Postgraduate Taught Degrees

MA Social Work

Duration:: 2 years
Attendance:: Full Time
Award:: Degree of Master of Arts
School of Study:: Social Work
Brochure:: School of Social Work and Psychology Postgraduate Brochure (PDF)

Overview
Course Profile
Requirements
Fees and Funding
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The MA Social Work degree, accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council, offers a dual qualification, academic and professional, that will enable you to become a registered social worker.

We aim to ensure that our students understand the theoretical foundations of social work, rooted in psychology and sociology; that they understand the social policy and legal context, especially the statutory provisions regarding child care, mental health and adult care; and that they are skilled in working with individuals, families, groups, fellow social workers and other professionals.

By the end of this programme you will have acquired the knowledge and skills to start work as a confident and competent 'beginning social worker'.

Practice Placements

Placement learning is central to social work education. Students on the MA Social Work will spend approximately 200 days in practice-based learning, with placements undertaken with at least two different service user groups. We stress the role of personal tutors who will take an active interest in your development. Whilst on placement, you will work closely with a qualified 'practice educator', who will guide and assess your practice. University tutors maintain close links with students, and there are regular 'call back' days, when students return to the University to work on the links between theory and practice.

Centre for Research on the Child and Family

Students undertaking the MA Social Work degree also benefit from close collaboration with research conducted by the Centre for Research on the Child and Family - one of the University's Research Centres working at the forefront of policy debates in social policy. The Centre's research spans the full range of issues facing contemporary policy makers and practitioners working with and for children and their families.

We continue to produce rigorous, high-quality and timely research evidence, informing the complex policy and practice decisions which have to be made on a daily basis. Our ultimate ambition is that this evidence is used to improve the well-being of children and families in their diverse communities and service user environments.

Course Organiser:Ms. Jeanette Cossar

Year 1

Compulsory Study (90 credits)

Students must study the following modules for 90 credits:

Name	Code	Credits
HUMAN GROWTH AND BEHAVIOUR	SWK-M49Y	10
THIS IS A CLOSED MODULE FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ONLY Students will be introduced to psychological models for understanding human growth and behaviour, and will learn how to use these models to help understand case situations. Teaching is by means of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by means of course work with one essay on Human Growth and Behaviour and must be passed for completion. This unit is available only to students on the MA in Social Work course.
PROFESSIONAL THEORY AND PRACTICE I	SWK-M385	10
THIS IS A CLOSED MODULE FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ONLY This unit provides a general introduction to the theory and practice of social work, as a foundation for the rest of the programme, and especially the first placement. Students are assisted to develop skills for interviewing and assessment, for building relationships with service users, and knowledge for understanding the dynamics of helping relationships.
PROFESSIONAL THEORY AND PRACTICE II	SWK-M42Y	30
THIS IS A CLOSED UNIT FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ONLY This unit develops more specific and in-depth skills for practice compared to the generalist skills of Professional Theory and Practice 1. It includes the 80 day period of assessed practice, and after the placement, gives an opportunity to integrate learning from practice with the further study of social work theory and methods. In preparation for the placement students following teaching sequences in social work with children and families and with adults and understanding mental illness and disability. After the placement, links between practice and theory are strengthened through further teaching on social work with children and families and with adults, on social work values and on higher level skills for practice. The placement is assessed on a pass/fail basis and students are required to pass the placement in order to proceed to year 2 of the course. In addition, students submit a case study as a piece of course work arising from this placement. Each element of the unit is separately assessed and must be passed in order to complete the unit. This unit is available only to students on the MA in Social Work course.
SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIETY	SWK-M383	10
THIS IS A CLOSED MODULE FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ONLY Within this unit students explore major topics and approaches in current welfare policy through a sequence of lectures and seminars designed to enable them to develop skills in critical thinking and arguments about the wider political economic and social context of social work in society. Key sociological, political and policy themes underlying and shaping contemporary social work practice are developed, such as "poverty" and "need" and "the welfare state", and a variety of conceptual models for analysing issues in contemporary social policy are discussed. In addition students undertake teaching on reading and using research as an introduction to understanding approaches and methods of research evaluation and monitoring. Assessment is by means of coursework based on Social Work and Society. This unit is available only to students on the MA in Social Work course.
SOCIAL WORK LAW	SWK-M48Y	30
THIS IS A CLOSED MODULE FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ONLY This year long unit introduces students to basic legal concepts and skills to enable them to use law confidently in their practice as social workers and to engage with lawyers in multi-disciplinary contexts. The legal framework for practice is examined in the introductory sessons, including legislation, common law and case law.

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Entry Requirements

Degree Subject:: Any Subject
Degree Classification:: 2.1 or equivalent
Alternative Qualifications:: Please contact swp.ug.admiss@uea.ac.uk regarding alternative qualifications

Entry Requirement

Applicants should normally have a good first degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant and applications are actively encouraged from those who want to return to academic study.

It is normal for undergraduate students to apply for entry to postgraduate programmes in their final year of study. Applicants who have not yet been awarded a degree may be offered a place conditional on their attaining a particular class of degree.

Students should also have 5 GCSEs including English and Mathematics at grade C or above.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in any component)
TOEFL: Internet-based score of 100 overall (minimum 22 in Speaking component, 20 in Writing and Listening components and 21 in Reading components.
PTE: 70 overall (minimum 62 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

Applicants are requested to attend an interview prior to being offered a place on the course. The interview is expected to last about 45 minutes. The interview panel will consist of a University lecturer, a local Social Work practitioner or manager, and a person who uses Social Care Services or provides care and support to a family member/friend.

The interview will enable the panel to look at your personal background and circumstances, your understanding of Social Work and your suitability for the programme.

Applicants will also be required to write an essay of between 800 and 1000 words prior to the interview date. The essay topic is one chosen by the applicant, although it must be of current interest and relevent to social work. Full instructions for the essay will be sent to applicants with the invitation to interview.

Special Entry Requirements

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN: Disclosure of Criminal Background for Those with Access to Children
All applicants who have been offered a place to study the BA course will be required to obtain a fresh Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure.

An application pack will be sent from the University (this usually happens from April onwards). This should be completed and returned as soon as possible.

General information about this process can be obtained from the Criminal Records Bureau Website.

Experience

All applicants are required to have gained at least 6 months' experience of helping people and working with others in a Social Work/Social Care environment. This can be paid or voluntary work. On receiving your UCAS form, which will provide us with your academic reference, we will write to you requesting a second reference which should provide details of your ability in a caring/helping capacity.

Occupational Health Clearance

Applicants are required to provide evidence that they are of satisfactory physical and mental health.

Assessment

Key factors used to assess an application include:

Past and future achievement in examinations
Academic interest in the subject
Personal interests and extra-curricular activities
The academic reference
The paid/voluntary work experience reference (caring/helping capacity)
The interview

All applications are considered on their own individual merits.

Fees and Funding

Fees for the academic year 2012/13 will be:

The fees for UK/EU students on the MA Social Work are normally set at the same amount as the NHS Bursary for Social Work Students. This bursary is normally announced in the Spring. Therefore for guidance, the fees for 2012/3 were

UK/EU - £3,828

International - £11,900

International applicants from outside the EU may need to pay a deposit.

Living Expenses

Approximately £7,500 living expenses will be needed to adequately support yourself.

Scholarships and Funding

A variety of Scholarships may be offered to UK students. Students undertaking Social Work programmes should also be eligible to receive a Department of Health Postgraduate Bursary administered by the NHS Business Services Authority. The Postgraduate Bursary is available to students ordinarily resident in England studying on an approved full-time postgraduate course. The Bursary consists of a non-income-assessed basic grant that varies in value, a contribution towards expenses related to practice learning opportunities (placements), and payment of tuition fees. It also includes an income-assessed maintenance grant that varies in value and income-assessed allowances of various values to assist with certain costs of living, as recipients of the postgraduate bursary ordinarily will not be entitled to LA funding. NB: Financial awards are dependent on individual circumstances.

The Graduate Trainee Scheme is run in conjunction with a number of local authorities in the East of England. It is aimed at graduates who have the potential for a career in social work, but lack sufficient relevant experience to enrol straight onto the MA Programme.

Please contact us for more detailed information about funding for UK students.

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Please click here for further information about fees and funding for International students.

Apply through UCAS

Applications for September 2013 need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.

UCAS Apply is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The system allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it must be sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.

The UCAS code name and number for the University of East Anglia is EANGL E14.

See details of how to apply to the Graduate Trainee Scheme.

Further Information

Further information on the Admissions process for Social Work including guidance on references and work experience can be found in our Social Work Admissions FAQs.

To request further information & to be kept up to date with news & events please use our online enquiry form.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.