Course summary
Develop your understanding of the theories surrounding social work, as well as their practical implications, to become a professionally competent, reflective and analytical social work practitioner. Course description Our Social Work MA is a two-year course which will equip you with a masters degree and a professional qualification recognised by Social Work England. You'll learn through a variety of methods, taught by enthusiastic, committed and research active academics, experienced in the field of social work. You’ll also learn from current practitioners, peers, service users and other highly-specialised professionals from a variety of backgrounds and organisations. You’ll develop a clear understanding of the use and application of theory in social work practice. In addition to your University-based studies, you'll undertake two one-hundred day statutory placements in South Yorkshire. Our collaborative relationship with the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership (SYTP) opens the door to practice learning experiences within five different local authorities, in areas such as children and families social work, adult social work and mental health teams. You can read more about placements below. Your practice learning is enhanced with University recall days and weekly personal study time, enabling you to reflect deeply on your placement experiences, discuss pertinent issues with your peers and be supported by your personal and placement tutor. Upon completion of this programme you'll have obtained the skills and knowledge to tackle the real challenges that face social workers of today's world. You'll be part of a workforce making a positive impact on the lives of many vulnerable individuals, families and communities. Placements Our MA in Social Work is part of the SYTP, offering two 100-day placements in either childcare or adult care statutory settings. These placements are carefully chosen to offer contrasting experiences in contemporary social work practice, enhancing your overall learning and experience. Both placements are 100 consecutive days long, in order to meet the Social Work England 200 days of practice learning requirement, an initiative unique to the SYTP and University. You'll develop strong relationships with local authorities whilst on placement, helping you gain employment within the SYTP and beyond following your graduation. The quality of the placement experience is reflected in the 100% employability of our graduates (Graduate Outcomes Data, 2020-21), showing that you will finish this programme highly qualified and ready to begin your career in social work/social care. If you have additional caring responsibilities, health issues and/or a disability, we’ll seek to place you as close to your home as possible. There is some flexibility regarding working patterns in most placements. However, when applying for this course, you should consider the demands of your caring responsibilities given that this is a full-time programme with two continuous 100-day placements in both years of study. If you would like to discuss the demands of the programme with our Admissions Officer before you apply, please contact us. Support Throughout your journey to completing your Social Work MA and becoming a qualified social worker, you'll be offered a variety of support, not only from the department but from the wider university and our local authority partners within the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership. Accreditation This degree makes you eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England as a qualified social worker. Please see our University website for the most up-to-date course information.
How to apply
International applicants
Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or equivalent
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree with at least 3 months of relevant work experience/volunteering in a caring role. We will also consider your application if you have a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree with 12 months of relevant work experience/volunteering in a caring role. Relevant experience can be gained from a voluntary or employed capacity and can include work with social welfare and community groups, children or young people, older people, disabled people, or those with mental health problems. It will require the candidate to provide evidence that they are able to call upon formative experience or from school or college placements, in a relevant health and/or social care setting. You must have GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4/C or above. Please make this clear on your application as we are unable to proceed with your application without confirmation. We accept alternatives to this, including: a minimum 12 credits for Mathematics or English GCSE equivalent unit, providing these are approved university and Access Validating Agency units. We also accept level 2 adult numeracy and literacy as valid substitutes, but not Application of Number. Before joining the course, you will be expected to have basic IT skills, including being able to use the internet, word processing software and email. As part of the admissions process you will be required to complete an online interview and test should your application be successful. English language requirements: Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
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
Provider information
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN