Social Work

Course Overview

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.

Course structure

How the course is taught

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 60 credits are awarded based on a dissertation and 120 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.

Taught Modules:
We expect to offer the same modules as found below. If the modules change we will inform you during the admissions process.

Modules Year 1	YEAR ONE Year one introduces you to the general principles of social work, and by building on social science knowledge, understanding and skills aim to enable students to further develop systematic knowledge, critical awareness, new insights and skills in relation to: the social context of social work; social work values and ethics; the legal system; the life course; social work with adults; social work with children and families; interpersonal communication professional practice. In your first year, you must demonstrate readiness for practice before being able to undertake your first assessed practice learning opportunity of 70 days and 30 skill days. The taught modules are: Power and discrimination Introduction to legal processes Social work theory and methods 1 Area of practice 1: children and families Area of practice 1: adults Life-course development Personal and Professional Development (70 days’ practice learning and associated assignments) Taught element (interpersonal skills, preparation for practice learning)
Modules Year	YEAR TWO Year two provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate your research capabilities. Analytical, research and evaluation skills will be developed in relation to: reflective practice; social work research; social work with adults; social work with children and families; social work practice. You will develop critical knowledge of your knowledge of research methodologies, and where appropriate, propose new hypotheses. In order to demonstrate an understanding of techniques applicable to your own advanced scholarship, you will be required to complete a dissertation of 15,000 words. You will undertake 100 days of assessed practice placement in a social work setting. Taught Modules include: Social work theory and methods 2 Social work research Area of practice 2: children and families (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk) Area of practice 2: adults (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk) Personal and Professional Development (100 days’ practice learning and associated assignments)
Dissertation	Dissertation 15,000-word dissertation (60 Level 4 credits)

Modules Year 1

YEAR ONE

Year one introduces you to the general principles of social work, and by building on social science knowledge, understanding and skills aim to enable students to further develop systematic knowledge, critical awareness, new insights and skills in relation to:

the social context of social work;
social work values and ethics;
the legal system; the life course;
social work with adults;
social work with children and families;
interpersonal communication
professional practice.

In your first year, you must demonstrate readiness for practice before being able to undertake your first assessed practice learning opportunity of 70 days and 30 skill days.

The taught modules are:

Power and discrimination
Introduction to legal processes
Social work theory and methods 1
Area of practice 1: children and families
Area of practice 1: adults
Life-course development
Personal and Professional Development (70 days’ practice learning and associated assignments)
Taught element (interpersonal skills, preparation for practice learning)

Modules Year

YEAR TWO

Year two provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate your research capabilities. Analytical, research and evaluation skills will be developed in relation to:

reflective practice;
social work research;
social work with adults;
social work with children and families;
social work practice.

You will develop critical knowledge of your knowledge of research methodologies, and where appropriate, propose new hypotheses. In order to demonstrate an understanding of techniques applicable to your own advanced scholarship, you will be required to complete a dissertation of 15,000 words. You will undertake 100 days of assessed practice placement in a social work setting.

Taught Modules include:

Social work theory and methods 2
Social work research
Area of practice 2: children and families (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk)
Area of practice 2: adults (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk)
Personal and Professional Development (100 days’ practice learning and associated assignments)

Dissertation

15,000-word dissertation (60 Level 4 credits)