Social Work
MA or PGDip
Key facts
Start dates
September 2020
Location
Course length
Full time: MA/PGDip: 2 years (inclusive of summer months)
Part time: maximum of 5 years
Department
Department of Sports, Health Sciences and Social Work
Accreditation(s)
Health and Care Professions Council
Overview
With our MA or PGDip in Social Work you will have access to a wide range of work-based learning opportunities with Oxfordshire and neighbouring authorities and allied agencies.
You will receive the input of experienced researchers working in the established areas of:
- children and families
- drugs and alcohol
- ageing
- inter-professional education
- collaborative practice.
You can study the Social Work MA as a two-year full-time course (maximum five years on a part-time basis). You will typically be able to gain the PGDip in 22 months.
Our graduates are highly employable with almost 100% obtaining employment after graduating. On completing the MA or PGDip, you will be eligible for registration as a qualified social worker with the social work regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This is due to change to Social Work England.
Our social work courses have been ranked highly in league tables (The Guardian and The Sunday Times University Guides).
How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
GCSE: GCSE Maths and English or equivalent at least to grade C or above
You must:
- have a good honours degree (2:1 or above for the MA; 2:2 or above for the PGDip), 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:
- you should have experience of paid or voluntary work with vulnerable people. This would typically be the equivalent of one year’s full-time 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.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Screening
All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, an Academic IELTS score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component) is required.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
International applications
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 £1,000 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.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
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 £1,000 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.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
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.
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Financial support and scholarships
At the time of writing, Postgraduate social work students may be eligible to apply for the social work bursary (SWB). Please visit the NHSBA website for further details. The social work bursary is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBA) on behalf of the Department of Health who set the number of bursaries available each year. Performance at interview day will be used to rank applicants in order for the SWB, with applicants for the full MA given priority over applicants of the PGDip.
Learning and assessment
You will take seven core modules. Both awards require two practice placements, which will include attendance throughout the summer months.
MA students will also need to take the Applied Research Methods module and complete a dissertation.
Study modules
The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip award your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Research
We have a number of promising and senior experienced researchers who work in established areas including:
- children and families
- drugs and alcohol
- ageing
- interprofessional education
- collaborative practice.
After you graduate
Career prospects
On successful completion of the MA and PGDip programmes graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a qualified social worker with the Health and Care Professions Council (due to change to Social Work England), and then to enter employment.
Graduates of the MA programme will be well-placed to apply for a place on an MPhil / PhD programme should they wish to pursue a career in research at a later date.
Our Staff
Nabeela Talib
Read more about NabeelaProgramme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.