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Social Work
Department of Sociological Studies,
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course description
Our Social Work MA is a two-year course which will equip you with a masters degree and a professional qualification recognised by Social Work England.
You'll learn through a variety of methods, taught by enthusiastic, committed and research active academics, experienced in the field of social work. You’ll also learn from current practitioners, peers, service users and other highly-specialised professionals from a variety of backgrounds and organisations. You’ll develop a clear understanding of the use and application of theory in social work practice.
In addition to your University-based studies, you'll undertake two one-hundred day statutory placements in South Yorkshire. Our collaborative relationship with the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership opens the door to practice learning experiences within five different local authorities, in areas such as children and families social work, adult social work and mental health teams. You can read more about placements below.
Your practice learning is enhanced with University recall days and weekly personal study time, enabling you to reflect deeply on your placement experiences, discuss pertinent issues with your peers and be supported by your personal and placement tutor.
Upon completion of this programme you'll have obtained the skills and knowledge to tackle the real challenges that face social workers of today's world. You'll be part of a workforce making a positive impact on the lives of many vulnerable individuals, families and communities.
Accreditation
This degree makes you eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England as a qualified social worker.
Modules
Over the two years you will take 180 credits. You'll take 60 credits each year plus a dissertation worth 60 credits, spread over both years.
- Law and Social Policy for Social Work
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This unit forms part of Year One of the MA in Social Work. It examines key areas of the law and social policy relevant to social work. The unit introduces key concepts in the legal system and social policy. It then critically examines law and policy relating to human rights, youth justice, mental health, community care, the family and child protection. Material from public enquiries and actual cases reported in the courts and the media will be used to supplement learning and students will also consider social policy from comparative perspectives, using examples from other countries.
30 credits - Social Work Practice - Contexts, Values and Skills
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This unit forms part of Year One of the MA in Social Work. This unit enables students to develop a range of literature search skills and skills for social work practice. Students will be introduced to a range of key principles and values underpinning professional activity and be provided with an introduction to core professional skills which will enable them to prepare for and progress to their first practice placement. Final assessment will utilise case material drawn from work undertaken on the student's first practice placement. Classroom exercises will focus on identifying service user perspectives and the skills and strategies required to practice in a safe, responsible and ethical way.
15 credits - Human Growth and development through the Life Course for Social Workers
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Students will critically evaluate theories and literature in the areas of child and adult development and consider ways in which these relate to social work practice across the human life course and at the end of life. They will also consider the research evidence and theoretical perspectives which underpin a range of approaches to social work practice interventions based on these differing perspectives. A variety of taught sessions and seminars incorporating service user and practitioner perspectives will focus on helping students to make age-appropriate assessments across the life course, to understand the importance of cultural context, to explore aspects of parenting and influence of family structures on child and adult experiences with the aim of helping students to acquire the skills and strategies necessary to practice in a safe, sensitive, responsible and ethical way.
15 credits - Readiness for Practice Placement One
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All students following a qualifying level social work programme are expected to undertake a minimum of 200 practice learning days across two 100-day placements, including approved independent study time. Under new professional arrangements, no student can be allowed to commence their first period of practice placement (SCS6058) without the University having satisfied itself that the safety of vulnerable service users will not be compromised. The module, together with the relevant assessment elements of other academic modules (see SCS6059 and SCS6061), will provide an assessment of a student's readiness for practice and their capability and entitlement to progress onto their first practice placement. The Portfolio assessment will comprise of: a Profile, 1,000 word Reflection - CVS1, CSV Workbook, Presentation slides from SCS6059, OH and DBS checks.
- Practice Placement One
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All students following a qualifying level social work programmes are expected to undertake a total of 200 practice learning days, including approved independent study time. The first practice placement is for 78 days, including 4 preparatory skills days prior to placement commencement which will contribute to the assessment of a student's readiness to undertake direct practice and 4 further (a total of 8) skills development days, as set out in the new national curriculum proposals, designed to enhance student learning on more specialist skills. It consolidates and builds students' skills relating social work theories and approaches, life course development, legislation, policy and guidance informing practice. It provides opportunities to apply this knowledge to direct work with service users in a diverse range of settings; and to develop skills in working in organisations and increase their understanding of, and skills in, multi-disciplinary practice.
Continuing across years one and two:
- Dissertation
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Students undertaking the MA should begin working for their dissertation as early as possible in the course and no later than the summer period between Year 1 and Year 2 (ideally during semester 2 of year 1). Students are expected to define their own topic in consultation with tutors. This topic must be related to practice issues in social work.
60 credits
Over the two years you will take 180 credits. You'll take 60 credits each year plus a dissertation worth 60 credits, spread over both years.
- Safeguarding in Social Work Practice
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This module provides opportunities for students to further develop skills in assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in practice, with a particular focus on the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children. By focusing on the interface between children's and adults' services, students will consolidate and extend their existing skills in work with children and/or adults and partnership approaches to working with service users and colleagues from other disciplines. The module will consider contexts for safeguarding children and adults with particular reference to the impact of substance misuse, mental ill-health, domestic abuse, disability and older age risks and vulnerabilities on individuals and families. The module will also critically evaluate risk assessment in relation to child protection and adult protection and legislative frameworks and multi-disciplinary approaches to safeguarding adults and children.
30 credits - Skills for Social Work Practice
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Students will explore in greater depth a number of key theories for practice intervention, which will equip them with some core skills for practice. The work undertaken on this module will link to work already undertaken on their first practice placement and will be carried forward in their final placement, offering the opportunity to put some of the skills into practice and to develop a critical awareness of their situational applicability and a balanced view of their advantages and disadvantages in the practice context. Some opportunities to explore specialist pathways will be offered. The module contributes 9 skills development days, as set out in the new national curriculum proposals, designed to further enhance student learning on more specialist skills.
15 credits - Social Work Professional Development
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This module will build upon knowledge of social work methods and approaches gained through academic and practice learning in Year One. Students will critically evaluate the main theoretical models relating to issues and circumstances which may impact upon service users at the point at which they interact with their environment. The module will also consider anti-oppressive and critically reflective practice, in order to develop their skills in the area of evidence-informed practice and their ability to identify and reflect critically on areas for personal and professional development.
15 credits - Practice Placement Two
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All students following a qualifying level social work programmes are expected to undertake a total of 200 practice learning days, including approved independent study time. The second practice placement is for 103 daysand is linked to the Year Two taught modules. It provides opportunities for students to increase their knowledge of the legislation, policy and guidance informing practice by working with a service user group different to the one worked with during practice placement one. They will also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to direct work with service users, improve skills in working in organisations and increase their understanding of, and skills in, working in a multi-disciplinary context, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding issues. The placement also incorporates 3 skills development days, as set out in the new national curriculum proposals to further enhance their learning on more specialist skills.
Continuing across years one and two:
- Dissertation
-
Students undertaking the MA should begin working for their dissertation as early as possible in the course and no later than the summer period between Year 1 and Year 2 (ideally during semester 2 of year 1). Students are expected to define their own topic in consultation with tutors. This topic must be related to practice issues in social work.
60 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses. You'll find out what makes us special.
Duration
2 years full-time
Teaching
You’ll learn through lectures, small-group work, individual and group projects, supervised dissertation.
Assessment
You will be assessed on essays, group project work, peer assessment, group and individual presentations, examination and dissertation.
Your career
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating (Graduate Outcomes Data, 2020/21).
Throughout the Social Work programme, you will add valuable transferable skills to your CV from your studies and placements. In addition to this, you can take advantage of the faculty employability hub and access careers support and various opportunities to make you stand out from the crowd.
Upon completion of the course, graduates are guaranteed an interview with local authority partners.
Find out more about graduate careers on our PGT Careers and employability page.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree with at least 3 months of relevant work experience/volunteering in a caring role. We will also consider your application if you have a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree with 12 months of relevant work experience/volunteering in a caring role.
Relevant experience can be gained from a voluntary or employed capacity and can include work with social welfare and community groups, children or young people, older people, disabled people, or those with mental health problems. It will require the candidate to provide evidence that they are able to call upon formative experience or from school or college placements, in a relevant health and/or social care setting.
You must have GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4/C or above. Please make this clear on your application as we are unable to proceed with your application without confirmation.
We accept alternatives to this, including: a minimum 12 credits for Mathematics or English GCSE equivalent unit, providing these are approved university and Access Validating Agency units. We also accept level 2 adult numeracy and literacy as valid substitutes, but not Application of Number.
Before joining the course, you will be expected to have basic IT skills, including being able to use the internet, word processing software and email.
As part of the admissions process you will be required to complete an online interview and test should your application be successful.
To help you prepare for the interview, we've put together a guide on what to expect and how you can prepare.
Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Fees and funding
The fees below are per year. This is a two-year course.
Financial Considerations and Associated Costs
This is a Full-Time programme of study. We understand that studying during the current ‘cost of living’ crisis can be difficult financially. Therefore, for the period Sept-December, in both years, we have condensed the module teaching to two days per week following induction - this is in recognition that you may have to work part-time during your studies.
There are some associated costs that you should consider before applying:
- Upon registration, all Social Work students must complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (£38 - please note this can be subject to change)
- Driving to your placement is optional, however if you do, you will need to upgrade your insurance to business usage. Many of our local authority partners provide a mileage allocation or reimbursement of travel costs for those travelling on public transport. There is also a travel component within the social work bursary
Second year students George (Home) and Nina (International) both discuss how they manage their finances throughout the programme in their student profiles.
NHS bursaries are available for this course.
The Social Work Bursary information pack for the 2023-24 academic year is now available.
Apply
You can apply for 2024 postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
sociologicalstudies-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 6402
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.