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    MA
    2025 start September 

    Social Work

    Department of Sociological Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences

    Develop your understanding of the theories surrounding social work, as well as their practical implications, to become a professionally competent, reflective and analytical social work practitioner.
    Student in seminar typing on laptop

    Course description

    Our Social Work MA is a prestigious two-year course which focuses on the strong relationship between theoretical and practical education. Once you've completed your MA, you will gain a competitive professional masters degree, recognised by Social Work England.

    On this course you will:

    • learn from a diverse team of professionals
    • gain hands-on experience through two placements
    • receive support throughout to help you achieve your full potential

    You will receive high quality teaching from a diverse team of professionals, including passionate, research-active academics, current social work practitioners, peers, service users and other specialists from a variety of backgrounds and organisations. Together, they will help you develop a detailed understanding of how to apply social work theories in practical settings.

    To complement your university-based learning, you’ll gain hands-on experience through two placements offered by the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership (SYPT). Our relationship with the SYTP is unique and ensures all students complete a 100-day placement in each year of study. You’ll work in a local authority statutory setting in mental health, adult or children and families’ practice. Regionally, we are the only programme to offer this for both placements at masters level.

    We’ll support your practical learning with dedicated University recall days and weekly personal study time, enabling you to reflect on your experiences, catch up with your peers, and seek support from your personal and placement tutor.

    By the end of this programme, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people and communities.

    Placements

    Our MA in Social Work offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience through two placements in mental health, adult, child or family care. Both placements last 100 consecutive days, which meets the Social Work England practice learning requirement – an initiative unique to the SYPT and the University of Sheffield.

    These placements are carefully chosen to provide you with a well-rounded view of modern social work. Where possible, they will be offered in a setting that supports your career and development aspirations. You’ll also build strong connections with local authorities, which can lead to exciting job opportunities in the SYTP and beyond after graduation.

    All placements are offered in a timely manner, to ensure you can start your practical education without delay. Each placement is quality assured by our local authority partners against rigorous criteria defined by the Department of Education.

    We understand that everyone's circumstances are different. If you have caring responsibilities, health issues, or a disability, we’ll seek to find a placement close to your home. Most placements offer some flexibility with working patterns.

    If you have any questions, or are concerned about how the course may fit with your current commitments, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our Admissions Officer.

    Advice, information and support for students with caring responsibilities

    Disability and Dyslexia Support Service

    Support

    We're here to support you every step of the way as you work towards becoming a qualified social worker.

    From your first day to graduation, you’ll have a strong support network in our department, across the wider university and within the SYTP. Your support network includes:

    • an academic tutor - your constant contact with the department. They will take the time to understand your individual circumstances and support you in progressing through the degree and with your personal development
    • a dissertation supervisor - your support throughout the second year as you complete a dissertation relating to your academic interests
    • a practice educator - allocated during your placements to support your learning in the workplace
    • a placement tutor - your supportive link between local authorities and the university while you are on placement

    Your fellow social work students are also a fantastic source of support and encouragement to help you reach your full potential. 

    Find out more about additional support from the Department of Sociological Studies.

    Accreditation

    This course is accredited by Social Work England (SWE). Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration from SWE as a qualified social worker.

    Why study social work at Sheffield?

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.
    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    2 years full-time

    Teaching

    In addition to your work placements, you'll learn through lectures, group work, individual projects and supervised support.

    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, 2021-22)

    You will build a strong theoretical and practical foundation for your career throughout the course. Our curriculum and placements equip you with essential skills that employers value.

    Upon graduation, you’ll be guaranteed an interview with our local authority partners. Our faculty employability hub also offers career guidance and support to help you make your CV and applications stand out.

    Careers and employability on the Department of Sociological Studies

    How social workers make a difference

    Our Voice and Influence Team is made up of care-experienced adults in paid, permanent posts in Sheffield City Council. Using their experience and insight, they support a variety of work to ensure care-experience people are represented in society.

    The Voice and Influence team

    Department

    Department of Sociological Studies

    Our world-leading research shapes our teaching, so you're always challenged and up to date. Our interdisciplinary approach brings sociologists, social policy analysts, digital media scholars and social workers together under one roof.

    Your tutors are experts in their fields and work with organisations in the UK and worldwide, bringing fresh perspectives to your studies. They'll give you the advice and support you need to excel in your subject.

    Department staff also play key roles in the Faculty of Social Science's Digital Society Network (DSN), an active group of researchers working on all aspects of digital-society relations. The DSN hosts events and activities to stimulate and support research in this area.

    Our courses develop students who are socially aware, with strong analytical skills and a flair for approaching problems in new ways. You'll become skilled at research and bring your own insights to key issues that affect our lives.

    Department of Sociological Studies students are based in the world-class Faculty of Social Sciences building, The Wave. It features state-of-the-art collaborative lecture theatres, study spaces and seminar rooms. Teaching may also be timetabled to take place within other departments or central teaching space. If you want to have a closer look, check out our 360 degree tour.

    Student profiles

    A photo of George

    I worked with people who all have different experiences, knowledge and values, and comparing these with my own has been humbling and enriching.

    George Martin MA Social Work

    "I wanted to keep my options open rather than limit them to a traditional social work role, and felt that the MA would provide research opportunities in social sciences as well as the practical experience on placement."

    A photo of Nina Princewell

    Settling down in Sheffield has been amazing for me because it is diverse and people living in Sheffield are very accommodating.

    Nina Princewill MA Social Work

    Nina came to Sheffield after graduating in 2016 from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. After discovering our MA Social work course, Nina felt it was the right course for her to equip her with the ability to help children the best she can.

    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.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 7 (with 6.5 in each component) or University equivalent

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Fees and funding

    The fees below are per year. This is a two-year course.

    Financial considerations, associated costs and the Social Work Bursary

    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 September to 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.

    The MA in Social Work is part funded by the Social Work Bursary provided by the NHS. There is a means-tested component to the bursary. 

    If you are offered a place on the programme, we strongly advise that you consider the funding available and to check if the bursary is sufficient to enable you to take up the offer of a place on the programme.

    If you are unsuccessful in receiving the Social Work Bursary then you may be eligible for the UK Postgraduate Masters Student Loan.

    Accommodation and costs

    There are some associated costs that you should consider before applying:

    • If you are requiring accommodation during your studies, the University’s Accommodation pages cover everything you need to know, such as how to apply, costs and other FAQs.
    • Upon registration, all Social Work students must complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (£38 - 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 home student George and international student Nina both discuss how they manage their finances throughout the programme in their student profiles.

    Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

    Contact

    study@sheffield.ac.uk
    +44 114 222 6402

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    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.