Create positive change and impact in the lives of vulnerable children, young people, adults and communities, promoting ethically sound professional judgements as a social worker.

Course summary

Study contemporary knowledge, legal responsibilities and duties of social workers.
Apply ethically sound professional judgements to social work practice situations.
Undertake practice placements in a range of social work areas and settings which meet Social Work England (SWE) standards and guidance.
Develop problem-solving and shared-decision-making skills to address complex social work practice issues – required for your registration as a social worker.

Over two years you’ll expand your knowledge and practice skills, integrating legal frameworks which impact upon individuals and communities within local and global social work interventions. Through direct practice you’ll develop social work expertise to analyse and interpret research, evidence and statute effectively – presenting an appropriate course of action and recommendations in an anti-oppressive, rights-based manner in the multi-cultural context of the UK.

This course was approved by the previous social work regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council. From 2 December 2019, responsibility for the approval of courses transferred to Social Work England. This course remains approved by Social Work England. This means that people qualifying from this course can apply to become a registered social worker.

How you learn

Our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. We take a global approach to social work – both individually and with student project groups – encouraging collaboration, professional curiosity, problem-solving skills and critical reflection.
You’ll explore case studies and real-world examples with practitioners and people with lived experience – intellectually challenging social work problems at national and global levels. You’ll develop evidence-based solutions, portfolios of evidence and transferable employability skills – preparing you to successfully register as a professional who makes ethically sound assessments and research-informed decisions.
You learn through:

Lectures and seminars
Specialist lectures from social work practice, carers and experts
Interactive workshops
Learning through reflection on practice
Professional portfolio
Presentations
Use of digital technologies
Directed learning
Independent learning

Future careers

Social work is an in-demand profession with a protected title. Our MSW is a professionally approved course which prepares you to become a newly qualified social worker. We have an excellent record of graduate employment – there are many aspects of employability skills designed into the modules and practice learning.

Previous graduates of this course have gone to work in:

Local authority children and families social work teams
Local authority adult social work teams
Safeguarding roles
Mental health low/medium secure units
Community mental health teams
Third sector organisations, like NSPCC, Womens Aid, Fostering Sector agencies

The course considers the Knowledge and Skills Statements for both adults and children's workforces. This provides key knowledge in preparation for your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).