MSW Social Work

Overview

This programme is designed for graduates who wish to qualify as a social worker, and pursue their passion for improving people’s lives, by studying social work policy, practice and research within a two-year time frame. It will prepare you with the knowledge, self-awareness, and experience you need to thrive in the field of social work. You will enter the workplace as a confident, competent and autonomous social worker, equipped to lead the delivery of personalised and responsive services, which place individuals and families at the centre of their care and support.

Mode of Study

• Full-time

Duration

• 2 years

Start date

• January

Course details

This programme is offered in a full-time study mode. As a full-time student you will study 9 modules plus a dissertation. A standard module is equivalent to 200 hours of learning and on successful completion of each module you will achieve 20 credits towards your award. You will also undertake research in the completion of a dissertation to gain 40 credits towards your master’s degree.

Year 1: Developing an understanding of the social work role

• The first year of the programme sets the foundations for understanding the social work role by exploring its legal and ethical context and by establishing some of the key knowledge, skills and values you will require to involve people who have experienced different forms of ill-health, abuse, adversity, and other forms of vulnerability and social injustice in the assessment of their needs and in decision making around their support.
• The importance of research and evidence is highlighted throughout, and a practice placement at the end of the first year provides the opportunity to integrate theory with practice and to consolidate all of your learning throughout the year.

Year 2: Challenging the social work role and shaping the future

• The second year of the programme builds in complexity by addressing challenges of risk assessment, public protection and decision making within the context of social work theory and practice.
• You will further develop your communication and assessment skills while involved with a range of people receiving services and/or carers.
• In doing so, you will explore issues of conflict and risk, and consider the possibility that children and adults who are in need of our care and support may also present risks to others.
• The final year will focus on the research proposal and dissertation allowing you to develop specific areas of professional interest and expertise.
• You will undertake a final practice placement which will enable you to make the transition into the workplace as a competent, confident and autonomous practitioner.

Subjects include

• Year 1
  • Applied Social Work Models and Methods (20 credits)
  • Working with Individuals, Families and Communities (20 credits)
  • Legal, Policy, and Ethical Frameworks (20 credits)
  • AHP & Social Work Research Questions and Methodology (collaborative) (20 credits)
  • Social Work and Assessment (20 credits)
  • Practice Placement 1: Part A and Part B (20 credits)
• Year 2
  • Changes and Challenges in Social Work (20 credits)
  • Safeguarding and Public Protection (20 credits)
  • Dissertation (40 credits)
  • Practice Placement 2 (20 credits)

Lead academics

• Dr Jana Králová (‘Yana’, she/her) is Social Work academic, practitioner, author of peer-reviewed publications, researcher and publicly engaged social death preventer.
• Dr Hadijah Mwenyango is a Lecturer in Social Work at Edinburgh Napier University.
• Dr Sarah Rose a qualified social worker and practice educator and worked for over a decade in local authority adult services in Scotland before moving into social work research and education.
• Dr Evangelia Petropoulou has been a qualified social worker since 2004.
• Kate Fennell is a social work lecturer and a research doctoral candidate.

How you’ll be taught

• This is a full-time course delivered over two years.
• The teaching will involve practitioners and people who use services, alongside academic staff.
• The first two trimesters each year focus on theory, knowledge, and skills development, and in the third trimester each year you will undertake a work placement in order to consolidate your learning and to integrate the theory with practice.
• You will otherwise learn by a variety of teaching methods including scenario-based learning, tutorials, seminars, simulation, group work and independent study.

Assessments

• The MSW programme will utilise a range of assessment approaches which are constructively aligned with the learning outcomes for each module, and which will allow you to develop skills important to your academic and professional development.
• A range of summative assessment formats have been built into the programme, which include, but are not limited to reflective essays, reports, individual presentations, video-taped simulation (role-play), portfolio, research proposal, and practice placement assessments.

Work placement

• In each year of the course, you will undertake a full-time placement of 85 working days, supervised by a practice educator.
• This will allow you to experience the social work role in interesting and challenging settings including those with a focus on health and social care integration.

Facilities

• The facilities provided by the Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre offer highly realistic environments within which to develop your communication and engagement skills and to integrate theory with practice in a range of situations including visiting people in their own homes.

Modules

• Modules that you will study* as part of this course
  • AHP & Social Work Research Questions and Methodology (HSC11144)
  • Applied Social Work Models and Methods (HSC11145)
  • Changes and Challenges in Social Work (HSC11146)
  • Dissertation (HSC11100)
  • Dissertation (HSC11147)
  • Leading Innovation in Health and Social care (HSC11101)
  • Legal, Policy and Ethical Frameworks (HSC11148)
  • Practice Placement 1: Part A and Part B (HSC11149)
  • Practice Placement 2 (HSC11152)
  • Public protection in a changing and complex global context (HSC11115)
  • Risk Uncertainty and Complex Decision Making (HSC11102)
  • Safeguarding and Public protection (HSC11150)
  • Social Work and Assessment (HSC11151)
  • Social work Practice 2 (HSC11117)
  • Working creatively with the complex tensions between intra-personal and inter-personal processes (HSC11118)
  • Working with individuals, families and communities (HSC11153)

Entry requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with honours at a minimum of 2.2 preferably in a Social Science related subject and social care experience.
• Preference for shortlisting will be given to candidates with 2.1 and above, with relevant social care experience.
• Applicants with other professional qualifications and/or significant relevant work experience, which demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills or who have a post graduate or distinction award in a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant health and social care profession where honours study was not an option will be considered for selection on an individual basis.

Literacy & Numeracy requirements

• Literacy requirements
  • It is essential for students to demonstrate skills in literacy and criticality over the course of the degree programmes to fully meet the Standards in Social Work Educaion (SiSWE).
  • Applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English language, capability in literacy to meet programme outcomes, and capability for digital and technological literacy to meet programme outcomes.
• Numeracy requirements
  • Applicants will evidence one of the following:
    • The numerical skills required to understand the course materials and meet the Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE), for example: financial assessment; budgetary procedures; managing care plans and resources or interpreting graphical data.
    • The ability and opportunity to learn and to demonstrate the required numerical skills while studying for the degree.

Non-academic entry requirements

• Commitment to and knowledge of subject area
• Reference
• English language entry requirement
• Criminal records check
• Applicants with a declared disability

Video Submission and Selection Requirements

• Competition for places varies from year-to-year and achievement of the typical minimum entry requirements does not always guarantee shortlisting or a place on the course.
• Applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to submit a pre-recorded five-minute video presentation.
• In this video, applicants should outline their motivation to pursue a career in social work and highlight what they could offer to the profession.

Fees & funding

• The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.
• We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees for 2024/25

• Students from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £7,280
• Students from Overseas and EU: £18,800

Careers

• By studying a Master of Social Work at Edinburgh Napier University, you will qualify as a social worker, ready to work in local authority or third sector services, within the areas of Children & Families, Justice, or Adult Social Work.
• A degree in Social Work equips you with advanced knowledge, skills, and expertise to take on specialised roles within the social work profession.
• It also offers opportunities for leadership positions, specialised practice areas, and higher-level responsibilities within organisations dedicated to social welfare and community support.

What does a Social Worker do?

• Social workers work in various settings, including local authority social work teams, hospitals, schools, mental health services, prisons, and voluntary organisations.
• Their primary goal is to empower individuals and communities to navigate various challenges, overcome obstacles, and improve their overall well-being.
• Team and autonomous working skills will be required to deliver vital support in a fast-paced environment, with no day being the same.

Daily tasks and responsibilities in this role may include

• Advocating for people’s rights and needs within legal and social systems.
• Providing counselling, emotional support, and guidance to individuals or groups dealing with issues such as mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, or family conflicts.
• Developing and implementing plans to address people’s specific needs as identified during assessments.
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation of interactions and progress with people receiving services.
• Referring people to relevant resources such as healthcare services, housing assistance, financial aid, or community support programs.
• Collaborating with community organisations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to create and improve services and resources available to individuals and families.
• Empowering people to effect change in their own lives and to advocate for themselves.

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Degree Overview:

This program is designed for graduates who wish to qualify as a social worker and pursue their passion for improving people's lives. It will prepare students with the knowledge, self-awareness, and experience needed to thrive in the field of social work. Students will enter the workplace as confident, competent, and autonomous social workers, equipped to lead the delivery of personalized and responsive services that place individuals and families at the center of their care and support.

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Objectives:

Meet the registration requirements of the SSSC as a qualified social worker. Uphold and promote the rights, values, and autonomy of people receiving services and/or carers. Become a critically reflexive practitioner who can lead change in the local, national, and global health and social care environment. Learn with and from people receiving services, carers, and other health and social care professionals.

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Outline:

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Mode of Study:

Full-time

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Duration:

2 years

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Start Date:

January

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Year 1: Developing an understanding of the social work role

The first year of the program sets the foundations for understanding the social work role by exploring its legal and ethical context and by establishing some of the key knowledge, skills, and values students will require to involve people who have experienced different forms of ill-health, abuse, adversity, and other forms of vulnerability and social injustice in the assessment of their needs and in decision making around their support. The importance of research and evidence is highlighted throughout, and a practice placement at the end of the first year provides the opportunity to integrate theory with practice and to consolidate all of the learning throughout the year.

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Year 2: Challenging the social work role and shaping the future

The second year of the program builds in complexity by addressing challenges of risk assessment, public protection, and decision making within the context of social work theory and practice. Students will further develop their communication and assessment skills while involved with a range of people receiving services and/or carers. In doing so, they will explore issues of conflict and risk, and consider the possibility that children and adults who are in need of care and support may also present risks to others. The final year will focus on the research proposal and dissertation, allowing students to develop specific areas of professional interest and expertise. They will undertake a final practice placement which will enable them to make the transition into the workplace as a competent, confident, and autonomous practitioner.

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Subjects Include:

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Year 1

• Applied Social Work Models and Methods (20 credits)
• Working with Individuals, Families and Communities (20 credits)
• Legal, Policy, and Ethical Frameworks (20 credits)
• AHP & Social Work Research Questions and Methodology (collaborative) (20 credits)
• Social Work and Assessment (20 credits)
• Practice Placement 1: Part A and Part B (20 credits)

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Year 2

• Changes and Challenges in Social Work (20 credits)
• Safeguarding and Public Protection (20 credits)
• Dissertation (40 credits)
• Practice Placement 2 (20 credits)

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Assessment:

The MSW program utilizes a range of assessment approaches that are constructively aligned with the learning outcomes for each module and allow students to develop skills important to their academic and professional development.

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Assessment Formats:

• Reflective essays
• Reports
• Individual presentations
• Video-taped simulation (role-play)
• Portfolio
• Research proposal
• Practice placement assessments

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Practitioners and people who use services, alongside academic staff
• Theory, knowledge, and skills development
• Work placement
• Scenario-based learning
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Simulation
• Group work
• Independent study
• Blended learning approach utilizing online technologies
• Service user focused scenarios and case studies
• Group work and enquiry-based learning
• Direct involvement of people receiving services and carers in the delivery of teaching

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Faculty:

• Dr Jana Králová
• Dr Hadijah Mwenyango
• Dr Sarah Rose
• Dr Evangelia Petropoulou
• Kate Fennell

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Unique Approaches:

• Dialogical approach to teaching, whereby all students are equal partners engaged through critical dialog and reflection in addressing the changes and challenges in contemporary social work.
• Incorporation of people receiving services and their carers in the delivery of teaching to incorporate their expertise by experience alongside theoretical and research-based learning.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Local authority or third sector services
• Children & Families, Justice, or Adult Social Work
• Specialized roles within the social work profession
• Leadership positions
• Specialized practice areas
• Higher-level responsibilities within organizations dedicated to social welfare and community support

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Opportunities:

• Empowering individuals and communities to navigate various challenges, overcome obstacles, and improve their overall well-being.
• Delivering vital support in a fast-paced environment.

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Outcomes:

• Advanced knowledge, skills, and expertise to take on specialized roles within the social work profession.

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Other:

• The Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre offers highly realistic environments within which to develop communication and engagement skills and to integrate theory with practice in a range of situations including visiting people in their own homes.
• All students are required to register as a Social Work student with the Scottish Social Services Council on joining the program.
• All candidates (both UK and overseas) are required to undergo an enhanced criminal records check by the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme in Scotland and have a satisfactory outcome.
International candidates must provide an equivalent, criminal records check from the country or countries of residence prior to entering the UK.
• We are committed to providing equality of opportunity through the best possible level of support to students.
• Admission to the Programme is dependent upon a satisfactory Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) Check.
This will be sent to you prior to interview and will be conducted on the interview day. The cost of the PVG check will be paid by the University.

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Tuition fees for 2024/25 Students From 2024/25 2025/26 Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,280 £tba Overseas and EU £18,800 £tba The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here. View Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Please note: The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Edinburgh Napier University

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Overview:

Edinburgh Napier University is a modern university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is renowned for its student learning experience and its commitment to innovation and enterprise. The university boasts a diverse student body with over 20,000 students from over 140 countries.

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Services Offered:

The university offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Libraries and Heritage Collections:

Access to extensive library resources and heritage collections.

Accommodation:

On-campus accommodation options for students.

Student Life:

Opportunities for student engagement through clubs, societies, and events.

Funding:

Bursaries and scholarships to support students financially.

Career Services:

Guidance and support for career development and job searching.

International Student Support:

Dedicated services for international students.

Online Study:

Flexible learning options through online courses.

Short Courses:

Opportunities for professional development through short courses.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Edinburgh Napier University provides a vibrant and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a variety of activities, including:

Clubs and Societies:

Joining clubs and societies related to their interests.

Events:

Attending university-organized events and social gatherings.

Sports:

Participating in sports teams and activities.

Student Union:

Engaging with the student union for representation and support.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

High Rankings:

Consistently ranked among the top modern universities in Scotland and the UK.

Student Satisfaction:

High student satisfaction rates, reflecting a positive learning environment.

Research Power:

Strong research output and impact, contributing to knowledge advancement.

International Focus:

Diverse student body and global partnerships, fostering a multicultural environment.

Career-Focused Education:

Programs designed to equip students with the skills needed for successful careers.

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Academic Programs:

Edinburgh Napier University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Accounting and Finance

Acting

Biological Sciences

Building and Surveying

Business and Management

Computing

Criminology, Psychology, and Sociology

Design, Photography, and Advertising

Engineering

English, Creative Writing, and Publishing

Film, Journalism, and Media

Health and Social Care

Law

Marketing

Music

Nursing and Midwifery

Sport and Exercise Sciences

Teaching

Tourism, Hospitality, Festival, and Events Management