Social Work MA
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
- Start Date(s): January 2024
- Duration: Two years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
If you have a degree and experience in the Health and Social Care sectors and you wish to become a qualified social worker then this is the course for you. The course, which starts in January 2024, will provide you with an opportunity to both study and work in Children and Families as well as Adult Social Work giving you the freedom to plan and take forward your career the way you want to.
The Social Work Masters degree is a two-year full-time course which is approved by Social Work England (SWE). Therefore if you successfully complete it, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England.
We work closely with employers in the statutory and independent social care sectors to ensure that the course and placements provided reflect the latest developments in practice in terms of legislation, policy and multi-agency working.
Please note that applications for the January 2024 open from 6 March 2023
What you’ll study
The MA Social Work is approved by Social Work England (SWE) and is designed to be a broad course providing you with the opportunity to specialise in Children and Family or Adult Social Work. It is suitable if you wish to practice under English legislation.
During the course you will undertake one work placement per year, in which you will be supported by a qualified Social Work Practice Educator in order to help you get the most from your experience.
Please note that whilst there is no academic credit attached to the practice learning opportunities – you must pass the associated assessed written work for each at masters level and this will be graded by the academic team.
You'll also study a range of taught modules.
Preparing for Professional Social Work Practice
You'll learn about the social work environment, the expectations of employers, the professional requirements and service user perspectives. There is a focus on skills development so a lot of the work will be experiential either in the classroom or in observation and shadowing.
Human Growth and Development - Promoting and protecting individual development within social contexts
This module analyses the principles of child and adult development, following a 'normal' spectrum of development but also considers alternatives as well as people's social, economic and political contexts.
Law and Policy for Social Work
This module provides a thorough grounding of the legislation and policies that underpin social work across the spectrum. The critical evaluation of a social welfare policy helps you to build your confidence in preparation for the dissertation.
Practice Learning Opportunity One
This module includes the first placement period (80 days) plus recall days to include teaching that enhances professional practice. Before embarking on a placement, you need to ensure your own and other’s health and safety; you need to be familiar with and commit to the SWE Professional Standards.
While on placement, theory provides grounding for the work that is carried out. Being able to apply theory and adapt to changing situations is crucial to being able to provide a service. The University provides the placements in partnership with local authorities and independent sector agencies.
Support on the placement and assessment of knowledge and skills is provided by a qualified practice educator in conjunction with a tutor.
Theories, Methods and Models of Social Work Practice - Assessing and intervening in order to achieve best outcomes for service users
The purpose of this module is to develop a critical knowledge of assessment frameworks, principles, models and practice.
Safeguarding: Working with Risk and Complexity
Safeguarding children and adults is a key statutory social work role. This module is designed to explore contemporary safeguarding practice with children and adults. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge to balance competing elements such as the right to self-determination and individual freedom, with the social worker's duty to protect.
Practice Learning Opportunity Two
This second placement is longer (90 days) with complementary academic input to develop professional expertise and leadership skills. The placement will be arranged by the University and is likely to be within a setting that is undertaking statutory interventions with service users. Examples of settings are child protection and mental health teams.
After an induction period you're expected to work as part of a team providing services to individuals, groups and communities. You'll need to be confident in your abilities and act in accordance with the procedures of the organisation. You will be supervised and guided by your practice educator and colleagues and supported by your tutor.
Three days teaching will occur during the placement recall days to develop leadership and management skills at a masters level.
Dissertation - Research skills for effective social work practice
While on placement, you'll be undertaking a specialist investigation into an area of practice that will help bring new knowledge to the agency or service users. Methodological teaching for this module will allow you to prepare a proposal for either a literature-based or research-based project.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you’re taught
The University-based intensive modules are taught through a variety of methods including workshops, seminars, online and action (scenario-based) learning that reflects the complexity of work that is carried out by social work practitioners. As part of the support you receive from the University you will benefit from a personal tutor to help and support you throughout the course.
Teaching is carried out by staff from a range of professional backgrounds and is underpinned by research, providing you with a great balance between academic and applied educational experiences.
There are two broad approaches to assessment. The first is academic and this includes essays and practical methods such as verbal presentations and report writing. The second form of assessment is through practice placements, which are focussed on your ability to meet the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).
Further information
Careers and employability
When you graduate you may be eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England and you will need to abide by its code of Professional Standards which is a requirement of the profession.
On completion of the course you may choose to enter the profession by working in local government or private providers of social care services for children and/or adults.
Campus and facilities
With ever increasing pressures of public accountability upon social workers our Social Work degree has recognised the need to ensure that you are prepared for all kinds of scrutiny in the professional environment. In conjunction with Nottingham Law School, which has authentic court rooms based in the Chaucer building, we are now testing out our students in their court report skills as they are having to present to expert panels in the mock court rooms.
As a Social Sciences student you will also have easy access to the fantastic facilities in the Chaucer and Taylor buildings including:
- Lecture theatres and teaching classrooms
- Open access PCs and secure wireless points
- Study areas and social spaces
- Chaucer cafe serving drinks and light snacks
- Our brand new School of Social Sciences reception, providing you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff.
Entry requirements
Important information
The MA Social Work at NTU has a limited number of places available to ensure that you receive a good quality placement experience. In exceptional circumstances this may result in the course becoming full before you have completed the admissions process. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to be considered for the following year’s entry.
Entry requirements:
You will need:
- an undergraduate degree (minimum 2.1) or other recognised equivalent qualification.
- Applicants with a 2:2 will only be considered on an individual basis but it will be a requirement to demonstrate in the Personal Statement how your experiences (e.g. awards, scholarships, work experience - either paid or unpaid) and knowledge and skills will enable you to study and train to be a qualified social work practitioner.
- provide a personal statement which provides evidence of experience of working within a care setting or organisation e.g. where you were involved in the delivery of services to people or groups who have social, health or educational needs or an NGO. This could be paid or voluntary work, with children or adults. Your experience should equate to at least 100 working days.
- It is also a requirement that you provide a reference that evidences your social care related experience.
- GCSE English and Maths grade 4 or above.
If you are working towards your GCSE English Language and / or Maths or equivalent qualification this must be mentioned in your application form.
In addition to the entry requirements listed above, all applicants must:
- take part in a 3 stage interview process that is inclusive of an online written test, an in-person group work exercise and panel interview
- demonstrate an understanding of the role of a social worker and current social work issues
- be familiar with the Professional Capability Framework entry level requirements and also Social Work England’s Professional Standards
- demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, through spoken and written English
- demonstrate in your application your motivation to study and train as a social work practitioner
- provide details of the length of time spent gaining relevant social care experience and the type of social care experience you have –(either paid or voluntary) which specifically demonstrates your suitability to study and train as a social work practitioner
- provide a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly known as a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure) (which includes proof of identity)
- provide a satisfactory health declaration
- provide a satisfactory character conduct declaration
- confirm the ability to use a range of IT facilities including email, internet and word processing.
Please:
- attend all 3 stages of the interview process as part of your application. No alternatives are available.
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Interview dates
Initial interview dates will take place from April 2023 onwards. Interview dates may be subject to change and will be confirmed to successful applicants when they are invited to interview.
For the course you will need:
- an undergraduate degree (minimum 2.1) or other recognised equivalent qualification
- Applicants with a 2:2 or other recognised equivalent qualification will only be considered on an individual basis but, it will be a requirement to demonstrate in the Personal Statement how your experiences (e.g. awards, scholarships, work experience - either paid or unpaid) and knowledge and skills will enable you to study and train to be a qualified social work practitioner
- provide a personal statement which provides evidence of experience of working within a care setting or organisation e.g. where you were involved in the delivery of services to people or groups who have social, health or educational needs or an NGO. This could be paid or voluntary work, with children or adults. Your experience should equate to at least 100 working days
- provide a reference that evidences the experience in your personal statement (this should be from an employer or somebody who has known you in a professional capacity)
- English an IELTS of 7.0 with 6.5 in each skill, or a qualification which is equivalent to that. (For ‘qualifications equivalent to’ IELTS, NTU makes its own assessment details of the equivalences and be found here.) Additionally, you will also be required to have a Maths qualification.
In addition to the entry requirements listed above, all applicants must:
- take part in a 3 stage online interview process that is inclusive of a written test, group work exercise and a panel interview
- demonstrate an understanding of the role of a social worker and current social work issues
- be familiar with the Professional Capability Framework entry level requirements and also Social Work England’s Professional Standards
- demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, through spoken and written English
- demonstrate in your application your motivation to study and train as a social work practitioner
- provide a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly known as a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure) (which includes proof of identity)
- provide a satisfactory health declaration
- provide a satisfactory character conduct declaration
- confirm the ability to use a range of IT facilities including email, internet and word processing.
Please:
- attend all 3 stages of the online interview process as part of your application. No alternatives are available
- If you are an international applicant, feel free to email our International Team for further advice and support on this course.
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Deadline for applications 2024
Applications for this course are open from 6 March 2023. The deadline for applications for MA Social Work starting in January 2024 is 22 September 2023. This is in order to ensure that successful applicants have sufficient time to complete all the necessary processes and procedures to study in England.
Applicants are advised to provide all the relevant documentation as soon as possible, as part of submitting their application. Any delay in submitting relevant documentation my result in your application being processed.
Important information
The MA Social Work at NTU has a limited number of places available to ensure that you receive a good quality placement experience. In exceptional circumstances this may result in the course becoming full before you have completed the admissions process. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to be considered for the following year’s entry.
Interview dates
Online interview dates for 2024 entry will take place in the following months: April, May and June 2023. Online interview dates may be subject to change and will be confirmed to successful applicants when they are invited to interview virtually.
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
For guidance, tuition fees for January 2023 are:
| Study route | Home (UK students) |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £8,200 (per year*) |
* The tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Funding your studies
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies, We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our postgraduate fees and funding page for information about sourcing grants, bursaries and scholarships, and much more.
Alumni Discount
If you're currently studying at NTU or have recently graduated, you may be eligible for 20% off postgraduate course fees as part of our Alumni Discount.
Social Work bursaries
The Department of Health has announced new arrangements for the Social Work Bursary Scheme which will affect all students due to begin qualifying courses in England. As a result of these funding changes, there will be a reduced and restricted number of bursaries available for universities. Further information is available on the NHS Business Services Authority website.
Nottingham Trent University is advised annually as to the allocation of Department of Health bursaries for the MA Social Work. We anticipate that this information will be available in January. Any social work bursaries awarded to NTU will be allocated depending on the applicant's performance in the written test and interviews during the admissions process. An application deadline will be provided when the allocation of Department of Health bursaries has been announced.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
For guidance tuition fees for January 2023 are:
| Study route | International / EU students |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £16,800 (per year*) |
* The tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your postgraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Alumni Discount
If you're currently studying at NTU or have recently graduated, you may be eligible for 20% off postgraduate course fees as part of our Alumni Discount.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
Ready to join us?
Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page to complete your application. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Remember - this course starts in January 2024.
The deadline for applications for January 2024 entry is 17 November 2023
Application Advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your application
Given the number of applications received to ensure your application stands out be honest, thorough and persuasive. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you read the entry criteria for the course and include as much information as possible, about your motivation to train as a social work practitioner. Detail your social care experience, and state clearly what you have done either in paid or voluntary capacity constitutes social care experience
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder. You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide.
Good luck with your application!
Open days
The School of Social Sciences holds open events throughout the year. Come along and learn more about our courses, speak to programme leaders and find out about studying with the School. To find out more about these events visit the School of Social Sciences website.
Important Information
The MA Social Work at NTU has a limited number of places available to ensure that you receive a good quality placement experience. In exceptional circumstances this may result in the course becoming full before you have completed the admissions process. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to be considered for the following year’s entry. Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Apply directly to the University online using the NTU online application portal.
Remember - this course starts in January 2024.
The deadline for applications for January 2024 entry is 22 September 2023.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Given the number of applications received, to ensure your application stands out be honest, thorough and persuasive. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you read the entry criteria for the course and include as much information as possible, about your motivation to train as a social work practitioner. Detail your social care experience, and state clearly what you have done either in paid or voluntary capacity constitutes social care experience
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Important information
The MA Social Work at NTU has a limited number of places available to ensure that you receive a good quality placement experience. In exceptional circumstances this may result in the course becoming full before you have completed the admissions process. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to be considered for the following year’s entry.