| The award | How you will study | Study duration | Course start | Domestic course fees | International course fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA | Full-time | 2 years | find out | GBP 10240 per year | GBP 23110 per year |
Our Social Work MA is a two-year course which will equip you with a masters degree and a professional qualification recognised by Social Work England.
You'll learn through a variety of methods, taught by enthusiastic, committed and research active academics, experienced in the field of social work. You'll also learn from current practitioners, peers, service users and other highly-specialised professionals from a variety of backgrounds and organisations. You'll develop a clear understanding of the use and application of theory in social work practice.
In addition to your University-based studies, you'll undertake two one-hundred day statutory placements in South Yorkshire. Our collaborative relationship with the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership (SYTP) opens the door to practice learning experiences within five different local authorities, in areas such as children and families social work, adult social work and mental health teams. You can read more about placements below.
Your practice learning is enhanced with University recall days and weekly personal study time, enabling you to reflect deeply on your placement experiences, discuss pertinent issues with your peers and be supported by your personal and placement tutor.
Upon completion of this programme you'll have obtained the skills and knowledge to tackle the real challenges that face social workers of today's world. You'll be part of a workforce making a positive impact on the lives of many vulnerable individuals, families and communities.
Placements
Our MA in Social Work is part of the SYTP, offering two 100-day placements in either childcare or adult care statutory settings. These placements are carefully chosen to offer contrasting experiences in contemporary social work practice, enhancing your overall learning and experience.
Both placements are 100 consecutive days long, in order to meet the Social Work England 200 days of practice learning requirement , an initiative unique to the SYTP and University.
You'll develop strong relationships with local authorities whilst on placement, helping you gain employment within the SYTP and beyond following your graduation.
The quality of the placement experience is reflected in the 100% employability of our graduates (Graduate Outcomes Data, 2020-21), showing that you will finish this programme highly qualified and ready to begin your career in social work/social care.
If you have additional caring responsibilities, health issues and/or a disability, we'll seek to place you as close to your home as possible. There is some flexibility regarding working patterns in most placements.
However, when applying for this course, you should consider the demands of your caring responsibilities given that this is a full-time programme with two continuous 100-day placements in both years of study.
If you would like to discuss the demands of the programme with our Admissions Officer before you apply, please contact us.
Advice, information and support for students with caring responsibilities
Disability and Dyslexia Support Service
Support
Throughout your journey to completing your Social Work MA and becoming a qualified social worker, you'll be offered a variety of support, not only from the department but from the wider university and our local authority partners within the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership.
Whether you're in the classroom or on placement, there will always be someone there, dedicated to supporting you. Here are some examples:
Support from the Department of Sociological Studies
Accreditation
This degree makes you eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England as a qualified social worker.
The fee listed is for the advertised mode of study. If you're studying for an alternative qualification or via a different mode of study (eg full-time, part-time) then the fee could be different. Due to inflation, the fee for Home students could also increase after your first year of study. Use Sheffield's fee calculator or contact the Student Fees team to check.
Fee status help
Financial considerations, associated costs and the Social Work Bursary
This is a full-time programme of study. We understand that studying during the current cost of living crisis can be difficult financially. Therefore, for the period September to December in both years, we have condensed the module teaching to two days per week following induction. This is in recognition that you may have to work part-time during your studies.
The MA in Social Work is part funded by the Social Work Bursary provided by the NHS. There is a means-tested component to the bursary.
If you are offered a place on the programme, we strongly advise that you consider the funding available and to check if the bursary is sufficient to enable you to take up the offer of a place on the programme.
Accommodation and costs
There are some associated costs that you should consider before applying:
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree with at least 3 months of relevant work experience/volunteering in a caring role. We will also consider your application if you have a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree with 12 months of relevant work experience/volunteering in a caring role.
Relevant experience can be gained from a voluntary or employed capacity and can include work with social welfare and community groups, children or young people, older people, disabled people, or those with mental health problems. It will require the candidate to provide evidence that they are able to call upon formative experience or from school or college placements, in a relevant health and/or social care setting.
You must have GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4/C or above. Please make this clear on your application as we are unable to proceed with your application without confirmation.
We accept alternatives to this, including: a minimum 12 credits for Mathematics or English GCSE equivalent unit, providing these are approved university and Access Validating Agency units. We also accep
T Level: 2 adult numeracy and literacy as valid substitutes, but not Application of Number.
Before joining the course, you will be expected to have basic IT skills, including being able to use the internet, word processing software and email.
As part of the admissions process you will be required to complete an online interview and test should your application be successful.
To help you prepare for the interview, we've put together a guide on what to expect and how you can prepare .
We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:
Entry requirements for international students
Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.
Other English language qualifications we accept
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