COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Social Work is a two-year, 120-credit program designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and professional expertise necessary for a career in social work. In the first year, students focus on foundational modules that integrate theory with applied practice. These include Counselling in Social Work, Support and Protection across the Lifecourse, Mental Health and Applied Law, Theory & Social Work I, Social Policy, Methods of Social Work, and Research Methods. These modules provide a comprehensive understanding of social work principles, legal frameworks, mental health considerations, and research methodologies. The first year also includes Field Work I, a 20-credit module that immerses students in supervised professional practice, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional decision-making skills. In the second year, students build on this foundation with advanced modules and further practical experience. Field Work II offers continued hands-on engagement with service users and agencies, ensuring students consolidate their practice skills. The year also includes the Social Work Dissertation, allowing students to undertake a significant research project, supported by a Research Support Workshop. Additional modules such as Social Work, Law & Human Rights, Contemporary Social Issues, Theory & Social Work II, Social Work, Supervision & Management in a Multi-cultural Context, and Criminal Justice System, Probation & Social Work broaden students’ understanding of professional, organisational, and societal contexts. Across both years, the program emphasizes social justice, ethical practice, cultural competence, and evidence-based decision-making. Graduates leave prepared to work across a variety of social care settings, including health, education, child protection, mental health, community development, and criminal justice, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a meaningful impact on individuals, families, and communities.