The MA degree in Social Work provides the training necessary for you to apply to register as a social worker in England. You will develop knowledge and experience through both university and practice settings to prepare you for a rewarding and challenging career. You will develop both the understanding, skills and competence to make a difference in people’s lives.
Acquire the professional qualification to register as a qualified social worker with Social Work England
Gain substantial practical experience during placements and skills development experiences
Develop decision-making skills to enable you to undertake evidence based social work practice in partnership with people with lived experience and colleagues
Research-informed teaching
Course summary
The course focuses on developing your skills to engage with a diverse range of people, both adults and children, to address complex life challenges and enhance wellbeing. This will equip you to work in an exciting profession, promoting the rights and wellbeing of people, families and communities, through establishing and maintaining the trust and confidence of those people while acting with professional integrity and promoting ethical practice.
The social work programme meets current Social Work England Qualifying Education and Standards as well as Professional Standards and BASW. The programme and is led by research-active academic staff with contributions from social work practitioners, service users and carers as well as other professionals.
By the end of the programme, successful graduates will be eligible to apply to register as social workers with Social Work England.
Graduates from the MA programmes have consistently demonstrated high rates of progression into relevant employment.
We also offer a Professional Doctorate in Social Work for already registered social work practitioners. More information is available at the following links:
This professional qualifying programme continues for two full calendar years (24 months) full-time, starting in September. Teaching methods include seminars, lectures, workshops and skills workshops employing a range of teaching and learning methods. All parts of the course are compulsory. The programme incorporates the following elements:
180 Masters Level credits, of which 45 credits are awarded based on a dissertation and 135 credits through taught modules – these are to be passed at Masters Level, with a pass mark of 50%, for the award of MA; Assessment in line with the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) for Social Work comprises practice learning of 170 days and practice associated assignments all at Masters level.
In Year one of the course you must demonstrate your suitability for professional training in order to progress to the next stage of the award. This year will also introduce you to the general principles of social work. Year two aims to develop analytical, research and evaluation skills integrated with your developing practice, knowledge, skills and values. Each year includes practice learning in a social work setting.
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or overseas police check, and health checks are required to meet the Social Work England requirements for registration.
You would be expected to have some general knowledge of social services and broad social problems before you start your course. Although it is not a requirement for entry, relevant experience is recommended. You should possess a driver’s licence by the time of your first placement, to support your placement experience.
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Typical offer: 2:2 degree in any subjectAdditional criteria apply
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: 3 in Higher or Intermediate Certificate Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: 50% in Grade 11 Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: 60% in Senior Secondary School or Gaokao Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: C6 in Senior School Certificate Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: 6 or C2 in Secondary School Examination Maths, or Pass in Standard XII Maths, or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: C in KCSE Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject or 65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: 40% or GPA 2.5 in the School Leaving Certificate or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: C6 in Senior School Certificate Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: 33% in Higher Secondary Certificate Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject or Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: 4 in NSC Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: C in O-level Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: 6 in UACE or UCE Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: C in Ordinary Level Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
Academic entry requirements
The following entry criteria must be met:
A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or overseas police check, and health checks are required to meet the Social Work England requirements for registration.
You would be expected to have some general knowledge of social services and broad social problems before you start your course. Although it is not a requirement for entry, relevant experience is recommended. You should possess a driver’s licence by the time of your first placement, to support your placement experience.
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group D.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
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Funding
Eligible Social Work students can apply for one of a limited number of bursaries (grants) provided by the NHS Social Work Bursary fund. Further details can be found on the NHS Social Work students webpage.
Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.
We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.
Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost-effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2024 start date falls in the 2023/24 academic year. Please see the 2023/24 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2024.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our bursaries and scholarships webpages for more information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
This professional qualifying programme continues for two full calendar years (24 months) full-time, starting in September. Teaching methods include seminars, lectures, workshops and skills workshops employing a range of teaching and learning methods. All parts of the course are compulsory.
Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.
Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.