Social workers work with a wide cross-section of society, including some of the most disadvantaged and excluded people. Our MA in Social Work provides a variety of opportunities for you to develop the knowledge, skills and appropriate values to work positively with people who have lived experience of social work practice.
Why study with us
- Values for ethical and effective social work practice are at the heart of the MA in Social Work course, underpinned by connection to people with lived experience of social work, research and the professional evidence base.
- You’ll spend at least 200 days (including 30 skills days) gaining different experiences and learning in practice settings. This enables you to build on your academic learning, developing a critical professional skills. You will demonstrate values-based practice to professional standards.
- Teaching takes a blended approach of lectures, seminars and in-person learning opportunities.
What you'll do
- In Year 1, the focus is understanding of the contexts for social work practice; self-awareness and self-development for resilience and effective practice; developing skills for working with others; developing and applying this knowledge, and learning from people with lived experience of social work practice.
- In Year 2 you’ll have the opportunity to build on your skills and knowledge from the first year to consider and work with key complexities and challenges in social work practice, be supported to reflect on your developing professional capabilities, and plan for your intended social work career.
- The experiences, messages and views of social work practitioners, service users and carers underpin the course and are drawn upon to support your development as an effective social work practitioner in response.
The tutors are really supportive – they tell you what your development areas are, helping you progress to your full calibre.
Modules
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
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Academic expertise
As part of the course you will have the opportunity to hear about the experiences of service users, carers, patients and public members via our community engagement and service user support groups (Comensus).
Future careers
Recent graduates of the MA in Social Work have gained jobs in social work teams in safeguarding/support roles, in children’s, young people and adult’s services, and with local authority, third sector and private organisations.
Entry requirements
Please note if your application is deemed unsuccessful subsequent applications submitted within the same UCAS cycle will not be considered.
- 2:1 degree and English GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent
- IELTS: grade 7.0 with no component lower than 7.0
- B3 from WAEC acceptable
- Applicants are required to attend a selection day when they will be interviewed for the course
- A satisfactory Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland) is required for this course
This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, this may include children. In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB).
Not got the grades?
Our courses with a foundation year could be exactly what you're looking for. They provide an alternative route to study for this degree.
Fees and funding
Scholarships and bursaries
We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.
Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.
Social Work Bursary (NHS)
The Social Work Bursary is available through the NHS Business Services Authority, it can help with study and living costs and is a grant not a loan.
Find out more about Social Work Bursary (NHS)NHS Learning Support Fund
If you are thinking of studying for a health-related undergraduate or postgraduate degree, take a look at what financial support is available.
Find out more about NHS Learning Support FundDependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package.
Find out more about Dependants BursaryCarers Bursary
If you need extra support because you have unpaid caring responsibilities alongside your studies.
Find out more about Carers Bursary
This course is delivered by the School of Health, Social Work and Sport
For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page