MA Social Work
Manchester, United Kingdom
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 20,000 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
At the heart of social work is the promotion of human rights and social justice, and the protection of individuals and their families. It aims to bring about change through working in partnership with individuals, families and communities often at the point of distress and vulnerability.
Our MA Social Work course is approved by Social Work England. This means, that when you graduate, you can apply for professional registration to practice as a registered social worker. This two-year, full-time master's degree is designed for students with an undergraduate degree who wish to become registered social work practitioners. We'll make sure that you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the professional standards by the time you complete your course.
Features and Benefits
- Professional programme - You’ll complete a professional training programme while studying for a master's degree.
- Time on placement - You’ll undertake a total of 170 days in professional practice in order to appreciate and experience the complexity of the social work role and see the difference social workers make in people’s lives.
- Qualify as a social worker - When you graduate, you’ll have the skills you need to practise as a newly qualified social worker across all ages and service user groups.
- Approved course - Our course is approved by Social Work England when you graduate, you can apply for professional registration.
- Skills development - 30 days of skills development embedded in the programme.
Admissions
Curriculum
Course information
As our MA Social Work is an approved course, this means that once you successfully complete this qualification you’ll meet the professional standards set by Social Work England and can apply to be registered with them as a Social Worker.
Year One of MA Social Work focuses on developing your understanding of social work practice and your skills. In Year Two, we focus on professional development and preparing you for your role as a social worker.
Some of your learning will be delivered by people with lived or living experience and will include skills development including how to communicate and engage with people, and how to support, empower and respect the value of their experience.
Year 1
In year one you’ll study four core modules. We focus on developing your understanding of social work practice, the knowledge base of social work and baseline skills. You’ll be introduced to the legal processes involved and the theories which will underpin and support your every-day decisions and analysis in practice.
In the Social Work, Society and Lived Experiences module, you’ll consider the lived experiences of those who have contact with social workers to better understand contemporary society and social justice.
Core Modules
- Critical Theory for Social Work Practice
- Social Work, Society and Lived Experiences
- Applying Skills and Methods for Social Work
- Introduction to Law, Rights and Safeguarding
Year 2
In year two, we focus on more complex skills, professional development and preparing you for your role as a social worker. You’ll study three core units.
Core Modules
- Applied Social Research and Evaluation for Practice
- Critical and International Perspectives in Social Work
- Applying Law, Safeguarding and Inter-Disciplinary Practice
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Career prospects
Our MA Social Work course is approved by Social Work England. This means, when you graduate, you can apply for professional registration with Social Work England to practise as a registered social worker.
Our staff have excellent working relationships with employers. Employers support the ongoing delivery of the course and help you to develop your employability skills and improve your chances of finding work after you graduate.
You might work in a social services department within a local authority or for an organisation such as the NHS. Perhaps you’ll work for a private company, such as in a residential care home, or for a charity. You could also specialise in an area you’re particularly interested in, such as social work with children and families, social work with adults, social work and mental health. From working with children and young people leaving care, or people experiencing domestic violence to adults with learning disabilities, you could develop your career as a social worker across a number of different areas.
Program delivery
Study
- Full-time 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 40% placement; 35% independent study
Assessment
- Full-time 90% coursework; 0% practical; 10% examination