MA SOCIAL WORK
MA SOCIAL WORK
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 government-funded 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.
The MA Social Work at UEA is accredited by the Social Work England standards.
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. The MA Social Work at UEA is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (now replaced by Social Work England).
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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.Placement Year and Study Abroad
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.
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Career destinations
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Local authorities (e.g. children and adult services)
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Charity and voluntary sector (e.g. NSPCC, Age UK)
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Health settings (e.g. NHS mental health trusts and hospitals)
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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 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, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Important Information
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. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
2.2 or equivalent with relevant work experienceDegree 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.Additional entry requirements
GCSE Requirements
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.
Application Process
Following initial screening an 800-1000 word essay will be requested and has to be submitted, prior to consideration for an interview. Details will be provided. We also require suitability and health forms to be completed. Full instruction for the essay will be sent to applicants at the time of 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.
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.
Health
Applicants are asked to declare that they will seek appropriate advice and treatment in the management of any health conditions that they have.
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.
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):
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IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Please click here to see our full list.
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
Currently interviews are online this is expected to continue until Spring 2021. Interviews will include an activity exploring group participation in addition to an interview individual with an academic and service user/carer. Full information of the interview process will be provided for shortlisted candidates.
For in-person interviews: 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 may 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 – 6 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 user of Social Services 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.
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Fees and Funding
Fees for 2021 entry are:
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UK Students: £6,600
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International Students: £17,600
Living Expenses
Approximately £7,500 living expenses will be needed to adequately support yourself.
Scholarships and Funding
Students undertaking Social Work programmes may 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 a contribution towards 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 Suffolk County Council. 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. The dates will change for the current year, if the scheme is running. It will also be advertised in the local press.
Candidates will be shortlisted for bursaries in June based on the number of bursaries given by the NHS
Please overseas applicants cannot be considered for an NHS bursary.
Course related costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
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How to apply
Applications will need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), search for UEA and Social Work. Please note for operational reasons, the MA Social Work course requires applicants to apply via the UCAS Undergraduate Apply route.
UCAS Apply is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time 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.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Please complete our Online Enquiry Form to request a prospectus and to be kept up to date with news and events at the University.
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