MA Social Work

As a social worker, you’ll have opportunities to make a real difference to some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in society. You could take your career in a number of directions with a master’s in social work, such as working in child protection, with young people in care, older people, people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, homeless people, people with drug dependencies, or with any other group of people with specialist needs.

The MA Social Work combines classroom learning and practical experience. You’ll study the context of social work, legal and policy frameworks, social work theory, psychological and sociological theory, power, discrimination, and anti-oppressive practice. You’ll consolidate this theoretical knowledge with two placements to put your learning into practice.

A typical week on this social work course will include lectures, seminars and workshops, with a strong emphasis on individual participation and discussion. During the first semester, you’ll also develop a Practice Skills Portfolio that helps you to reflect and make the best use of supervision.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you’ll find that a social work master’s degree requires a higher level of independent working.

Your progress will be assessed with assignments, written coursework, presentations, professional discussions and workbooks/portfolios.

Throughout the MA Social Work, you’ll have one-to-one support from academic staff.

MA Social Work is a highly practical postgraduate qualification. After successful completion of the degree, you’ll be eligible to apply to register with Social Work England as a newly qualified social worker.

Many social work jobs are with local authorities, but you could also work in an NHS trust, a voluntary agency, a charity, the criminal justice system, or other agencies helping people in need of support.

With a postgraduate social work degree, you also have the option to continue in academia and apply to study for a PhD.