Social Work

University of Cumbria

Postgraduate MA Blended learning (full-time) 2 Years

About this course

Social work is an essential and meaningful profession supporting people across every community. Social work is an ethics-based profession, with a global perspective, that is delivered locally and always with an individual connection.

Our MA Social Work programme enables you to develop both in university and placement. During this two-year master's course, you will study a range of academic modules as well as spend 170 days on practice placement and engage in 30 days of skills development.

Course Overview Our programme will support you to develop the full range of knowledge, values and skills needed to be an effective social worker. Social work is an exciting profession. It relies on developing a balanced approach and finding solutions with people who are often at a vulnerable stage in their lives. The programme will explore contemporary issues and allow you to learn from people with lived experience of social work, as well as professionals in practice.

We have excellent relationships with local employers who host you on placement with the support of qualified practice educators. After successfully completing both placements and the academic modules, you will be able to apply for registration as a qualified social worker.

Our intimate teaching environments mean we can focus on your individual development so that you have a long, successful and healthy career in a great profession! There is a great record of employment for our MA Social Work graduates. Our course team are happy to talk any of this through with you.

On This Course You Will...

  • Learn to understand the subject of social work as well as the diverse role that social workers play in a wide range of organisations, from local authorities to the voluntary sector and beyond.

  • Develop your academic skills as well as your knowledge, supported throughout by a personal tutor from the lecturing team who will be there for you for the duration of the programme.

  • Build meaningful connections and insights. Our MA Social Work is a journey you will share with other students, where we recognise, respect and value how everyone is unique.

  • Gain real-world experience both in our modern campus facilities and the workplace.

    What You Will Learn Throughout our master's degree in social work, your progress will balance across building knowledge and developing practical skills. Successful social work is an applied profession, valuable in the way that it takes the knowledge of what helps and what works and then applies it in the real world in ways that respect individual people, supporting them to live their best life.

    The world is complex. However, research constantly informs social work so that we remain current and continue adding value to society. This MA programme gives you the opportunity to understand the professional standards underpinning our profession, as well as enabling you to develop your own creativity. Society is continuously changing and evolving. We recognise that while also emphasising the foundations of the work which have a rich history, such as social work’s commitment to social justice and anti-discriminatory practice.

    Year One Professional Knowledge and Skills for Social Work Critical Analysis of Contemporary Issues in Social Work Critical Applications in Statutory Social Work Readiness for Direct Practice Critically Evaluating Interventions with Diverse Populations Safeguarding and Ethics First Placement – 70 days

    Year Two Understanding Research Evidence to Enhance Social Work Dissertation: Research Production, Analysis and Dissemination Resilience, Leadership and Healthy Social Work Careers Final Placement (100 Days)

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    Course Details

    Qualification
    MA
    Study Mode
    Blended learning (full-time)
    Duration
    2 Years
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Carlisle
    Scheme
    Postgraduate