Program Overview

Advanced Social Work Children, Young People & Families (MSc)

Overview

The overarching aim of this new programme is to enable child and family social work practitioners working in a range of social care settings in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, to develop advanced knowledge and skills to enhance their practice within their current work setting.

Course Content

Course Structure

All modules will be taught face to face, unless Health and Safety conditions preclude it. All modules (bar the final MSc dissertation module) will be worth 20 CAT points with 3 modules running per year, each lasting six days. Four modules will run over a 6-week period (1 day every week) with the exception of the two systemic practice module which will run across the 2 semesters with 2-day teaching blocks over 12 weeks.

People Teaching You

• Professor Lisa Bunting, Programme Director

Teaching Times

Weekly lectures and workshops running from 09:00 - 17:00

Learning and Teaching

• Consolidation of Learning: Students have regular small group workshops/sessions led by a facilitator to consolidate and apply course learning.

Assessment

• Assessment is written assignment and oral presentation, including reflective practice learning portfolio and annotated case-based presentation.

Facilities

The School is situated across a suite of three buildings in Belfast's Queen's Quarter. We provide student and staff common rooms, computer suites and designated study spaces.

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes.

Entrance Requirements

Academic Requirements

• Applicants should normally hold a second-class honours degree or higher.
• Where this academic requirement is not met, they must satisfy the programme lead that their experience and qualifications equip them to undertake postgraduate study through a written assignment.

Professional Requirements

• Applicants must possess a social work qualification recognised by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and be registered with the Council.
• Applicants should have completed their assessed year in employment (AYE).
• All applicants must be currently engaged for at least 12 hours per week in a children’s social care setting in a capacity in which core social work values underpin their practice with service users or carers.
• Applicants must be enrolled on the PiP Consolidation or Specialist Award on the NISCC portal.

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.

Career Prospects

This programme provides knowledge and skills which are highly valued in both child and adult services across health and social care.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £7,300
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £7,300
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £9,250
• EU Other: £21,500
• International: £21,500

Additional Course Costs

• All Students: Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

How to Fund Your Study

• The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
• A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas.
• Information on scholarships for international students is available.