MA Social Work
Overview
Social work is a challenging and rewarding career. You will work alongside some of the most vulnerable people in society, working towards positive change with individuals, families and groups. The work is incredibly varied with possibilities to specialise, for example in work with children or young people, adults with disabilities or mental health needs. Social workers often spend their time with people – be it in hospitals, people’s homes, schools or in the community. A patient, non-judgemental approach is needed, with the ability to communicate effectively with a host of different people.
The Social Work MA at LSBU is a well-established course, running for over 30 years. Our graduates are eligible to apply to register as Social Workers with Social Work England, and have gone on to work in an exciting range of settings, from local authorities to setting up their own businesses.
This course blends an academic and professional focus with four strands underpinning our approach;
- We link practice-based learning and university learning
- We emphasise relationship based practices and co-production
- We offer research informed teaching
- We support you as autonomous and collaborative learners
On this course you will undertake two practice placements – 70 days in the first year and 100 days in the second year. Potential placements are varied, and are chosen from our diverse range of partner agencies in the voluntary and statutory sectors. Placements will be in different settings, service user groups, ages or methods. Placements may occasionally operate outside of normal working hours.
Employment based route
It is also possible to study the MA Social Work on an employment based route (EBR) over three years. Candidates need to be sponsored and supported by their employing agency to undertake this, including provision by employers of suitable practice placements. It is taught alongside the existing MA Social Work and the structure is the same, but students complete the dissertation in their third year.
Modules
Additional skills days are woven into the programme to support preparation for practice. Students are required to travel to placement which will be no further than 1.5 hours from their home, but in many cases located much closer.
Year 1
- Readiness for direct practice
- Human growth and development
- Practice placement 1
- Law for social work
- Methods and theories for practice
Year 2
- Society and ethics
- Professional capabilities in social work practice settings
- Communication and collaborative working
- Practice learning placement 2
- Limited systematic review dissertation
Entry requirements
- A Bachelor degree equivalent normally to a UK Second Class Honours Upper Division (2:1) or above in a relevant subject
- GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above (previously A*-C or above) or a recognised equivalent
- You should be at least 21 years of age on application and will be required to present evidence of social work knowledge and social care as well as work experience in some aspect of social work/social care full-time over six months, or the equivalent part-time (e.g. 15 hours per week over one year in voluntary work). At least some of this experience needs to be in the UK
We are proud of our diverse student group and positively welcome those from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups.
Selection criteria
Selection is by written essay and multiple mini interviews (MMI). MMI involved being asked brief questions at different stations.
The selection process addresses the following key areas:
- The ability to communicate clearly and accurately, verbally and in writing
- Analysis and critical thinking skills
- A knowledge of social work, and an understanding of the perspectives of service users and carers
- Motivation to qualify and practice as a social worker, and an awareness of the personal qualities social work requires
- An understanding of diversity and difference in the context of social work
Self-certification of medical fitness to practice and Disclosure Barring Service Check (DBS)
In line with Social Work England requirements, any offer of a place is conditional on a clear police check and self-certification of medical fitness to practice.
Candidates who are successful at interview and accept a place on the course will be expected to pay for an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
English language
For those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall or equivalent with not less than 7.0 in the listening and reading sections and not less than 7.0 in the writing and speaking sections for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS) at the time of application.