Social Work, Master of

Social Work research at Edinburgh has a permanent legacy across the world and has had significant influence in legislation and policy-making. The University of Edinburgh started providing training for social workers in 1918 and today our social work department is ranked as 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025).

Social Work is based at the prestigious School of Social and Political Science. The School brings together scholars from seven academic subject areas and 11 research centres, with subjects ranging from Politics and International Relations to Science, Technology and Innovation Studies. The Dean and Head of the School of Social and Political Science, Professor John Devaney, is Centenary Chair of Social Work.

The Master of Social Work (MSW)/Diploma in Social Work is a postgraduate qualification for anyone wishing to practise as a qualified social worker. Students come from all over the world to this programme, and go on to practise in diverse settings in social work practice, training, research, as well as in the government, public, private and voluntary sectors.

You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of the theory and practice that underpins all work in the field, splitting your time between theoretical learning on campus and practical work in various learning environments.

Our research

Our approach to social work is a critical one. Social work has always, as its name suggests, been concerned with ‘the social’ and with social explanations for problems faced by individuals, families, communities and society as a whole. C. Wright Mills, writing in 1959, made an important distinction between ‘personal troubles’ and ‘public issues’, arguing that problems we often think of as personal (for example, unemployment or criminalisation) are actually public issues which are encountered in the private sphere. Social work should be about understanding individual problems in their wider social context.

Our research areas include:

* Refugees and asylum seekers

* Social security and social work

* Children’s rights

* Violence against children

* Violence against women

* Friendship and social support

* Mental health and social work

* Innovation in restorative justice systems

93% of our impact case studies are recognised as 'world leading' and 'internationally excellent', and 100% of our research environment is assessed as 'world leading'. (REF 2021)

About the department

Staff teaching on the MSW/Diploma in Social Work include full-time and part-time lecturers, tutors, teaching fellows and practice coordinators. Sessional teachers and tutors also contribute to teaching, as do staff from other subject areas.

Besides their general social work backgrounds, teaching staff have specialist knowledge in particular areas of policy and practice.

The University of Edinburgh is approved by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to deliver this programme, which complies with the Scottish Requirements for Social Work Training and facilitates students to meet the Standards in Social Work Education (SISWE) and the Key Capabilities in Child Care and Protection.

Recognition of qualification

The MSW qualification is recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and the corresponding regulators of social work in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and those who successfully complete the programme are eligible for registration as a social worker.

The programme, approved by the Scottish Social Services Council, complies with the Scottish Requirements for Social Work Training and enables you to meet the Standards in Social Work Education.

It is also recognised as a professional qualification in social work across the world, including the United States and Canada, following accreditation with the in-country regulatory authorities.