Course summary
This two-year professional programme is designed for people who want to qualify and practise as a professional social worker. The programme leads to a nationally and internationally recognised qualification in social work and graduates are eligible to register as a social worker with Social Work England. Completing the social work programme at Bristol means that you can work with both children and adults. You will support people to identify their strengths and build their self-confidence, help them to overcome problems in times of crisis, and link with other services. The teaching staff at Bristol include experienced practitioners who have worked in a variety of social work settings including child and adult safeguarding, domestic violence and abuse, school social work, foster care, physical and learning difficulties, mental health, youth offending, and hospital social work. At our research-intensive university, the programme's teaching team is also active in research, holding a wide range of funded social work research projects nationally and internationally. Working as a social worker requires an ability to appraise complex and difficult situations, drawing on social science research, social work theories and intervention methods. The MSc in Social Work combines university-based learning with two extended periods of supervised practice across two contrasting practice settings, together with skills training. You will develop values and skills as a reflective practitioner, appraising relevant evidence - including research - to evaluate your own and other people's work and to contribute to the development of policy and practice. Upon completion you will have a thorough understanding of social policies and a firm grasp of the legal powers and duties that underpin practice in England. To explore the programme in more depth, view these videos which include interviews with previous students: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7PgmFn2M_V9vyVJPY-XzRp1VRLplXSdf To be considered for enrolment in this programme you will need to demonstrate an understanding of social work (this could be within the United Kingdom or internationally). More general information about the role and duties of social workers in the United Kingdom can be accessed through the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2026/msc-social-work.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any subject and English and Mathematics GCSE grade 4 (C) or above or international equivalent. A Personal Statement must be uploaded (maximum 750 words) demonstrating evidence of interest in social work as a professional qualification and evidence of commitment and motivation to work as a social worker. Relevant work and life experience and understanding of social care, social work and commitment to the values and ethics of social work should be included. Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded. This should include any relevant health/social care related experience. One professional/work reference required from a social care related job/voluntary experience. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing: * evidence of relevant work experience in health/social care sectors. * a relevant postgraduate qualification. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £11300 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £11300 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £11300 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £11300 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £11300 | Year 1 |
| EU | £26700 | Year 1 |
| International | £26700 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website.
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU