SWRK7001
20 credits
This blended learning module will provide you with an overview of the legal and policy context of social care and Social Work practice in England. You'll...
Accredited by Social Work England
Social Work
MA, PGDip
Develop critical understanding and professional skills to support individuals, families and communities through social work.
Key facts
- Duration
- Full time: MA/PGDip: 2 years (inclusive of summer months)
- Part time: PGDip 3 years with maximum of 5 years/ MA 4 years with maximum of 5 years
- Starts
- September 2027
- Level
- Master's and postgraduate
- UCAS code
- P044867
- Location
- Headington
- School
- School of Psychology, Social Work and Public Health
About this course
If you already have a degree and are interested in becoming a Social Worker, our Postgraduate Social Work courses (MA /PGDip) can lead to the qualification you need. As a graduate you can apply for Social Work registration in England with Social Work England.
Our courses deliver high-quality Social Work education. We have been approved by Social Work England (SWE) and teach to SWE Professional Standards and the British Association of Social Workers’ (BASW) Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).
Our lecturing staff base their teaching on evidence-based practice, promoting the most current Social Work research.
Your practice-based learning includes two placements. You'll work with your Practice Educator to develop your capabilities as part of the PCF.
Our graduates are highly employable with almost 100% obtaining employment after graduating. We have links with Local Authority employers, local private voluntary and independent sector organisations, so it's likely you will secure a job before qualifying.
Accreditations
- Approved by Social Work England.
Professional Social Work Education
Approved by Social Work England, our curriculum aligns to Social Work England Professional Standards and the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Professional Capabilities Framework.
Diversity and Inclusivity
Join a community committed to increasing the diversity of professionals entering Social Work, so that individuals and communities can be better understood.
Specialist Skills Days
Learn essential skills as part of the 30 skill development days requirement. Explore topics such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Strengths-based approach and numerous other specialist skills.
Quality Practice-based Learning
Established relationships with local organisations, providing a bridge between theory and practice and experience of the real-world professional environment.
Research expertise
Social Work at Oxford Brookes offers a supportive and collaborative research community, giving you the chance to develop your research skills together with knowledge of your chosen subject.
We take a holistic approach to individual, family, community and societal well-being, and have partnerships with external research centres and practitioners. Our research covers a diverse range of fields, ensuring that we are delivering current, evidence-informed knowledge and skills for all levels of professionals.
Some of our current staff specialise in the following research areas:
Widening Participation in Higher Education and Diversification of Curriculums, with current research in Burundi working on a Global Challenges Research Grant project on peer mentoring
Psychological factors that affect human growth and development, particularly in relation to education and wellbeing
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| GCSE English Language | Grade C or above |
| IELTS | IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking. For more information, please see our English language requirements. |
You must:
- have an honours degree (2:2 or above), or a professional qualification equivalent to an undergraduate degree, normally in a cognate area
- have basic IT skills with reliable access to the internet, preferably through a broadband connection.
Additionally:
- have relevant experience (personal, voluntary or paid) with people who are experiencing life challenges and/or who are in need of support. This would typically be experience of social care or health care-related practice in either the statutory or the voluntary sector. Caring in a personal capacity may in some instances be acceptable as relevant experience.
Credit Transfer
Candidates may be admitted with credit from APL or APEL for the University based part of the programme. In exceptional circumstances where the student can demonstrate the required capabilities and meet assessment criteria, credit for placement learning will be considered.
Following a successful application we will invite you to an online interview. Interviews will be led by a member of the Social Work teaching team. Each interview will last approximately 25 minutes.
International applicants will:
- need to apply early to allow enough time for obtaining visas if offered a place
- be asked to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure a place on the course.
Fees and funding
Fees
| Fee types | 2026/27 | 2027/28 |
|---|---|---|
| Home full-time | £9,950, £6,650 (PGDip) | £10,250, £6,840 (PGDip) |
| Home part-time | £2,210 per single 20-credit module | £2,280 per single 20-credit module |
| International full-time | £18,250, £12,150 (PGDip) Diploma | £19,300, £12,500 (PGDip) |
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page.
Questions about fees?
Learning and assessment
As an MA or PGDip student, you'll study seven core modules, including two practice placements. These placements include attendance throughout the summer months.
MA students will also need to take the Applied Research Methods module and the Dissertation module.
Our teaching includes a blend of:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Group Work
- Role Play / Simulated Interviews
- Guest Speakers
- Service User Input
- Online Learning
We encourage active student participation. You will have opportunities to contribute your own knowledge and experience.
There will be opportunities to share your learning with other health care students. This is essential to developing teamwork skills and an understanding of the other roles you will encounter in practice.
The majority of teaching and assessment activities take place between Mondays and Fridays 9am to 4pm. There may be occasions when activities fall outside of these hours.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a variety of methods:
- written assignments
- class tests
- assessed interviews
- portfolios
- presentations / viva
- dissertation.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
LOCAL-G4665
20 credits
In this module you will explore the relevant theories, and critically analyse and evaluate risk and harm to children and young people focusing on the family...
LOCAL-G4662
20 credits
This module is your introduction to the models, theories, legislation, and research which provide the context for current best practice in assessment and...
SWRK7006
10 credits
In this module you will undertake a five-day skill development pathway. A mixture of didactic and experiential learning will provide you with the opportunity to...
SWRK7011
This module is your opportunity to extend the skills needed for placement-based learning. You will be offered up to 30 skills days across the programme and...
SWRK7004
10 credits
In this module you'll focus on research as part of a body of evidence used for professional practice and provides you with an overview of methodologies and...
MWIF7012
50 credits
This module will help you to demonstrate the ability to define a clearly focused research issue, as well as a wide appreciation of the context of the chosen...
LOCAL-G4661
Full-time students normally complete this placement in Year 1 during Semesters 2 and 3. The Part-time mode of study allows more flexibility as to when...
LOCAL-G4664
Full-time students normally complete this placement in Year 2 during Semesters 1 and 2. The Part-time mode of study allows more flexibility as to when...
Careers
On successful completion of the MA and PGDip programmes, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a qualified social worker with Social Work England*, and then to enter employment.
There are a wide range of job opportunities for social workers in a variety of settings. Local authority and private, voluntary and independent partners employ many graduates who go on to undertake the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (AYSE).
As a graduate of the MA programme, you will be well-placed to apply for a place on an MPhil / PhD programme if you wish to pursue a career in research at a later date.
*International Students should note that completion of the Oxford Brookes Social Work programme enables you to apply for registration with Social Work England.
If you wish to practice in a different country, you will need to meet that country’s regulatory requirements if applicable. The responsibility for identifying and working towards these requirements lies with the applicant. Applicants may wish to check the compatibility of the Oxford Brookes award prior to application.
How to apply
International applicants will need to apply early to allow enough time for obtaining visas.
If you are offered a place you may be asked to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure a place on the course.
Applications are dealt with on a first come, first served basis, so please act early to avoid disappointment.
Our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, so module availability and course structures may vary from what is listed here. On rare occasions, we may also need to make updates to our course programmes after publication; for full details, please visit our changes to programmes page (opens in a new tab)