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. Explore: What it means to be a Social Worker (students' work on the social worker identity as part of our professional development groups).

• The programme will enable students to meet the Professional Capabilities Framework and the HCPC Standards of Proficiency at the appropriate level.
• The programme runs for two years, full time. It may also be taken as a Postgraduate Diploma over two years.
• Next start date: Autumn 2013

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 two placements in different settings and a range of compulsory modules covering topics such as: social policy, 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 and content

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 the Professional Capabilities Framework and the HCPC Standards of Proficiency.

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, a minumum of 70 days on a first placement, a minumum of 100 days on a second placement and a 16,000 word dissertation.

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 course structure/module information featured applies to 2013 entry.

Dissertation examples

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.

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 Gov.uk). Ensure that you clearly indicate if you hold these requirements on your application form.

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 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 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

This is an alternative for some students who 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. The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work is also approved by the HCPC.  This means that students with such a qualification are able to apply for registration with the HCPC as social workers in exactly the same way as those with a Masters degree.

Health and Care Professions Council

Social work is a regulated profession and qualified social workers are registered with the HCPC. As a social work student you will be expected to adhere to the standards set out in the HCPC codes of practice. Completion of the degree/MA/Dip in Social Work makes you eligible to apply for registration. As well as regulating individual social workers and students, the HCPC also regulate social work courses. For more information visit the HCPC website.

Accommodation

Please take a moment to read the advice from Accommodation Services on choosing accommodation on campus.

Fees

Fees

The MA Social Work has a 'non-standard' fee. Details of this will be available in due course.

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.