MA Social Work
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Code
- L508
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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.
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
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.