Social Work

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The MA in Social Work is a professional qualification in social work. At the same time as working for your Masters degree you will be training as a social worker, gaining the knowledge and skills needed for effective professional practice. You will be able to apply to the General Social Care Council (the professional body for social work) for registration as a social worker.

The programme aims to train reflective practitioners who work in an anti-oppressive way and are able to help people appropriately. As well as requiring completion of practice-based and academic learning to a satisfactory standard, the MA award will include the successful completion of a 16,000 word dissertation.

The programme has a strong focus on practice and learning from practice. The programme is delivered by a partnership between the University and a number of agencies in the region which provide practice learning opportunities in a wide variety of settings, with a range of service user groups and approaches. 200 days of practice learning are spent in at least two different settings over the two years. Practice learning will provide students with opportunities to develop skills in assessment, planning, intervention and review, and also in partnership working across professional disciplines and agencies.

The programme is designed so that students' academic learning supports and is integrated with their practice learning. The programme provides opportunities for students to acquire theoretical and research-based knowledge relevant to practice, an understanding of models for practice, knowledge of the law, and skills in communication. Essential areas of knowledge covered will include: human growth and development, mental health, and disability. Teaching staff draw extensively on practice and on evidence-based research, and service users, practitioners and managers are all involved in the delivery of teaching. The programme involves students in a range of learning and teaching environments, including tutorials, small groups, and lectures. During the first year of the programme, core enquiry groups of around ten students facilitate the integration of learning from a range of different fields.

The system for written work ensures that students make use of experiences encountered in practice so that academic performance does not become detached from practice. There is a substantial choice of topics within the general guidelines of balancing range and diversity with special interests. Both written work and practice are evaluated. Final assessment of a student's fitness to practice is made by professional educators and qualified and experienced social workers, taking into account the views of service users.

We encourage applications from all sections of the community and welcome applications from black and ethnic minority groups, individuals returning to work after acting as carers, and disabled people.

Course Structure

Year 1

* Frameworks for Practice
* Human Development
* Social work law and social policy
* Social Work Assessment and Intervention
* Evidence and Knowledge for Practice
* Interviewing skills with individuals and families
* Preparation for practice
* Reflective practice
* Core Groups
* Practice learning 1
* ICT for Social Work

Year 2

Choice of options:

* Children and families
* Health and disability
* Mental Health
* Youth social work

Plus:

* Practice learning 2
* Dissertation

Academic * Students accepted onto the course usually have a second class honours degree or better. * GCSE maths and English at grade C (or equivalent, such as adult numeracy and literacy at level 2 * Note that candidates will not be called for interview without maths and English unless their application contains evidence of a plan to obtain the above before entry.Work ExperienceThe equivalent of one year's full time work experience in a social care, health care or related voluntary setting is usually required. Alternatively, having undertaken a caring role in a personal capacity may be accepted as relevant experience.OtherTo be accepted on the programme students are required to undergo a check with the Criminal Records Bureau and to make a satisfactory health declaration. Having either a criminal conviction or a health condition is not an automatic bar to entry but failure to disclose relevant information may result subsequently in termination of training.Admission to the course is by an interview. Interviews take place from November to AprilIf English is not your first language then we usually require an IELTS score of 7.0 for admission. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.