Study the theory and practical skills of social work, and gain the training required to qualify and register as a social worker.

Our accredited Master’s degree in Social Work is designed for graduates with at least three to four months’ relevant work experience who want to qualify as professional Social Workers.

This two-year MA Social Work is approved by Social Care Wales so when you graduate, you will be eligible for professional registration.

Over the two years of study, you will gain an in depth understanding of the ethics and values of social work, social work practice skills and critical practice relating to the law around children and families and adult care, and the key theories and perspectives underpinning social work policy and practice.

Throughout your time at Cardiff, you will build upon and refine your critical research and analytical skills in relation to social work practice and policy and develop professional reflective practice techniques.

You will apply your learning and develop your workplace skills and professional networks by completing three Practice Learning Placements, amounting to 200 days over the two years, hosted by one of the nine Local Authorities in Wales with whom we work in partnership. The practical training will allow you to apply your theoretical learning to real life situations, working with diverse people who use services and carers

From communication skills to legal duties, professional decision-making to an understanding of socio-economic factors, our MA Social Work will equip you fully for the challenges you will face in social work.

Career prospects

Your professional development will be strengthened through strong tutorial support, a research-led teaching environment and access to a range of placement opportunities in specialist fields.

On successful completion of the course you qualify as a social worker and will be able to assume the title of Registered Social Worker. This enables you to become employed in a range of social work settings. We have a high employment rate for our students.