Program Overview

International Social Work & Community Development

MA

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Campus

• Burnley Campus

Start

• September 2025

Duration

• 1 year

Delivery

• In-person

Overview

This course covers major challenges facing our world, including global migration and refugees, human trafficking, war and conflict, threats to democracy, political instability, community resilience in the face of conflict and natural disasters, global pandemics, and climate change. You'll have the opportunity to do a voluntary work placement and take part in other initiatives relevant to your study.

Why Study with Us

• Explore the interconnectedness of global and local issues.
• Undertake a placement in a social welfare or community practice setting.
• Plan and organize a piece of social research on a topic that is meaningful and important to you.

What You'll Do

• You'll be taught through a combination of lecture, seminar, and workshop settings.
• You'll also have a practice placement to enhance your knowledge and skills.
• You'll be encouraged to develop a range of critical and analytical skills.
• You'll undertake a diverse range of activities for assessment, including a dedicated community research project on a topic that you'll select and shape.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

• Social Policy in Practice: Identify, practice, enhance, and develop key skills. You'll also develop the link between theory and practice.
• International Social Work: Develop your understanding and explore emerging issues in international social work. Examine the interconnectedness of issues on a global scale.
• International Community Development: Use historical, conceptual, and practical tools to understand community development from an international and comparative perspective.
• Themes & Perspectives in Social Research: This module provides an overview of the key issues and debates associated with practice-based research.
• Global Project Development: This module explores how community leadership now demands a global perspective.
• Community Research Project: Engage and take responsibility for the management of a community research project.

Optional Modules

• Community Pedagogy: Address issues pertinent to individuals and groups responsible for coordinating community resilience.
• Understanding Community Practice: Explore a range of definitions of community and the political, social, and economic context for engagement.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants would normally have a degree at Honours Classification 2:2 or above in a related discipline.
• Candidates with professional qualifications and/or work experience are considered on a case-by-case basis and will be asked to attend a 45-minute interview to discuss their background and interest in the course.
• For students where English is not their first language, a score of at least 6.0 on IELTS with no component lower than 5.5 or equivalent.

Fees and Funding

• UK: Full-time £9,450 per year, Part-time £1,050 per 20 credits.
• International: Full-time £17,900 per year.

Accreditations

• Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM): The Institute is at the leading edge of management thinking and are a globally recognized professional membership body for leaders and managers.