MSc Social Work

Program Overview

MSc Social Work

Course Overview

The MSc Social Work at Winchester is a professional qualification covering the main knowledge, skills, and values essential for practising as a newly qualified social worker. Successful completion of this programme makes you eligible to register as a social worker with Social Work England.

Course Features

• Complete the training necessary to register as a social worker
• Two placements matched to your aptitude and experiences
• Opportunities to learn from service users, carers, and professionals
• The programme is approved by Social Work England

Course Details

• Suitable for applicants from: UK, EU, World
• Work placements: In the first year, students are required to complete a 70-day practice learning placement. In the second year, students are required to complete a 100-day practice learning placement. Each placement is different and is matched to the student's needs, aptitude, and experiences.

Learning and Teaching

• Start date: September
• Teaching takes place: Daytime
• Lecturers have varied experiences and interests which they draw on to develop insights in the workplace and help students develop employability skills such as report writing and critical analysis.
• The cohorts of students are small to enable the teaching team to provide the necessary challenge and appropriate levels of support to develop curiosity, autonomy, and creativity in practice and learning.

Assessment

• There is an increased emphasis on formative assessment, particularly in the early stages of module delivery.
• Assessment formats include presentations (individual and group); facilitation of seminars; written assignments (essays, reports, and case studies); portfolios; exams (a mixed approach); practical skills assessment; online assessment; and product outputs (academic posters/leaflet).

Modules

Year 1

• Readiness for Practice (0 Credits)
  • This module is an introduction to the Social Work profession and the professional capabilities needed to begin practice.
• Foundations for Professional Practice (10 Credits)
  • This module introduces students to the social work context.
• Psychological Perspectives of the Life Course (10 Credits)
  • Social workers engage with a diverse range of people across the life course, therefore a thorough understanding of human growth and development from a psychological perspective is a central element of social work practice.
• Social Work Methods and Interventions (10 Credits)
  • This module will introduce students to a range of relevant tools, models, methods, and theories in order to develop skills in promoting equality in direct work with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
• The Legal and Professional Knowledge Base of Social Work (10 Credits)
  • Social work is an international discipline with its own body of specialised knowledge.
• First Practice Placement (30 Credits)
  • This module aims to support students to develop their capability and professional confidence in essential social work skills.

Year 2

• Risk, Assessment & Safeguarding Work (10 Credits)
  • This module will address the challenges of assessing risk with regards to need and protecting service users from abuse and neglect.
• Social Work Practice in Contemporary Society (10 Credits)
  • Building on from the learning and teaching, practice placement(s) across the programme, this module will provide students with the opportunity to develop their skill & knowledge in working directly with individuals, families, and communities, safely and effectively.
• Final Practice Placement (30 Credits)
  • This module gives students opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge in a social work in a social work setting and enhance their capability in preparation for their assessed and supported year in employment.
• Research Methods and Writing for Publication (60 Credits)
  • This module will introduce students to relevant research methodologies and support students in developing their academic writing skills.

Entry Requirements

• UK: A first or second-class honours degree
• International: Normally a first or second-class Honours degree
• GCSE passes: At Grade C (Grade 4 if completed from summer 2017 onwards) or above in English and Mathematics, or equivalent
• Prior social care experience: Ideally applicants will have prior social care experience, in either a paid or voluntary capacity, in a relevant setting

Application Process

• All applications must be made via UCAS
• Applications can be made via UCAS from the autumn of the year prior to entry
• The deadline for applications is 15 January

Tuition Fees

Additional Costs

• Disclosure and Barring Service: All students who accept an offer for this course are required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check.
• Access to your own transport: As part of your course, you will be expected to participate in several placements with practice partners.
• Placement Expenses: This may include travel costs, secondary accommodation, and immunisation/vaccination costs.

Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards

• We have a variety of other scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course.

Career Prospects

• Graduates may work with any service user or carer group across the profession, ranging from work in the statutory sector for both children and adults through to roles within the voluntary and independent sector.