MA Social Work

Social work is a human rights profession; be part of it. This course, unique to the UK, provides an opportunity for you to qualify as a social worker while at the same time engaging with debates around the importance of human rights and social justice in the context of social work practice. Building on the success of our existing Social Work programmes and the global reputation of the University’s outstanding human rights research, we’ve designed a new postgraduate approach to social work education.

Our Social Work students will not only acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to practice as social workers, but they will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of human rights in an inter-professional manner, alongside students and tutors from the University’s Law Clinic. Moreover, through our work with the United Nations, governments, human rights organisations and corporations all over the world, we bring a global outlook to our teaching. We’ve blended theory and practice throughout to nurture you from a trainee social worker to a confident professional practitioner.

You will explore the fundamental principles of human rights and equality, and examine how these doctrines will underpin your practice. You will also cover topics including: Service users autonomy, Social justice and values, Equality and diversity, Safeguarding and protection, Evidence-based relational practice.

Placement Opportunities

Within the School of Health and Social Care, we value the experience and opportunity that a placement can give you. It is an intrinsic part of many of our courses. You will do at least 170 days in practice placement during your time with us. Whilst on placement, your week will be divided between four days on placement and one day dedicated to academic work with significant input relating to critical, reflective and human rights based practice. Our partnerships with placement providers ensure you gain effective, high-quality training, allowing you to gain experience working with children, adults, families and communities. When you are on placement, the placement provider is expected to meet the travel costs incurred as a result of work carried as part of that placement (i.e. travel to meetings, etc). However, you will be expected to meet the costs of travel to and from placement. Social Work students may be eligible to apply for the NHS Social Work bursary, which can be put towards paying for tuition fees, maintenance costs, or travel to placement. More information is available on the NHS BSA website..