About the course
Gain a professional Master's level qualification in social work that equips you with the skills, ethical principles, deep knowledge, critical awareness and reflexivity needed to pursue a career in this challenging and rewarding field. You can also complete a Postgraduate Diploma via the Step Up to Social Work programme
On this practice-based Social Work MSc, your studies are supervised by experienced practitioners, and you can expect an induction, a protected workload and a study day most weeks while on placement. On successfully completing the course, you are eligible to apply to the social work regulator Social Work England SWE for professional registration.
All placements are under constant development with our employer partners, and you may be eligible for a social work bursary administered by the NHS Business Services Authority
Why choose this course?
- Learn the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for social work practice at qualification level with adults and children in the private, voluntary and independent sectors
- Explore the role of social work; its inter-relationship with other disciplines; and the ethical base for practice where initiative is balanced with accountability to employers, the profession, service users and carers
- Develop a deep and systematic understanding of current theoretical and methodological approaches, and acquire the skills necessary for analytical, research-informed practice
- Gain the skills in critical reflexivity and emotional literacy that underpin collaborative social work practice and proactive professional development
- Benefit from classroom and placement activities that develop your collaborative and communication abilities, and show you how they can be applied to complex problem-solving tasks
Course Leader - Dr Matthew Ellis
My research interests broadly relate to social work with children and young people, and qualitative research methodologies, including narrative, psychosocial, creative and participatory methods. My doctoral research was a longitudinal study focusing on the way that young people construct a narrative identity during therapeutic treatment interventions for harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), as well as the intersubjective experience of practitioners who work with them.
I currently teach across all of our qualifying Social Work programmes and lead on several units covering Social Work theories and approaches, Evidence-informed practice, and Research skills.
Units
- Last Placement(100-Days) (ASS126-3) Compulsory
- Skills Development And First 70-Day Placement (ASS125-3) Compulsory
- Critical Issues In Specialist And Inter-Professional Practice (ASS082-6) Compulsory
- Human Development For Social Work Practice (ASS110-6) Compulsory
- Knowledge For Social Work: Critically Reflective And Research-Informed Practice (ASS076-6) Compulsory
- Social Work Law, Ethics And Values (ASS113-6) Compulsory
- Sociological And Social Policy Perspectives (ASS112-6) Compulsory
- Working With People: Theories And Methods For Social Work Practice (ASS114-6) Compulsory
Your academic learning will be assessed using a range of methods including reflective assignments, case studies, presentations, research tasks, examinations and evidence drawn from learning in the work place. Assessments are designed to integrate theory and practice throughout the course and the variety of assessment methods used develops academic and professional skills in writing concisely and drawing on your knowledge with confidence, for different purposes and audiences. A summative assignment towards the beginning of the course complements input on expectations of study at M level and personal and unit tutors provide a range of assessment support including tutorials, seminars and workshops. Your practice learning will be supported by practice educators and on-site supervisors and assessed at each stage by the submission of a portfolio at the applicable level of the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW, 2018). Your personal tutor will support your learning in each of your placements and facilitate learning needs identified at the end of the first placement being incorporated in planning your learning in the next. Overall, assessments throughout the course are designed to provide a range of varied opportunities for you to develop increasing confidence and autonomy and ultimately demonstrate your knowledge and skills in all areas necessary for competent practice as a newly qualified social worker.
Why study in the School of Community, Society and Health?
- Placements in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
- Study in simulation labs for real life scenarios
Entry requirements
- English GCSE Grade C or level 4 (or equivalent)
- Maths GCSE Grade C or level 4 (or equivalent)
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Health screening
- 2.1 Honours degree
- All successful applicants must also have achieved at least Key Skills level 2 in English and Mathematics. This would normally be equivalent to grade C in the GCSE examination in English and Mathematics. International applicants must have achieved IELTS Level 7 in order to be considered.
- All applicants should be able to demonstrate aptitude and commitment to a career in social work by providing significant evidence of experience of working with people in need, in a voluntary or paid capacity.
- Applicants must confirm their ability to use basic IT facilities, including word processing, internet browsing and use of email.
- If you have relevant prior experience and /or certificated learning you may be able to claim RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) in accordance with the University's published criteria and up to a maximum of 60 academic credits at M level.
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
Entry requirements
- English GCSE Grade C or level 4 (or equivalent)
- Maths GCSE Grade C or level 4 (or equivalent)
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Health screening
- 2.1 Honours degree
- All successful applicants must also have achieved at least Key Skills level 2 in English and Mathematics. This would normally be equivalent to grade C in the GCSE examination in English and Mathematics. International applicants must have achieved IELTS Level 7 in order to be considered.
- All applicants should be able to demonstrate aptitude and commitment to a career in social work by providing significant evidence of experience of working with people in need, in a voluntary or paid capacity.
- Applicants must confirm their ability to use basic IT facilities, including word processing, internet browsing and use of email.
- If you have relevant prior experience and /or certificated learning you may be able to claim RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) in accordance with the University's published criteria and up to a maximum of 60 academic credits at M level.
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
How will this course improve my career prospects?
Approved by Social Work England (SWE), this course opens up a rewarding career path. In addition to gaining a postgraduate qualification, successful students are eligible to apply to the social work regulator, Social Work England, for professional registration. Once registered, you can pursue a professional social work career across a range of settings including within local authorities and many private and voluntary agencies throughout the UK.
Fees and Funding
In the rare circumstances that an International student is eligible for admission to this course, standard postgraduate international status fees will apply.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The international fee for this MSc for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £27,500. This is the total fee for your two years of study.
For more information, please see international fees
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
The full-time fee for the MSc Social Work for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £18,700 for your two years of study. 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
The international fee for this MSc for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £29,200. This is the total fee for your two years of study.
For more information, please see international fees
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees and Funding
In the rare circumstances that an International student is eligible for admission to this course, standard postgraduate international status fees will apply.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The international fee for this MSc for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £27,500. This is the total fee for your two years of study.
For more information, please see international fees
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
The full-time fee for the MSc Social Work for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £18,700 for your two years of study. 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
The international fee for this MSc for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £29,200. This is the total fee for your two years of study.
For more information, please see international fees
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Extra costs for this course
You will need to pay for an enhanced DBS plus a small administration fee.
On this course you will do practice placements away from the campus.
The travel allowance element of the Social Work Bursary is confirmed as £862.50 for the 22/23 academic year. This covers most travel and associated costs e.g. car parking.
*The information above is for guidance only. Exact costs may vary.
Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
UK students applying for this postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS
EU students applying for this postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK students applying for this postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS
EU students applying for this postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
Apply via UCAS for this course: Use course code - L508
