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Why choose the School of Applied Social Sciences
Over 95% of our Health and Social Care graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2023)
Our Health and Social Care courses rank 1st in their subject table for graduation prospects – outcomes (CUG, 2024)
With our Change Maker programme we ask you to take an active role in bringing about change and working towards social justice
About the course
This course is a perfect opportunity for individuals (including practitioners such as social workers) who are passionate about making a difference and who want to give their career a global perspective.
The course focuses on social issues with an international dimension such as humanitarian aid, forced migration, human rights, social justice and social enterprise. In addition to gaining theoretical knowledge, you acquire practical skills - such as advocacy, intercultural and group work competence - needed to work effectively with communities and individuals from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, in the UK and abroad. The course also exposes you to a variety of case studies and approaches to social welfare and development in various international contexts, including in the Global South.
Why choose this course?
- Develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the theoretical underpinnings and approaches to international social welfare and development in diverse global contexts
- Gain core practical skills and professionalism necessary to work in a range of cultural contexts and settings, for example with NGOs or government institutions, or starting your own social enterprise
- Learn from an expert academic team with significant research and practice experience of working with the United Nations and NGOs around the world
- Explore ethical aspects of international social welfare practice and research, including attention to power and decolonial practice
- Develop an in-depth knowledge of research methods and undertake research on a subject of your choosing while working within a robust ethical framework
What our students say about this course
"The content and learning has changed my perceptions of international social work, humanitarian aid and forced migration. I can honestly say I will look back and have happy memories, and will always be indebted for the kindness, support and shared learning experienced with my lecturers and fellow students." Alison
"The MA is a transformative programme. From interesting course content to brilliant, dedicated lecturers, it will inspire you!" Hazel
Course Leader - Dr Lena S. Opfermann
I am Senior Lecturer in Applied Social Studies and coordinate the MA International Social Welfare and Social Development. Prior to joining the University of Bedfordshire in September 2019 I worked as Teaching Fellow in Post-conflict Reconstruction at Durham University where I was Programme Director of two MSc Programmes at the Durham Global Security Institute (DGSi) from 2017-2019.
Course Leader - Dr Lena S. Opfermann
I am Senior Lecturer in Applied Social Studies and coordinate the MA International Social Welfare and Social Development. Prior to joining the University of Bedfordshire in September 2019 I worked as Teaching Fellow in Post-conflict Reconstruction at Durham University where I was Programme Director of two MSc Programmes at the Durham Global Security Institute (DGSi) from 2017-2019.
What will you study?
International Social Welfare And Social Development
This unit aims to develop students’ knowledge of the origins, development and future of international social welfare and social development, while building students’ understanding of the landscape in which the practice of international social work moves.
Humanitarian Aid, Non-Governmental Organisations (Ngos) And Social Welfare In Disasters
This unit teaches systematic knowledge, critical awareness and nuanced understanding of the role of social welfare and social development in contexts of humanitarian aid and disasters. Particular attention is paid to questions of power, exploitation and the need to decolonialize the humanitarian sector.
Comparative Social Work And Cultural Competence - Approaches, Policy And Practice
The unit aims to equip students with practice skills relevant in diverse national and local contexts, to develop students’ critical understanding of social work and social development in these contexts, and to prepare students to be culturally competent.
Social Enterprise
This unit aims to introduce students to social entrepreneurship and social enterprise. It focuses on conceptual frameworks that underpin social entrepreneurship, social innovation and social change, and on designing and setting up a social enterprise project.
Human Rights
This unit aims to further develop students’ knowledge of the origins, development and future of the international human rights framework and concepts of social justice.
Complexities Of Forced Migration, Human Displacement, Trafficking And Refuge
This unit introduces students to the complexities of contemporary forced migration, including the international system for refugee protection, existing containment strategies in regions of origin, the shrinking space for asylum in the UK, separated children and global debates around human ‘trafficking’.
Dissertation In International Social Welfare And Social Development
In this unit you will engage in an independent research project on a question that is relevant to the field of international social welfare and social development and your own area of interest. The research may be based on primary or secondary data and must present original analysis.
Research Methods 1 : Setting Deep Foundations
The core aim of this unit is to enable students to combine existing policy and data with research evidence to develop a critical appreciation of their chosen topic. Students will be able to critically appraise and evaluate the existing evidence base and summarise this learning in the form of a scoping report. These skills are increasingly considered essential for practitioners, particularly those in leadership roles.
Research Methods 2 : Design, Data Collection And Ethics
The core aim of this unit is to enable students to propose research which is grounded in existing evidence, robustly designed, makes appropriate use of data collection methods and is ethically sound.
How will you be assessed?
The assessments develop incrementally across the programme allowing you to gain skills, acquire knowledge and receive feedback on your performance. This will enable you to apply the knowledge gained and feed it into subsequent assessments.
A small number of non-graded formative assessments are also used to enable you to receive feedback and further support your learning.
At the end of the course the assessments will demonstrate your ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise knowledge and communicate this in both written and other presentational formats and to demonstrate a range of high level transferable skills, attractive to prospective employers and evidenced in the course learning outcomes.
The assessment methods include:
- Case studies, written statements and policy reports
- Individual and group presentations (e.g. posters, podcasts, powerpoint)
- Analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data
The dissertation allows you to carry out an independent research project and communicate knowledge, findings and recommendations in an academic way
Careers
Graduates typically go on to work in the humanitarian, human rights and international development sector with local, national and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or government institutions. Some students take up further study at Professional Doctorate or PhD level. Globally, there is a growing demand for social welfare and social development professionals with the academic and professional competences acquired on this MA.
Alumni of this course currently work with a range of NGOs and government institutions in the fields of migration, human trafficking, modern slavery and humanitarian aid. Some have gone on to pursue PhDs.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK 2024/25
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International 2024/25
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £15,600
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK 2024/25
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International 2024/25
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £15,600
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
