepare students for professional practice through a 2-year Postgraduate course which blends key academic modules and rigorous placement experiences which focus on required professional standards appropriate to the delivery of assessment and support for those in need within our communities.

Course Details

The MA Social Work programme is a challenging but ultimately rewarding route to professional qualification within a dynamic and multi-faceted career. The programme itself is aligned with the education and professional standards of the current professional regulator: Social Work England, additionally the academic and practice-focused material links with the British Association of Social Workers, Professional Capabilities Framework which starts at entry to the programme and follows professional development through to qualification.

The programme offers opportunities to develop academic/professional skills such as analytical report writing, assessing and managing risk, developing an understanding of the application of legislation in practice, evidence-based and theory linked practice plus direct work with families, children and other professionals. A key focus within the programme is the skills development linked to practice placement experiences which enable students to further, test, analyse and develop their Social Work skills with a range of organisations and individuals.

We have a broad range of placement providers which enables us to match students to suitable placements in the arenas of children in need, adults with mental health needs, youth offending, child protection/adult safeguarding, domestic abuse and education. All placements are quality assured by our dedicated placement team and full support is offered to all students whilst on placement via on-site or long-arm Practice Educators.

Professional Body

The programme is approved by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and supported by Social Work England (SWE).

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is varied and can be in the form of essays, reports, presentations, practice assessment and there is a law exam.

The programme is modular in design with all modules listed on the award map being mandatory and a pass grade is required on all items of assessment to ensure students can claim the full Social Work award. All assessments are first marked; usually by the module lead and a selection are moderated by another academic member of staff to quality assure the grading and feedback process. The programme has an External Examiner who also oversees samples of student work on each module, providing feedback at a modular and programme level supporting the development of the student experience.