MA Social Work
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Code
- L508
- Entry Requirements
- 2:2 with Honours
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Study social work at one of the most highly regarded centres in the UK, internationally renowned for its leading role in social work education and research. You’ll graduate with a professional qualification and a body of knowledge and skills that open a wide range of exciting, rewarding and challenging employment opportunities.
You’ll develop your skills as a future social worker through teaching that emphasises reflective and relationship-based practice, combined with challenging and thought-provoking placement opportunities provided by our local partner agencies. Many of our lecturers are actively involved in research and nearly all are experienced practitioners. Importantly, current practitioners and people with lived experience are involved in teaching activities across the course. This means our teaching draws on leading research, while providing you with a direct insight into the latest social work issues and evidence-based practice.
At UEA, we pride ourselves on the support we provide for our students. As part of this, you’ll have an academic adviser, who’ll take an active interest in your professional development when at university and while on placement. From day one you’ll join a community and do a course with people and relationships at their core.
Placements and practice-based learning are central to social work education at UEA. These are undertaken in partnership with social work employers and organisations and will offer you experiences in at least two contrasting settings. Your learning on placement is supported by a qualified practice educator who will guide and assess your practice. During your placement, you’ll gain experiences that you'll draw on in the classroom, and have regular ‘call back’ days, where you return to the University to develop the links between theory and practice.
We’ll ensure you have a blend of opportunities to bring together the academic, practical and lived experience of social work in your teaching and learning opportunities. You’ll graduate ready for a career as a first-rate practitioner and could go on to become a successful senior manager or distinguished academic.
Accreditations
Our Social Work Master’s is accredited by Social Work England (SWE) and allows graduates to apply for registration as a social worker in England.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our course will teach you about the theoretical foundations of social work, which are rooted in psychology and sociology. You’ll explore social policy and the laws surrounding working with children and families, people with mental health issues, and vulnerable adults. And you’ll focus on what it means to work with individuals, families, groups, fellow social workers and other professionals.
Your learning will take many forms – lectures, seminars, group discussions, tutorials and workshops, simulated practice and recorded role plays to help you learn from them. You’ll benefit from professionals, people with lived experience being at the heart of our teaching.
You’ll also study the legal and social policy context of social work practice and apply your learning from across the programme in your Level 1 (70 days) placement.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
We value our involvement in the Suffolk and Norfolk Social Work Teaching Partnership, which ensures social work education in the region meets the needs of students and employers. Your social work degree will combine lectures and seminars that encourage and require you to contribute. Crucially our teaching foregrounds current practice, along with the experiences of professionals, and people with lived experience.
The amount of teaching varies in year 1, but you’ll average around 25 hours per week of lectures and seminars in semester 1. In semester 2 the contact time increases, and you’ll average 37 ½ hours per week for your level 1 placement.
Assessment
Assessment
In each module, you’ll undertake a formative assessment, from which you’ll receive feedback. This will help prepare you for your summative assessment which contributes to your overall mark. All summative assessments must be passed before a student can progress to the next year of study.
You’ll experience a range of assessment methods, including essays, presentations, recorded role-plays, an exam, a case study and practice-based portfolio.
Feedback
You’ll receive constructive feedback on your formative and summative assessments to encourage your development. We aim to return feedback within 20 working days.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of social work practice through specialist teaching and your Level 2 (100 days) placement. Finally, you’ll have the chance to study a topic of your choice in depth by completing a literature review-based dissertation, with the support of one of our academic advisers.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Your second-year ranges from 10 hours per week during teaching periods to 37 ½ hours per week during your level 2 placement. The course concludes with self-directed study as you complete your dissertation.
Independent study
As this is a Master’s-level course, you’ll be responsible for a significant amount of independent study. Your dissertation is a literature-based review where you'll explore an aspect of social work that interests you. This will help you develop confidence in analysing information as well as skills such as time management and organisation.
Student voice
We are totally committed to the continued development of our teaching quality. We provide you with a number of ways to feedback on teaching and the course, for example through module reviews, debriefing meetings, and the Staff-Student Liaison Committee. Each helps us monitor, evaluate and develop our programme.
Assessment
Assessment
In each module, you’ll undertake a formative assessment, on which you’ll receive feedback. This will prepare you for your summative assessment, which will contribute to your overall mark. All summative assessments must be passed before a student can progress to the next year of study.
You’ll experience a range of assessment methods including essays, presentations, a case study, dissertation and practice-based portfolio.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade 4.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Bachelor Degree (Hons)
2:2 or above.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Application Process
Following the initial screening an 800-1000 word essay will be requested and has to be submitted prior to consideration to interview. Full essay guidance will be sent to applicants at the time of the request. We also require a Declaration of Suitability form to be completed which will be sent to you at the same time as the essay request.
Experience
All applicants are required to have gained some paid or voluntary work experience of helping people and working with others in a Social Work/Social Care environment. Relevant work experience could include activities such as volunteering in nurseries, schools, youth clubs, residential care homes, Rainbows, Scouts or sports clubs. We recognise that work experience opportunities may have been limited, please do contact Admissions to discuss your experience.
If shortlisted and invited to interview, applicants will be required to provide an additional reference. This should typically be a professional reference providing details of your ability in a caring/helping capacity, to complement your academic reference provided on the UCAS application.
We advise you review Research - School of Social Work - About - UEA to assist you with your decision of studying Social Work.
Disclosure and Barring Service
The course you are applying for is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) on your UCAS application.
The amendments to the Exceptions Order provide that certain ‘spent’ convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure, and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service Website. Further information can also be found on the Nacro website. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check during the first year after commencement of the course.
Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required.
- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Overseas applicants should check to ensure they can drive in the UK for the second year onwards of their studies. Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) You may be required to take a test in the UK and you will need access to a car for placements for your second and third year.
Social Work England is the new, specialist regulator for all social workers in England. It is an independent public protection body, setting professional, education and training standards for social workers. In its role, Social Work England also investigates and manages 'fitness to practice' cases brought against social workers.
Social work England’s professional standards are specialist to the social work profession. The standards are the threshold standards necessary for safe and effective practice. It also reflects the value and diversity of social work practice and the positive impact it has on people’s lives, families and communities. The professional standards apply to registered social workers and social work students in all roles and settings.
Social work is a regulated profession. This means that to be able to practise as a social worker in England, individuals must be registered with Social Work England. Once registered, all social workers are listed on a public register. The register is a statutory list of individual social workers who practise in England. It provides assurance that the people who practise as social workers in England have the right skills and qualifications and are capable of safe and effective practice.
You can apply to join the register when you have received official confirmation from the University that you have successfully completed your course. Further also evidenced by the University submitting the list of people who passed the course. However, it is important to know that there is no guarantee of entry onto the registration once the course has been completed, because Social Work England is the regulator and makes the final decision.
- Interviews
Applicants living within the UK will be invited to attend to an interview on campus. Overseas applicants or UK applicants living overseas will be invited to attend an interview day online.
The format for both is the same. The first part of the admissions day consists of an observed group activity. The activity will be observed by members of the interview panel and will involve a university lecturer, social work practitioner or manager and a person with lived experience and gives you an opportunity to participate and communicate in a group. The group will consist of 2 – 9 social work applicants and your group members may vary in age and experience. However, the focus of the activity is on how you participate and communicate during the task and not your specific knowledge or experience and there is no ‘right’ answer for this activity.
Later in the day the interview will last around 30 minutes and the interview panel is made up of a University lecturer, a Social Work practitioner or manager and a person with lived experience where possible. The interview will enable the panel to look at your personal background and circumstances, essay and group activity participation and your understanding of Social Work, your current studies and your suitability for the programme.
- Placements
During the course you will participate in a 70 day and 100 day placement. As this course includes people facing placements in social care settings, and these are mandatory component course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement policy may prevent you from successfully completing the placement and course.
- Deferred Entry
We do not encourage applicants to apply for deferred entry for the Masters programme. We encourage students to join in the current cycle. If your circumstances change after receiving an offer of a place, you are advised to email admissions and make an individual request in writing which will be considered by the School of Social Work.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade 4.
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Bachelor Degree (Hons)
2:2 or above.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Application Process
Following the initial screening an 800-1000 word essay will be requested and has to be submitted prior to consideration to interview. Full essay guidance will be sent to applicants at the time of the request. We also require a Declaration of Suitability form to be completed which will be sent to you at the same time as the essay request.
Experience
All applicants are required to have gained some paid or voluntary work experience of helping people and working with others in a Social Work/Social Care environment. Relevant work experience could include activities such as volunteering in nurseries, schools, youth clubs, residential care homes, Rainbows, Scouts or sports clubs. We recognise that work experience opportunities may have been limited, please do contact Admissions to discuss your experience.
If shortlisted and invited to interview, applicants will be required to provide an additional reference. This should typically be a professional reference providing details of your ability in a caring/helping capacity, to complement your academic reference provided on the UCAS application.
We advise you review Research - School of Social Work - About - UEA to assist you with your decision of studying Social Work.
Disclosure and Barring Service
The course you are applying for is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) on your UCAS application.
The amendments to the Exceptions Order provide that certain ‘spent’ convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure, and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service Website. Further information can also be found on the Nacro website. Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check during the first year after commencement of the course.
Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required.
- English Foreign Language
English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
To meet the requirement for Social Work England we will require an IELTS in most cases due to the high level for entry.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
-
- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Overseas applicants should check to ensure they can drive in the UK for the second year onwards of their studies. Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) You may be required to take a test in the UK and you will need access to a car for placements for your second and third year.
Social Work England is the new, specialist regulator for all social workers in England. It is an independent public protection body, setting professional, education and training standards for social workers. In its role, Social Work England also investigates and manages 'fitness to practice' cases brought against social workers.
Social work England’s professional standards are specialist to the social work profession. The standards are the threshold standards necessary for safe and effective practice. It also reflects the value and diversity of social work practice and the positive impact it has on people’s lives, families and communities. The professional standards apply to registered social workers and social work students in all roles and settings.
Social work is a regulated profession. This means that to be able to practise as a social worker in England, individuals must be registered with Social Work England. Once registered, all social workers are listed on a public register. The register is a statutory list of individual social workers who practise in England. It provides assurance that the people who practise as social workers in England have the right skills and qualifications and are capable of safe and effective practice.
You can apply to join the register when you have received official confirmation from the University that you have successfully completed your course. Further also evidenced by the University submitting the list of people who passed the course. However, it is important to know that there is no guarantee of entry onto the registration once the course has been completed, because Social Work England is the regulator and makes the final decision.
- Interviews
Applicants living within the UK will be invited to attend to an interview on campus. Overseas applicants or UK applicants living overseas will be invited to attend an interview day online.
The format for both is the same. The first part of the admissions day consists of an observed group activity. The activity will be observed by members of the interview panel and will involve a university lecturer, social work practitioner or manager and a person with lived experience and gives you an opportunity to participate and communicate in a group. The group will consist of 2 – 9 social work applicants and your group members may vary in age and experience. However, the focus of the activity is on how you participate and communicate during the task and not your specific knowledge or experience and there is no ‘right’ answer for this activity.
Later in the day the interview will last around 30 minutes and the interview panel is made up of a University lecturer, a Social Work practitioner or manager and a person with lived experience where possible. The interview will enable the panel to look at your personal background and circumstances, essay and group activity participation and your understanding of Social Work, your current studies and your suitability for the programme.
- Placements
During the course you will participate in a 70 day and 100 day placement. As this course includes people facing placements in social care settings, and these are mandatory component course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement policy may prevent you from successfully completing the placement and course.
- Deferred Entry
We do not encourage applicants to apply for deferred entry for the Masters programme. We encourage students to join in the current cycle. If your circumstances change after receiving an offer of a place, you are advised to email admissions and make an individual request in writing which will be considered by the School of Social Work.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
All students will be required to complete DBS before they undertake their placement, and we recommend that students sign up for the updated service.
Additional costs can also be expected when travelling to and from placement. Bursaries may be available through the NHS.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with a professional qualification and an academic degree from a course accredited by Social Work England.
You’ll have the knowledge, skills and practice experience to work with children, adults and carers in a range of settings. You’ll graduate ready for a career as a first-rate practitioner and have the foundation to build your career, potentially as a successful senior manager or distinguished academic. You’ll have the knowledge, skills and practice experience to work with children, adults and carers in a range of settings. You’ll graduate ready for a career as a first-rate practitioner and have the foundation to build your career, potentially as a successful senior manager or distinguished academic.
Our high employability rates reflect the success of our students.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Local Authorities e.g., Norfolk and Suffolk County Council
- Fostering and adoption agencies
- Charity and Voluntary sector e.g., NSPCC and Age UK
- NHS hospitals and mental health trusts e.g., NSFT
- Advocacy services
- Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)
Discover more on our Careers webpages.