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What is a Social Worker?

A social worker is someone who seeks to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights, and wellbeing. They can support many kinds of people including the elderly, those with disabilities, people who have a learning disability, young offenders, children at risk of abuse, children living in foster care, autistic people, refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those vulnerable to drug or alcohol abuse.

Social Work is motivated by human rights and the wellbeing of the public, ensuring that everyone, no matter their circumstances, is treated fairly and is safe from harm. They may do this by assessing the needs of an individual, planning the best solution to their problems, making referrals, organising support, or even providing direct support.

What is a Masters in Social Work and what does the course entail?

A Master in Social Work is a graduate-level degree program that prepares individuals for advanced practice in the field of social work. 

The MA Social Work at Northumbria has both a national and international focus and offers the opportunity to gain experience across cultures. Trips previous students have undertaken include observing social work practice in Greece, Turkey and Northern Ireland.

This Social Work Master’s programme has excellent placements within local networks providing excellent practice learning opportunities (70 days in Year 1 and 100 days in Year 2).

We ensure that all our students are offered two, high-quality, contrasting placements in order to offer the very best and most varied work experience to prepare you for qualified practice. Students are supported by a placement team focused on your learning needs during placements.

How will this course prepare me for a career in Social Work?

Social Work is a diverse and challenging profession where you will encounter people from a breadth of social, economic, religious, racial, cultural and diverse backgrounds. We are keen to reflect this diversity in our student recruitment and will consider every applicant beyond their professional and academic experience within the context of their life experience too. We welcome applicants with any undergraduate degree and upon successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the regulator, Social Work England, to be granted the protected title of Social Worker.

Why study this course at Northumbria University?

Social Work is an incredibly rewarding career that gives you an opportunity to work with people in times of need to achieve positive change in their lives. Northumbria University is proud to have over 50 years' experience in providing excellent qualifying Social Work programmes. We are the largest provider of Social Work education in the North East and boast a team with extensive experience in broad range of social work contexts. You will learn from the very best during your Master's in Social Work.

 

What is a Social Worker?

A social worker is someone who seeks to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights, and wellbeing. They can support many kinds of people including the elderly, those with disabilities, people who have a learning disability, young offenders, children at risk of abuse, children living in foster care, autistic people, refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those vulnerable to drug or alcohol abuse.

Social Work is motivated by human rights and the wellbeing of the public, ensuring that everyone, no matter their circumstances, is treated fairly and is safe from harm. They may do this by assessing the needs of an individual, planning the best solution to their problems, making referrals, organising support, or even providing direct support.

What is a Masters in Social Work and what does the course entail?

A Master in Social Work is a graduate-level degree program that prepares individuals for advanced practice in the field of social work. 

The MA Social Work at Northumbria has both a national and international focus and offers the opportunity to gain experience across cultures. Trips previous students have undertaken include observing social work practice in Greece, Turkey and Northern Ireland.

This Social Work Master’s programme has excellent placements within local networks providing excellent practice learning opportunities (70 days in Year 1 and 100 days in Year 2).

We ensure that all our students are offered two, high-quality, contrasting placements in order to offer the very best and most varied work experience to prepare you for qualified practice. Students are supported by a placement team focused on your learning needs during placements.

How will this course prepare me for a career in Social Work?

Social Work is a diverse and challenging profession where you will encounter people from a breadth of social, economic, religious, racial, cultural and diverse backgrounds. We are keen to reflect this diversity in our student recruitment and will consider every applicant beyond their professional and academic experience within the context of their life experience too. We welcome applicants with any undergraduate degree and upon successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the regulator, Social Work England, to be granted the protected title of Social Worker.

Why study this course at Northumbria University?

Social Work is an incredibly rewarding career that gives you an opportunity to work with people in times of need to achieve positive change in their lives. Northumbria University is proud to have over 50 years' experience in providing excellent qualifying Social Work programmes. We are the largest provider of Social Work education in the North East and boast a team with extensive experience in broad range of social work contexts. You will learn from the very best during your Master's in Social Work.

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
2 years Full Time

Department
Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

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Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships

Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2.2 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area, and GCSEs at Grade 4 (Grade C) or above in English Language and Mathematics.

Additional requirements:

Applicants will be required to attend an interview. Admission is subject to a suitable DBS Enhanced Certificate and a satisfactory health check. Applicants must meet Social Work England's suitability for registration requirements.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 6.5 in each component.

For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

Full UK Fee: TBC

Full International Fee: TBC



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

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Modules Overview 2024/25

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two

Year one

RW7001 -

Academic Language Skills (ALS) for PG Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing Students (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

SW0741 -

Social Work Knowledge (20 Credits)

This two part module is designed to introduce to a range of key knowledge for social work practice and develop your ability to become an analytic and reflective practitioner before you embark on your first practice learning experience.

In the first part of the module you will consider social work knowledge as this is framed within the Professional Capability Framework (PCF). An understanding of the concepts explored here will enhance critical understanding of social work and social policy explored further in module SW0744. You will consider social and psychological factors that impact the lives of service users, with a focus on issues of risk, inequality, diversity and human development. Your learning will engage with key topics such as resilience and attachment, and how theories and evidence can inform practice and facilitate problem solving in complex practice situations.

In the second part of the module you will be supported to develop a critical understanding of the detailed application of the law relating to social work practice and the contexts in which it is applied with children, young people and adults. The module examines the interface between the law and social work ethics and values, promoting a rights based approach and considering how the law may be used to promote anti-oppressive practice.

More information

SW0742 -

Intervening in People's Lives (20 Credits)

This module has been designed to support you to recognise key concepts and underpinning knowledge about the social work process focusing on assessments and interventions to promote change with service users. You will examine a range of assessment and intervention methods and approaches within the social work process and how to apply these to different service user groups in a variety of practice contexts. Through a range of teaching and learning strategies, you will be encouraged to explain and distinguish between the various intervention approaches and models of assessment. The module aims to orientate you to the breadth of social work processes.

This module scaffolds learning in relation to the social work process (assessment, planning and intervention and review) within the regulatory professional framework and enables you to explore frameworks and models for social work practice. By focusing on specific forms of assessments, intervention and techniques this module will enable you to develop a depth of knowledge and core practice skills involved in the social work process.

More information

SW0743 -

Introduction to Social Work Practice (30 Credits)

This module has two stages of assessment in relation to practice. In the first, university-based stage, this module aims to support you to move from entry level to readiness to engage in direct practice, by providing underpinning knowledge of communication skills informed by social work values and codes of practice. This will be located within a broader understanding of the social work role, collaborative working, and the organisational contexts for practice. You will begin to develop a professional identity reflecting the standards of proficiency, and to develop your professional resilience. The first stage of this module plays a key role in assessing learning in relation to the PCF at a level where you are considered ready for direct social work practice learning. The second stage of this module will provide opportunities to enable you to acquire practice skills and integrate practice and academic learning in a practice environment during a 70-day practice learning placement. This will also provide the opportunity for holistic assessment against the SWE PS, and allow you to demonstrate your professional capability at a level assessed to be commensurate with the PCF level ‘end of first placement’.

More information

Year two

RW7001 -

Academic Language Skills (ALS) for PG Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing Students (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

SW0744 -

Social Work Knowledge in Complex Practice (20 Credits)

You will consolidate and build upon your learning of social work knowledge to develop the specialist knowledge and skills for effective research informed practice with adults and children, young people, their families and carers. You will be encouraged to integrate theoretical perspectives and research into the design and implementation of effective social work interventions, particularly in the contexts of complex needs, risk, professional judgement and decision making. You will apply the concept of safeguarding across the lifespan to develop an understanding of the interplay between relevant legislative and policy frameworks, including specific reflection on ‘lessons from practice’ and the development of decision making frameworks and inter-professional working practices.

More information

SW0745 -

Professional Social Work Practice (30 Credits)

The module will build on your learning from the first year modules and will support you to move from taking early professional responsibility to developing the confidence and ability to act as an autonomous professional at a level suitable for application to register with Social Work England (SWE) and for entry to the assessed and supported year (ASYE) in employment. There will be an emphasis on moving from understanding to application and collaboration – developing your ability to form and sustain effective working relationships that lead to effective action. You will extend your understanding of the range of professional and organisational settings and multi-agency contexts for social work practice. You will be supported and challenged to become effective, self-confident and accountable practitioners able to deliver high standards of practice in social work alongside service users, carers and colleagues. The module will develop student’s understanding of the social work role and support their transformation to becoming ‘active’ professionals – confident in their sense of professional identity, with the ability to think and act purposefully within a variety of operational contexts, in order to initiate and manage change and demonstrate leadership. You will also explore the broader, systemic context of social work practice, including international social work, Environmental social work and Social Work in disaster areas. This includes exploring the impact of individual and structural issues on the lives of individuals throughout the life course and communities, and loss and grief.
This module includes a 100 day placement that gives you an opportunity to undertake statutory social work tasks. This will focus on learning related to all nine domains of the PCF providing practice learning opportunities that enable you to meet the threshold for qualified practice.

More information

SW0746 -

Critical Social Work Enquiry (60 Credits)

You will learn about how social work knowledge is created, find out about the different ways in which social work research can be approached and engage in ethical debate informed by principles of inclusiveness, especially the views and contributions of people who use services, carers and key stakeholder communities. This module will provide opportunities for reflection and critical debate surrounding practice issues with a focus on you as a critically reflective practitioner enabling you to explore a practice topic from an evidence-based enquiry perspective. You will also learn how to:

• Critically appraise research quality
• Conceptualise and articulate a social work problem or issue that is relevant to practice
• Undertake a literature review
• Develop a critical appreciation of the ethical dimensions of enquiry
• Develop a critical appreciation of the social policy and political dimensions relevant to your project topic and how to address their implications
• Access the contributions of people who use services, carers and other key stakeholders
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of a variety of research designs and the strategies and methods of qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Undertake collection, analysis and interpretation of data as appropriate
• Report on, analyse and critically review the research approach you have used and its outcomes.

More information

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

 

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

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