Social Work MA

Study options Award

Duration

2 Years

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Social Workers play an important role in supporting individuals and families to achieve positive change in their lives. Our pre-registration postgraduate Social Work degree will prepare you for a rewarding profession with human rights and social justice at its core.

Regulated by Social Work England, our course will equip you for a career in social work within a diverse range of social welfare settings.

On completing the course, you will be able to evidence and demonstrate the standards and capabilities required for registration with Social Work England as Social Worker. The course will enable you to develop the core skills, knowledge and values fundamental to social work practice.

This pre-registration course is available to graduates already holding a degree from any discipline, looking to gain a social work qualification and registration with a professional body in approximately two years rather than three or four, providing an accelerated route into the profession. You will also be eligible to apply for the NHS Social Work bursary.

Teaching and learning are focused on a critical approach that considers both the structural and individual factors that impact on the lived experiences of those who require social work intervention. You will also complete a total of 200 days of practice-based learning across a range of engaging placements to demonstrate your capability as a social work practitioner.

The use of simulation to enhance teaching and learning is embedded throughout the course, bringing 'real life' practice into the classroom. We can realistically recreate various immersive situations, allowing you to practice your skills safely in a controlled environment, before going on to deal with real people. Replicating the challenges that social work professionals face means that you’ll be highly employable when you graduate with all the skills you need to succeed.

Our award-winning team of experienced staff are always on hand to support you and enhance your core social work skills and we work closely with stakeholders such as service user groups. We also have strong links with regional partner agencies who provide, not only high-quality practice-based learning opportunities, but also support with creative and innovative approaches to teaching on the course.

You will also have the opportunity for collaborative, interprofessional working as part of a wider, growing Health and Social Care postgraduate community at Staffordshire University.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Social Work

Work placements

A mandatory element of the course is the requirement to complete 200 days in practice based learning, this is in line with the regulatory requirements set by Social Work England. Throughout the course you will undertake 20 university based 'skills days', a significant number of these will take place in your first year, with a small number in the second. You will undertake two practice based learning opportunities, a 80 day placement in your first year, and 100 days in your final year. In each of these placements you will be expected to attend on a full-time basis, in line with the placement organisations usual working practices. These placements will take place in local, social care and social work providers across the west midlands region. As all placement providers are quality assured by the university, you will not be required to source your own placement, this will be managed by the university.

Our placements are located in the West Midlands region, particularly in the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent area. It is unlikely that we will be able to provide placements outside of the area.

Ideally, you should be a car driver or aim to have passed your test and have daily access to a vehicle by the start of your first placement, but no later than the start of your final placement. Whilst we do support students who cannot drive, an inability to drive and lack of daily access to a vehicle will limit the placement opportunities you can be considered for as many organisations will not accept students who cannot drive.

Course content

In your first semester of year one, you will gain the knowledge, skills and values essential to evidence 'readiness for supervised practice.' This include modules focused on core skills, social work law, values and theory. The next semester consists of an 80-day practice-based learning placement.

In the first semester of year two, you will broaden your knowledge and skills in critical analysis, building on your first year of study to analyse the role of social work in a range of contexts, both nationally and internationally, consider safeguarding across the lifespan and the role of research in social work practice.

The final semester of the course will be dedicated to the completion of a 100-day practice-based learning placement, alongside a dissertation. Both of the practice placements will be in the Stoke-On-Trent and wider Staffordshire area only. Placements further afield cannot be secured.”

Students are required to complete a total of 200 days practice-based learning. This include 20 'skills days' and an 80-day placement in year one, and a 100-day placement in year two. These highly rewarding vocational placements within the community will help ensure you are well prepared for life as a Social Worker following graduation.

All modules are 20 credits which equates to 200 hours of study time. The specific type of study time varies from module to module and includes scheduled teaching and learning activities, such as online lectures, webinars, videos and briefings, online interactive discussions, individual tutorials, on-campus presentations, simulation exercises, and discussion. Guided independent study hours will include accessing online materials, tasks, discussions, and recommended reading. Independent study hours include preparation of summative assessment and portfolios, reading and researching.

Professional body accreditation

Approved by Social Work England (SWE) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with SWE as a social worker in England.

Modules

Core Skills for Social Work Practice
Social Work Law
Critical Theory for Social Work
Critical Perspectives on Social Work and Society
Evidencing Capability – Practice Learning 1
Evidencing Capability – Practice Learning 2
Social Work in Context
Research for Contemporary Social Work Practice
Evidence based decision making across the lifespan
Dissertation

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Core Skills For Social Work Practice	N/A
Critical Perspectives On Social Work And Society	20 credits
Critical Theory For Social Work	20 credits
Evidencing Capability - Practice Learning 1	N/A
Social Work Law	20 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Dissertation	60 credits
Evidence Based Decision Making Across The Lifespan	20 credits
Evidencing Capability - Practice Learning 2	N/A
Research For Contemporary Social Work Practice	20 credits
Social Work In Context	20 credits

Entry requirements

Undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above, or undergraduate degree at 2:2 with two years or more of relevant professional experience. Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4 / C or above, or any accepted equivalent Level 2 qualification.

A minimum score of 7.0 overall in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment (or an equivalent assessment) if English is not your first language.

You will also need undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a health check to inform decisions regarding support and suitability for the course. However, disclosure of physical or mental health issues, or specific learning needs at any point of the recruitment process, will not affect whether you are offered a place on the course.

If a conditional offer of a place is made, a health check is undertaken through a student self-declaration, initial occupational health screening and if appropriate, occupational health assessment, to inform decisions regarding support and suitability for the course.

Applications

Applications can be made directly to the University using our online application form – or via UCAS using the link at the bottom of the page.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

Facilities

Community House (Stoke)

A fully furnished house used for simulated, scenario-based training. It includes audio and video facilities to record simulated exercises and allow detailed tutor and peer feedback.

Mock Courtrooms

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court.

Video

Clinical Simulation Suite (Stafford)

These state-of-the-art labs allow a number of clinical procedures to be simulated on mannequins, enabling students to reach a level of confidence and proficiency before carrying out procedures on real patients.

Video

Immersive Technologies

This collection of rooms and resources allows for exploration and development with Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies.

Video

Libraries

We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.

Careers

This pre-registration course is available to graduates already holding a degree from any discipline and looking to gain a social work qualification and registration with a professional body in approximately two years as opposed to the usual three or four, providing an accelerated route into the profession.

Our course is therefore ideal for anyone who is caring and compassionate and looking for a change in career direction to really make a difference in peoples’ lives.

Upon successful completion of the MA Social Work, graduates will be eligible to apply to register with Social Work England as qualified Social Workers. This internationally recognised qualification opens up a whole world of opportunities. Many of our Social Work graduates gain employment with our placement providers studying at postgraduate level can lead to a wider range of job roles at a higher level.

Eager for more knowledge? The MA Social Work course is the perfect foundation for higher level, more research focused study and upon completion, you will be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

On this course, you will learn via a combination of masterclasses, workshops, rehearsals, seminars, production meetings and tutorials. Independent study and research also constitute an important part of your learning. You will be given reading assignments on a regular basis. Tutors will provide supporting materials and formative and summative assessments to help you.

On this course, you will learn via a combination of lectures, pre-recorded and live online webinars, small group workshops and tutorials. Students will take part in flipped learning, attend practitioner-led sessions and undertake simulation exercises alongside more 'traditional' teaching methods.

Independent study and research also constitute an important part of your learning. You will be given reading assignments on a regular basis. Tutors will provide supporting materials and formative and summative assessments to help you. You may also be directed to podcasts, documentaries, and news articles as part of your independent learning. You will also be expected to undertake independent critical reflection on practice and learning.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are.

Assessment

A range of assessment methods will be utilised throughout the course. Enhanced by technology and simulation, formative assessment will be ongoing within each module. Written assignments, presentations, exams and simulation amongst others are built into the summative assessment strategy to ensure that all students have the opportunity to shine.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it is important for you to be able to evaluate your progress. Your personal mentor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Feedback will be provided both formally and informally by module tutors, allocated academic mentors and the programme lead. Informal verbal and written feedback will be provided and utilised as a tool to aid in reflection and development. Students will receive formal written feedback focused on summative assignment, and where appropriate, will be offered individual tutorials to discuss this further.

Staff

Our award-winning team of experienced staff are always on hand to support you and enhance your core social work skills

All teaching staff are qualified and experienced social workers and academics. The core staff team has a range of specialist knowledge in research, safeguarding across the lifespan, and critical perspectives on social work in contemporary society.

As part of our commitment to increase and improve standards of social work education at a higher level, we are a member of the West Midlands Teaching Partnership. https://www.wmteachingpartnership.org.uk/

Jacob Finney

Senior Lecturer

Jake is a Senior Lecturer and Masters course lead in Social Work at Staffordshire University. Jake has also worked as a qualified Social Worker, Practice Educator and Team Manager in both London and Stoke-On-Trent.

Jacob's profile

Rebecca Ford

Course Director And Social Work Lead

I am a qualified social worker and practice educator, with 15 years experience in practice with children and their families in statutory settings. Working with and safeguarding older children, has been a driving factor throughout my career.

Rebecca's profile

Dr Sharon Mallon

Senior Lecturer

Fees

For the course starting on 13 January 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MA-Full-time
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Full-time	£6,500 per year of study	£9,500 per year of study

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Sources of financial support for UK/Channel Islands students:

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,222 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Scholarships and additional funding

UK/Home students may be eligible to apply for the NHS Social Work bursary. Please note that our course has a limited allocation of bursary places so we will operate a system of nomination -please contact the Course Lead or Course Director l you wish to get further information.

For more information on financial requirements for international applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK, please see: Help submitting financial evidence documents

Apply

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MA	Full-time	13 January 2025	Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.