Course summary

The MSW Social Work is an intensive course with foundations in research and real-world experience. Throughout the course you will engage with the knowledge, skills and values that underpin social work practice in relation to individuals, groups and communities. The 21-month course is structured around seven modules. It combines academic training and a work-based research project with two practice placements, totalling 170 days, working with different service user groups. Practice experience of statutory interventions with children and families or ‘vulnerable adults’ is complemented by opportunities for innovative practice in the voluntary and independent sectors in areas such as family justice, homelessness, substance use, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, community interventions and self-advocacy. The involvement of service users, carers and practice partners is integral to the course. This involvement, coupled with practical experience in multiple social work settings, ensures the MSW provides strong foundations to progress to any field of social work. You will receive a high-quality education with foundations in research and real-world experience. You will be supported by social work academics, researchers and practitioners who are experts in their field, and who are aligned with our five research themes of 'Communities and Social Justice', 'Health and Social Theory', 'Higher Education and Social Inequalities', 'Criminal Justice, Social Harms and Inequalities' and 'Violence and Abuse'. As an MSW graduate you will be highly employable, joining our community who shape social work policy and practices locally and globally. Year 1 Core modules: Social Work in Practice introduces the areas of knowledge, values and skills that form the foundations of social work in practice, giving you an understanding from the perspectives of service users and carers. Social Work in Context is preparation for your first practice placement. It provides an integrated understanding of theory and research in a number of areas that inform social work interventions: the historical and organisational contexts of social work; physical, psychological, socio-cultural and economic aspects of human growth and development, disability and mental health; social work theory and methods; and partnership working. Professional and Personal Development develops your critical understanding of professional development, reflection and reflexivity, and your skills in both reflective writing and reflective practice. The module also gives you an opportunity to identify your professional and personal development needs; explore the nature of the professional relationship; and to practice a range of professional skills within a classroom environment through practical exercises and case studies. Social Work Practice 1 provides a 70-day practice-based learning opportunity to demonstrate your social work values, theory, methods and communication skills in practice with one or more service user groups (children, young people and families, people with learning difficulties or mental health problems, disabled people, older people and carers). Year 2 Core modules: Research in Social Work is an independent dissertation in a relevant area of social work which develops your critical understanding of, and skills in, the main approaches and methods of social research with particular reference to the use of research in social welfare practice settings. Advanced Social Work enables you to extend your knowledge, understanding and application of social work theory and methods and to achieve the relevant qualifying standards as set out within the Professional Capabilities Framework and Social Work England Professional Standards. Social Work Practice 2 provides you with a 100-day practice-based learning opportunity to demonstrate: the application of social work values, theory, methods and communications skills in practice.