Social Work (Postgraduate Entry)

Goldsmiths, University of London
Postgraduate MA (PG) Full-time 2 Years Social work, childhood, and youth studies

A-Level Entry

N/A

About this course

This Masters programme is ideal for graduates with relevant experience interested in pursuing a professional career in social work. You will receive an approved qualification, enabling you to register with Social Work England and work as a qualified professional social worker on completion of the programme.

Work with and learn from Experts By Experience The MA Social Work is an academic and professional qualification which also provides a gateway to more specialist therapeutic qualifications and research degree programmes. Social work education at Goldsmiths has a long and distinguished record – we have one of the most respected social work units in the UK, and you'll be taught by established social work academics and associate lecturers who have considerable research and/or practice experience in their fields.

You'll learn the values, skills, and knowledge needed to practise as a reflective and ethical social worker, and be well equipped for the challenges of contemporary social work practice. You also will be encouraged to make links between anti-oppressive practice, the social work values, the legal framework, theories, methods and skills of intervention, and social work practice throughout the programme. You'll cover some of the following areas:

  • human growth and development

  • community needs and services

  • social work methods and skills

  • assessment in social work

  • law and organisational contexts of social work

  • research methods

  • children and families pathway

  • adults pathway

  • mental health and disability

    Statutory and Non-Statutory Social Work placements The MA includes two practice placements in statutory and non-statutory settings and with different service user groups, so you'll be able to gain valuable real-world experience. Over 90% of all Social Work placements in 2019-20 were in statutory settings. We'll encourage you to think deeply about human rights and social justice, and to embed these values in your practice. You will develop your skills for reflective and evidence-based practice and will be able to further your research mindedness.

    Find a career after graduation Over 95% of MA Social Work graduates at Goldsmiths go on to full-time graduate-level social work practice. Goldsmiths' social work programmes are highly regarded by potential employers in London, the South East of England, and nationally, and our alumni have an excellent record of securing employment. Past graduates have gone on to work in local authority children's services departments, adult services departments, and independent/voluntary sector agencies such as the NSPCC, Family Action and Mind.

    South East London Teaching Partnership The Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS) is part of a formal teaching partnership with Royal Borough of Greenwich, London Borough of Southwark, and London Borough of Lewisham for the delivery of social work education at Goldsmiths.

    We were one of only four early adopter sites across the UK to receive government funding to develop and test new and innovative approaches to social work qualifying education, early career training, and continuing professional development programmes. This has allowed a number of social work practitioners from all levels within these Boroughs to be directly involved in the MA, delivering lectures, workshops, and seminars. This means that there is a very close relationship with practice to ensure that, by the end of the programme, students are equipped to deliver authoritative, compassionate relationship-based social work practice that makes a positive difference to people’s lives.

    It is not possible to study part-time or to transfer onto the second year of the Goldsmiths MA Social Work.

  • Entry Requirements

    A-Level Grades N/A

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    1172 Social services managers and directors
    2461 Social workers
    3314 Prison service officers (below principal officer)
    4112 Local government administrative occupations
    2464 Youth work professionals
    1232 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors

    Course Details

    Qualification
    Master of Arts - MA (PG)
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    2 Years
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    London
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Social work, childhood, and youth studies