Course summary

Advance your career and make a meaningful impact on society with our MA Social Work. This two-year, full-time course equips you with the knowledge, skills, and professional experience needed to support and protect vulnerable individuals at all stages of life. Fully accredited by Social Work England (SWE), the course integrates academic study, hands-on skills training, and extensive practice placements, ensuring you develop the expertise required for effective and ethical social work practice. Through engaging lectures, seminars, and practical training, you will learn from academic tutors, experienced practitioners, and individuals with lived experience of social services. Our state-of-the-art facilities, including the Hydra simulated skills suite and courtroom, provide invaluable opportunities to refine your abilities in case analysis, report writing, and court proceedings. Alongside 30 skills development days, you will undertake two significant practice placements - 70 days in the first year and 100 days in the second - working in diverse settings to gain hands-on experience with children, families, vulnerable adults, and individuals with mental health needs. At the heart of this course is a commitment to social justice and inclusion. You will explore the impact of structural inequalities, social policies, and intersecting factors that affect individuals’ wellbeing. Through research and reflective practice, you will challenge preconceptions in a supportive environment, developing the listening and advocacy skills essential for empowering those in need. Professional accreditation Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England (SWE), opening the door to a fulfilling and impactful career. Specialist facilities Our course is the only one in the UK to use the expertise of the Hydra Foundation to develop your social work skills in interprofessional critical incident thinking and decision-making when safeguarding children and families. You will have access to other simulated environments during your course, such as our simulated social work office and courtroom.