Overview

The educational purpose of the MA in Social Work is to provide an environment in which students can reach their potential in the development of academic ability, professional knowledge and competence to practice. We aim to equip students with the knowledge, skills, values, critical ability as well as general transferable skills to make a high quality contribution to social care and welfare agencies in the UK and beyond.

• The MA programme meets the requirements of the new degree, the Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Work, the National Occupational Standards for Social Work and is validated by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
• The programme runs for two years, full time. It may also be taken as a Postgraduate Diploma over two years.
• Next start date: 8 October 2012

The programme provides:

• The opportunity to explore the policy and legal frameworks that inform practice; the theories and models that underpin the work; the research skills that inform a research minded practitioner; and the practice skills to carry through the task.
• Training that aims to produce a high standard of dissertation work that includes work on research methodology, research ethics, literature reviews and library searches.

The two year MA in Social Work comprises 200 days in practice in two different settings and a range of compulsory modules such as: social policy and law, theories and models for practice, reflective practice, social work research, communication skills, and a 16,000 word dissertation.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is for people who are willing to step up to the challenge and respond creatively to the pressures of current practice in social work. You may be seeking ways to address injustice and discrimination. You may wish to learn more about the legality and procedures that inform practice. You may be committed to learning more about research methodology in order to place quality research findings at the heart of your practice.

• Graduates from a range of disciplines who are committed to a career in social work.
• Enthusiastic people who want to learn skills and knowledge that will enable them to work in partnership with a broad range of services users and with professionals from a range of agencies.
• Resilient graduates who will be willing to rise to the challenges of current social work in the UK and be a force for change.

Structure

Themes and content

As never before social workers need to be informed, knowledgeable and exercise good judgement. At the end of the two year programme we aim to have equipped you with the skills and knowledge required of a newly qualified worker at beginning practice level. Specifically therefore we have ensured that the underpinning themes and module content link closely to the revised (2008) benchmark statement for social work, the learning outcomes and assessment commensurate with the Department of Health’s requirements, the National Occupational Standards for Social Work and the GSCC’s Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.

Course structure

This is a two year full time programme. Part time study is not available due to placements and teaching schedule.

The MA in Social Work includes a range of mainly compulsory modules, 200 days on placement and a 16,000 word dissertation.

Dissertation examples

The final dissertation is part of the national requirements for social work training in the social work degree and is to be seen within the context of the national development of evidence–based and knowledge-based social work practice.

The purpose of the social work research module is to enable students at Masters level to complete a dissertation. The following are examples of recent dissertation title:

• A case study of a community mental health team's experience using cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment for adult depression.
• Back to real social work? The implications for the practice of care managers following the introduction of individual budgets.
• Domestic violence - whose problem is it? An analysis of multi-agency services and responses to domestic violence.
• Self Harm: The experience of professionals.

Teaching and support

Placements

You will undertake two periods of practice learning.  The first begins in January of year one and runs to the middle of May.  The second starts in September of year two and runs to the spring vacation.  Students spend four days a week at their agency during term time and Wednesdays at the University.  However, practice learning extends into some University vacations and during these periods students spend five days a week in their agencies.

The programme is run in partnership with North Yorkshire Social Services Department, City of York Council and Families Forward. We also have an agreement with Barnardos to provide valuable practice learning experience. These agencies, together with many other non-partner agencies, provide a wide range of practice learning opportunities. Students are asked to state a preference for the service user group they wish to work with but, because of the possibility of mismatch between what is available and what is requested, we cannot guarantee a precise match for everyone.

Important notes

Application

Application to the MA in Social Work is through UCAS, similar to the undergraduate admissions process. The course code is L508 and the institution code is Y50 The University of York. In addition, please note the specific entry requirements below. Admission to the course is by an interview. Interviews take place from November to April.

Entry requirements

All applicants must demonstrate that they have an understanding of the social work role and that they have the potential to become a social worker. Applicants will normally have an upper second class (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) or higher grade. You will also need GCSE Maths and English at grade C or equivalent, such as adult numeracy and literacy skills at Level 2 (see DirectGov).

Candidates will usually have the equivalent of one year’s full time work experience in social care, health care or in related voluntary settings. Having undertaken a caring role in a personal capacity may also be accepted as relevant experience.

Applicants who declare a disability will be offered an interview if they meet the academic criteria. In all cases the offer of a place is subject to a satisfactory disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and a satisfactory health declaration. Having either a criminal conviction or a health condition is not an automatic bar to entry, but failure to disclose relevant information may result subsequently in termination of training.

International students for whom English is not your first language should also read the English Language Requirements.

Postgraduate Diploma

Some students may feel that they are not able or willing to undertake the 16,000 word dissertation that is the requirement for obtaining a Masters degree.  Students can submit an alternative piece of work in order to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work.  The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work is also validated by the GSCC.  This means that students with such a qualification are able to apply for registration with the GSCC as social workers in exactly the same way as those with a Masters degree.

General Social Care Council

Social work is a regulated profession. As a social work student you will be expected to register with the General Social Care Council (GSCC), the social work profession's regulator, and adhere to the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Social Workers.

As well as regulating individual social workers and students, the GSCC also regulates the performance of social work courses, the reports of which are published on the GSCC website, so you can check to see how each univeresity is performing. For more information visit: www.gscc.org.uk

Fees

Fees

The MA Social Work has a 'non-standard' fee. Please see the entry for MA Social Work at the bottom of the University Non-Standard Fees page.

Bursaries 

We welcome applications from overseas graduates, although 3 years UK residence is required to be eligible to apply for a NHSBSA bursary to pay your fees and living expenses, see further details. If English is not your first language then we usually require an IELTS score of 7.0 for admission.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) administers two types of bursaries for students studying social work.  They are the social work bursary and the postgraduate bursary.  Eligible students will receive the appropriate bursaries depending on their course.  For full details on eligibility criteria, the financial value of the bursaries and availability of application packs, students should visit NHS Social Work Bursaries or email their enquiry. Alternatively, call the Bursaries team on 0845 6101122.