MA SOCIAL WORK
MA SOCIAL WORK
Study social work at one of the most highly regarded centres in the UK, internationally renowned for its leading role in social work education and research. You will graduate with a professional qualification and a body of knowledge and skills that open up a wide range of exciting, rewarding and challenging employment opportunities.
You should already have gained some prior experience of working with people, in a paid or voluntary capacity. Our MA Social Work will build on this background, providing an academically rigorous and stimulating environment for your development.
You will develop your skills as a future social worker through teaching that emphasises reflective and relationship-based practice, combined with challenging and thought-provoking placement opportunities in a wide range of settings provided by our local partner agencies.
You will graduate ready for a career as a first-rate practitioner and could go on to become a successful senior manager or distinguished academic.
About
This programme is ideal whether you have already done some study related to social care or are new to the field.
Our course will teach you about the theoretical foundations of social work, which are rooted in psychology and sociology. You will explore social policy and the laws surrounding working with children and families, people with mental health issues, and vulnerable adults. And you’ll focus on what it means to work with individuals, families, groups, fellow social workers and other professionals.
We are part of a Social Work Teaching Partnership with Suffolk and Norfolk County Councils and the University of Suffolk, ensuring that you’ll benefit from close links between teaching, research and practice, now and in your future career. Our graduates are highly regarded by local employers and many of our students choose to begin their careers with our partners, through the links that start while they are on their student placements.
Due to the nature of the course, you will need to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service screening. You will also need to provide two references: one regarding your academic achievements, and the second telling us about your experience in work or helping people. You must also inform us about any major health concerns that could affect your studies.
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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.After the Course
Many of our graduates work in local authority children’s or adults’ services and NHS Mental Health Trusts.
As a social worker, you could work with a wide range of service-users and carers. You might focus on child protection, work with young people in care and care leavers, children and adults with disabilities, foster carers or adopters, people with dementia, those with drug and alcohol addictions, and people with mental health problems. You will also work with a wide range of other professionals – teachers, health visitors, police, doctors, psychiatrists and community nurses.
You must be registered to work as a social worker in England.
The success of our graduates has earned us an excellent reputation for employment. We work alongside local authority partners to offer advice and information to help you get the job you want. We also work closely with UEA Careers Service, who offer workshops and information sessions so you can get your career off to the best start.
Career destinations
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Local authorities (e.g. children and adult services)
- Charity and voluntary sector (e.g. NSPCC, Age UK)
- Health settings (e.g. NHS mental health trusts and hospitals)
- Private sector (e.g. residential homes, fostering and adoption agencies)
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Assessment for Year 1
You will be assessed for each module. Your assessments will vary depending on the module, but could include essays, recorded role-play and placement reports.
During each module you will be able to take practice or ‘formative’ assessments. These give you the opportunity to reflect on your performance and learn from the tutor feedback in preparation for the formal ‘summative’ assessment at the end of the module.
You’ll need to pass your summative assessments in your first year before you can progress to your second year.
You will receive ongoing support and guidance when studying for your dissertation in the second year.
Assessment for Year 2
You will be assessed for each module. Your assessments will vary depending on the module, but could include essays, recorded role-play and placement reports.
During each module you will be able to take practice or ‘formative’ assessments. These give you the opportunity to reflect on your performance and learn from the tutor feedback in preparation for the formal ‘summative’ assessment at the end of the module.
You’ll need to pass your summative assessments in your first year before you can progress to your second year.
You will receive ongoing support and guidance when studying for your dissertation in the second year.
Assessment for Year 1
You will be assessed for each module. Your assessments will vary depending on the module, but could include essays, recorded role-play and placement reports.
During each module you will be able to take practice or ‘formative’ assessments. These give you the opportunity to reflect on your performance and learn from the tutor feedback in preparation for the formal ‘summative’ assessment at the end of the module.
You’ll need to pass your summative assessments in your first year before you can progress to your second year.
You will receive ongoing support and guidance when studying for your dissertation in the second year.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 2
You will be assessed for each module. Your assessments will vary depending on the module, but could include essays, recorded role-play and placement reports.
During each module you will be able to take practice or ‘formative’ assessments. These give you the opportunity to reflect on your performance and learn from the tutor feedback in preparation for the formal ‘summative’ assessment at the end of the module.
You’ll need to pass your summative assessments in your first year before you can progress to your second year.
You will receive ongoing support and guidance when studying for your dissertation in the second year.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
2.1 or 2:2 with extensive relevant work experience will be considered.Degree subject
Any subject excluding Social WorkGCSE offer
GCSE English Language grade 4 and GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or GCSE English Language Grade C and GCSE Mathematics Grade C. We will accept functional skills in Mathematics as an alternative to the Mathematics GCSE but not English Language.
Overseas candidates can provide high school school qualifications to meet the mathematics but will be required to take a formal IELTS test to meet the the English language requirements for Social Work England.
Additional entry requirements
Application Process
Following initial screening an 800-1000 word essay will be requested and has to be submitted, prior to consideration for an interview. Full instruction for the essay will be sent to applicants at the time of request. We also require a Declaration of Suitability form to be completed, which will be sent you at the same time as the essay request.
Experience
All applicants are required to have gained at least 6 months paid or voluntary work experience of helping people and working with others in a Social Work/Social Care environment Work Experience Leaflet. We appreciate that work experience opportunities may have been limited, please do contact Admissions to discuss your experience.
If shortlisted and invited to interview, applicants will be required to provide an additional reference. This should be a professional reference providing details of your ability in a caring/helping capacity, to complement your academic reference provided on the UCAS application.
We advise you review Research - School of Social Work - About - UEA to assist you with your decision of studying Social Work. Placements
Placements
As this course includes client facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
Placements are compulsory as part of the course.
Disclosure and Barring Service
The course you are applying for is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) on your UCAS application.
The amendments to the Exceptions Order provide that certain ‘spent’ convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure, and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service Website. Further information can also be found on the Nacro website https://www.nacro.org.uk
All applicants who have been offered a place to study the MA course will be required to obtain a new DBS Enhanced Disclosure.
Important notes
Once enroled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enroled.
If your fee status changes, as this course has different application pools for overseas and home fee paying students, your application will be re-assessed within the relevant application pool. For example if your fee status changes from overseas to home during the application process, your application will be re-assessed alongside other home applications for a place allocated to home fee paying students.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
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):
-
IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English requirements for direct entry, our partner, INTO University of East Anglia, offers a range of pre-sessional English courses to help you develop the high level of English skills necessary for successful postgraduate study.
Interviews
For applicants living in the UK interviews will take place on the university campus. For overseas applicants an online interview day is offered. The format is the same for both.
The first part of the admissions day consists of an observed group activity. The activity will be observed by members of the interview panel and will involve a university lecturer, social work practitioner or manager and a carer of user of social services and gives you an opportunity to participate and communicate in a group. The group will consist of 2 – 4 social work applicants and your group members may vary in age and experience. However, the focus of the activity is on how you participate and communicate during the task and not your specific knowledge or experience and there is no ‘right’ answer for this activity.
Later in the day the interview will last around 40 minutes and the interview panel is made up of a University lecturer, a Social Work practitioner or manager and carer or person or lived experience where possible. The interview will enable the panel to look at your personal background and circumstances, essay and group activity participation and your understanding of Social Work, your current studies and your suitability for the programme.
Gap year
We do not accept applications for a Gap Year for this programme, any offer made will be for the current admissions cycle.
Intakes
This course is open to UK and Overseas applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year. The date on UCAS may differ from the start date. We will inform students of the start date in any offer email.
Overseas applicants should check to ensure they can drive in the UK for the first year of their studies. Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) You will be required to take a test in the UK and have access to car for placements for your second year.
Overseas applicants will be required to pay a deposit if they go firm with UEA by the 31st July. Tuition Fees We may request financial documents in advance of issuing a CAS for your visa application.
Social Work England is the new, specialist regulator for all social workers in England. It is an independent public protection body, setting professional, education and training standards for social workers. In its role, Social Work England also investigates and manages 'fitness to practice' cases brought against social workers.
Social work England’s professional standards are specialist to the social work profession. The standards are the threshold standards necessary for safe and effective practice. It also reflects the value and diversity of social work practice and the positive impact it has on people’s lives, families and communities. The professional standards apply to registered social workers and social work students in all roles and settings.
Social work is a regulated profession. This means that to be able to practise as a social worker in England, individuals must be registered with Social Work England. Once registered, all social workers are listed on a public register. The register is a statutory list of individual social workers who practise in England. It provides assurance that the people who practise as social workers in England have the right skills and qualifications and are capable of safe and effective practice.
You can apply to join the register when you have received official confirmation from the University that you have successfully completed your course. Further also evidenced by the University submitting the list of people who passed the course. However, it is important to know that there is no guarantee of entry onto the registration once the course has been completed, because Social Work England is the regulator and makes the final decision.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Home candidates will be shortlisted for bursaries in July based on the number of bursaries given by the NHS
Please note overseas applicants cannot be considered for an NHS bursary.
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How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub. 
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started. 
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
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