7May
PostgraduateCourse summary
The MSc Social Work is an accelerated programme for applicants who already have a first degree and want to embark on a career in social work. This two year course will fully prepare you for a professional career in the statutory or voluntary social work field. This course runs in close partnership with social work and social care agencies and local authorities based in inner and outer London boroughs as well as neighbouring counties where you will benefit from two practice learning placements – experiencing the world of social work first hand, learning from direct practice with qualified practitioners, service users, carers and other professionals. Practice based learning is integrated with college-based teaching and learning throughout the programme. The combination of a taught and practice curriculum breaks down barriers between practice, policy and research, meaning you will emerge from the course as a critically reflective practitioner who can work for the most vulnerable in society within an anti-oppressive framework. The Department of Social Work has a longstanding tradition of providing excellent social work education and training and has produced a wide range of research that has been highly influential in the development of social work practice. On completion of the MSc, you will have advanced knowledge of: sociology, psychology, social policy and law and their application to social work practice the contribution and application of social research to social work theories and practice the range of statutory, voluntary and private welfare organisations within social work agencies and in health, housing and educational environments the range of theories and methods needed for effective social work practice the social and individual origins of a typical range of needs presented to social work agencies values and ethics relevant to social work practice based on social justice the significance of inequalities and difference in working with organisations and social service users the significance of cultural diversity and anti-discriminatory practice in working with organisations, service users and carers.
Modules
Mandatory modules: Practice Learning 1; Human Behaviour in the Social Environment; Social Policy for Social Workers; Theories and Knowledge for Social Work Practice; Law for Social Workers; Practice Learning 2; Critical Social Work; Research Methods and Dissertation; Understanding and Working in Organisations.
Assessment method
Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework, examinations, presentations and a dissertation. Students are also required to successfully complete one 70-day and one 100-day practice-learning placement and attend all the mandatory skills sessions.
Entry requirements
2:1 UK Upper Second Class Honours degree (2:1); or overseas equivalent and Grade C or grade 4 GCSE English and Mathematics or equivalent (Level 2 Functional Skills Maths and English are regarded as an acceptable equivalent). A minimum of 6 months full time or 12 months part-time relevant experience working with vulnerable adults or children is required at the point of application. Preference will be given to applicants with a wide range of relevant experience and a 2:1 or above degree classification and overseas applicants must have an equivalent level of experience. Applicants with 2:2 (Honours) degree classification and extensive relevant experience will be considered. Normally we require a UK 2:1 (Honours) or equivalent in relevant subjects but we will consider a high 2:2 or relevant work experience. Candidates with professional qualifications in an associated area may be considered. Where a ‘high 2:2’ is considered, we would normally define this as reflecting a profile of 57% or above. To complete your application you will need to submit: A copy of your degree certificate if you have completed your degree A copy of your Mathematics and English results at Key Skills level 2 or GCSE level or overseas equivalent A copy of your CV to include the duration and responsibilities of any voluntary work, part-time work and full-time work you have completed. Additional information You are required by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) to have Mathematics and English at Key Skills level 2, equivalent to grade C at GCSE level. You will be expected to provide a reference from a current employer. All shortlisted applicants will be required to undertake the following selection process: complete a written test attend a group interview attend an individual interview write a reflective essay - to be completed in the applicant's own time. (Applicants invited for interview will be emailed the essay title and will have three weeks to complete the essay from the date of the email). Applicants are assessed against Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work - Entry Level You will also need to undergo a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure and provide a satisfactory health and personal circumstances declaration. Overseas applicants will complete a written test and an interview (on Skype) conducted with the Admissions Tutor.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £8600 | Year 1 |
| EU | £18200 | Year 1 |
| England | £8600 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £8600 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £8600 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £8600 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £8600 | Year 1 |
| International | £18200 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
All postgraduate fees are subject to inflationary increases. This means that the overall cost of studying the course via part-time mode is slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. Royal Holloway's policy is that any increases in fees will not exceed 5% for continuing students. For further information, please see our terms and conditions. Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the RCUK website.
The UK Government has confirmed that EU nationals are no longer eligible to pay the same fees as UK students, nor be eligible for funding from the Student Loans Company. This means you will be classified as an international student. At Royal Holloway, we wish to support those students affected by this change in status through this transition. For eligible EU students starting their course with us in September 2023, we will award a fee reduction scholarship equivalent to 30% of the difference between the UK and international fee for your course. This will apply for the duration of your course. Find out more
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2023/24 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX