Social Work

Our full time Masters degree is designed for graduates with at least six months’ relevant work experience, who want to qualify as professional Social Workers.

Offered in Chelmsford, this two-year MA Social Work is approved by Social Work England, so when you graduate, you’ll be eligible to apply for professional registration.

Typically, in your first year you’ll have three days of lectures a week on campus, with the rest of your time spent in independent study or on placement. In the second year, you’ll have one day on campus, with 3-4 days per week on placement.

An intensive orientation programme at the start of this postgraduate course will introduce you to theories and approaches within social work and develop your practical skills, ready for your first placement.

We’ll support you towards becoming a:

Qualified practitioner: preparing you for effective practice using a curriculum that focuses on critical engagement with the values, ethics, skills, and knowledge required to meet the complex challenges inherent in practice.

Professional: develop the qualities that represent the profession with integrity, demonstrate a commitment to accountability and in-depth understanding of the role of social work.

Social scientist: supporting you to be research-minded and critically reflective learners who transition into practice with an enthusiasm for life-long learning.

You’ll spend 70 days on practice placement in Year 1 and 100 days in Year 2. These placements will be in contrasting settings, one of which will involve experience of statutory work, and with one placement in children’s services and one in adults.

It’s likely that you’ll have to travel as part of your placement, so you’ll need your own transport to visit service users in the community, where public transport may not be available.

From communication skills to legal duties, professional decision-making to an understanding of socio-economic factors, our MA Social Work will equip you fully for the challenges you’ll likely face in social work.

ARU Peterborough

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to practice as a social worker, with our postgraduate course at ARU Peterborough. Study for a PG Dip or an MA.

In social work we embrace difference and recognise that individuals have their own motivations and journeys.

Studying Social Work at ARU Peterborough promises to be a transformative journey where your existing skills, values and education can be developed.

Whether you’re an experienced health and social care practitioner, or someone looking to change direction towards a meaningful career where you can have a positive impact on society, you’ll be welcome in our diverse community.

Successful completion of this degree will enable you to apply to register with Social Work England* to use the legally protected title of social worker.

One of the key elements of this course is the emphasis on real-world application.

We’ll provide you with engaging practice placements where you’ll develop your skills in two diverse settings, including a statutory social work setting. You’ll prepare for placements with interactive skills days in university.

The vibrant learning environment at ARU Peterborough is enriched by passionate lecturers who are not just educators, but experienced professionals from a range of specialisms. They bring real-world insights into the classroom.

Our lecturers are supported by social work practitioners and people with lived experience of services, embedding authentic perspectives of social work into your learning.

Many of our previous students describe their education as life-changing, and you’ll find that this degree is much more than an academic pursuit. It’s an opportunity to join a professional community that has a deep sense of purpose, and is committed to social justice. Take your first steps towards a career where you can create meaningful change for individuals and communities.

*Subject to validation.