Social Work MSc

Entry requirements for this course are considered on an individual basis and are normally:

• An Honours degree (2:1 or above) in a relevant subject.
• Applicants with a lower second class (2:2) honours degree in a relevant subject will be considered on an individual basis.
• GCSE English Language or English Literature (or equivalent Ofqual regulated qualification) at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme. You do not require GCSE/Level 2 Maths for entry onto this course. However, please be aware that some employers may require this in addition to your completed degree.
• All applicants should have relevant paid, voluntary, or personal experience in social care, community or third sector organisations.
• You also need a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearance prior to registration.

We arrange these as part of the application process. You will be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination. We will request an Overseas Police Check if you have lived in a country outside of the UK for 6 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years before applying to us and whilst aged 18 or over.

At interview you will be required to declare any involvement by social services relating to children or vulnerable persons living in your care or for whom you provide care, living in a household in which you live, or have lived. Information you provide may have to be discussed with the Local Authority Designated Officer before a decision is made on your application.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

You may be eligible to gain Recognition for your Prior Learning (RPL).

If you have alternative qualifications you may wish to contact us for advice before applying.

You will be shortlisted on the strength of your written application and must demonstrate how you have used your previous experience (for example paid, voluntary, personal and educational) to help you develop some knowledge and understanding of the tasks and roles undertaken by social workers.

Approved by Social Work England, this Master’s degree in Social Work is a professional qualifying course, designed to equip you with the necessary skills, abilities and knowledge to succeed in a future career in social work.

The course is managed and delivered by long-standing partnerships between the University and local social work agencies, including statutory, voluntary, and service user-led organisations, and aims to produce practitioners who can critically reflect on their practice. Social work can be a challenging but rewarding profession, and we take pride in helping you to develop the thoughtful, considerate, and professional qualities you’ll need to succeed in your chosen career in social work.

This professional qualifying course is intended for graduates who are committed to a future career in social work. It also aims to produce practitioners who can critically reflect on their practice and promote anti-oppressive practice in a multicultural society.

• It will assist you in developing the key skills required to become a confident and competent social worker in line with the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work.
• You will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills including communication, assessment, analysis and reflection, as well as gaining knowledge in a range of areas, such as legislation, policy and how people interact with their environments.
• The course offers you the opportunity to work with service users, carers, social work practitioners and experienced university tutors, as well as engaging with an internationally recognised research department in social work.
• You will have the opportunity to put what you have learnt into practice through undertaking two assessed work placements, helping you to enhance your academic and personal development. This is managed and delivered by a long-standing partnership between the University and local social work agencies, including statutory, voluntary and service user-led organisations.

The course is part of the Yorkshire Urban and Rural Teaching Partnership, an accredited Social Work Teaching Partnership between local authority employers and the Universities of Huddersfield and York. The partnership develops and delivers innovative and creative approaches to social work education and training for students, ensuring social workers are confident and creative practitioners with the skills required for working in statutory social work. The Partnership also offers high- quality student placements and a social work curriculum that is co-developed and co-delivered by social workers and service users.

Following the course, you'll be eligible to apply to register with Social Work England, which is the regulatory body for social workers in England. You might go on to work with a range of service user groups, including vulnerable adults, children and families, young people, people with learning disabilities or people with mental health issues, in either statutory or non-statutory settings.