Social Work, MSc

Accredited by Social Care Wales

This course is available through Clearing

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50% of the course is work placement with social work agencies

Key Course Details

MSc 2 Year Full Time

UCAS Code: L501
Mode of Study: Blended Study
Typical Offer (view equivalents): 2:2
Location: Singleton Park Campus

Start Date	Tuition Fees - Year 1
Sep 2024	£ 8,250

Accredited by Social Care Wales

This course is available through Clearing

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Course Overview

Our accredited Master’s degree in Social Work will equip you with the theoretical and practical knowledge to launch a rewarding career as a registered social worker.

You will study the ethics and values of social work, critical practice relating to the law around child and adult care, and the key theories and perspectives underpinning social work policy and practice.

You will spend half of your time on placement with social work agencies, learning through observation and practice, and the other half being taught on our Singleton Park campus.

Throughout your studies, you will refine critical research and analytical skills in relation to social work practice and policy, and develop professional reflective practice techniques.

Why Social Work at Swansea University?

Our course is accredited by Social Care Wales and recognised by the regulatory bodies in the other UK nations, so on successful completion, you can register as a qualified social worker.

We have excellent links with social work agencies in south and west Wales, and in local authority and voluntary sectors, offering placements in a range of settings.

Based at our School of Health and Social Care, you will benefit from a diverse teaching and research environment, with many opportunities to make connections with students from a range of disciplines and nationalities.

According to the most recent Research Excellence Framework, 75% of research carried out at the School of Health and Social Care is 3* and therefore considerable in terms of reach and significance. Our focus on research outputs has resulted in a 21% increase in world-leading research (REF2021). This research expertise and excellence feed directly into our learning and teaching practise and your course content.

Swansea University Social Work is ranked 4th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2023).

Your Social Work experience

Our teaching staff are all active in research at both a national and international level, covering diverse areas including looked-after children, service user and carer involvement in education, asylum seeking children and migration, and social inclusion and care needs of older people.

You will be joining a university that was named ‘University of the Year’ and ‘Postgraduate’ runner up in the What Uni Student Choice Awards 2019.

Social Work Careers

As a newly qualified social worker, you can expect a starting salary of around £28,000. Salaries for senior practitioners and team managers range from £33,000 to £45,000.

Modules

This is a tightly structured course, comprising eight compulsory modules over the two years, including a dissertation in your second year.

Year 1 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Theories and Perspectives for Informing Social Work	Academic Year	20	SW-M01
Critical Practice in Child Care and Law	Academic Year	20	SW-M03
Ethics and Values in Social Work	Academic Year	20	SW-M04
Undertaking & Using Social Work Research for Practice	September-June	20	SW-M05

Optional Modules

Core Modules with Welsh Language Option

Choose Exactly 10 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Please select one of the following modules.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Social Work Skills and Knowledge in Practice 1	September-January	10	SW-M11
Sgiliau a Gwybodaeth Gwaith Cymdeithasol yn ymarfer 1	September-January	10	SW-M11W

AND

Core Modules with Welsh Language Option

Choose Exactly 15 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Please select one of the following modules.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Preparation for Practice Learning Level 2	January-June	15	SW-M12
Paratoi ar gyfer Dysgu Ymarfer Lefel 2	January-June	15	SW-M12W

AND

Core Modules with Welsh Language Option

Choose Exactly 15 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Please select one of the following modules.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Social Work Skills and Knowledge in Practice 2	January-June	15	SW-M13
Sgiliau Gwaith Cymdeithasol a Gwybodaeth mewn Ymarfer 2	January-June	15	SW-M13W

Year 2 (Level 7T)

FHEQ 7 Taught Masters / PGDip / PGCert

Students choose 120 credits from the following:

Compulsory Modules

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code
Critical Practice in Adult Care and Law	Academic Year	20	SW-M08

Optional Modules

Core Modules with Welsh Language Option

Choose Exactly 60 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Please select one of the following modules.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Dissertation in Social Work Research and Evidence for Practice	Academic Year	60	SW-M07	English language version of SW-M07W.
Traethawd Estynedig mewn Ymchwil Gwaith Cymdeithasol a Thystiolaeth ar gyfer Ymarfer	September-June	60	SW-M07W

AND

Core Modules with Welsh Language Option

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Please select one of the following modules.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Social Work Skills and Knowledge in Practice 3	September-January	20	SW-M14
Sgiliau a Gwybodaeth Gwaith Cymdeithasol ar Waith 3	September-January	20	SW-M14W

AND

Core Modules with Welsh Language Option

Choose Exactly 20 credits from the following Modules:

NOTE : Please select one of the following modules.

Module Name	Module Duration	Credits	Module Code	Guidance
Social Work Skills and Knowledge in Practice 4	September-June	20	SW-M15
Sgiliau a Gwybodaeth Gwaith Cymdeithasol mewn Ymarfer 4	September-June	20	SW-M15W

Entry Requirements

To apply for this course you will need:

A UK degree (2:2 or above) in a social work/social science-related discipline, plus Maths and English or Welsh GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent, e.g. Key Skills level 2 (QCDA) Numeracy or ‘Application of number’, e.g. Key Skills level 2 (QCDA) Communication.
You will need to demonstrate awareness and understanding of the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care.
Applicants are required to have undertaken over 300 hours of direct social care work

How You're Taught

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching.

Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.

The course is both academic and practice-based, you will complete a minimum of 200 days practice learning across the two years. Half of the programme is devoted to supervised practice in social service agencies, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn through observation, rehearsal and performance. The social work placements take place in the local authorities of Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion.

Your learning will be assessed through written essays, oral presentations, I.T. based exercises, reflective commentaries and portfolio work across the two years of study.

Practice placements are assessed by a combination of written work, observed practice and personal assessments using the National Occupational Standards for Social Work.

You will also be expected to complete a research dissertation and poster presentation in your second year of study (15,000 words approx.) with support from an assigned supervisor.

Welsh Provision

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Professional Body Accreditation

Accredited by Social Care Wales

Meet Your Lecturers

All teaching staff members on the course are research active and involved in research activity at both national and international level which spans a number of interest areas including: looked-after children, sexuality and wellbeing, service user and carer involvement in education, asylum seeking children and migration, children’s rights and welfare, and social inclusion and care needs of older people.

Tuition Fees

Start Date	UK	International
September 2023	£ 8,250	N/A
September 2024	£ 8,250	N/A

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

We also have a range of Taught Master's Scholarships available.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

How to Apply

Apply for the MSc in Social Work through UCAS

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

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