MSc Advanced Social Work Studies

Overview

This course focuses on the complex issues and challenges of 21st century social work. 

We have a range of expertise and experience, including interdisciplinarity (a specific and unique strength of the programme), leadership, research, values and social work practice. We are particularly keen to establish links between theory and practice. Our modules also draw on experienced and knowledgeable guest lecturers both from the field and from academic research.

_{Flexible course}

The MSc in Advanced Social Work Studies will allow you to engage with advanced level social work theory and develop the knowledge base and enquiry skills required to understand and contribute to 21st century social work.

The course curriculum will encompass taught modules which require you to engage with ethical issues and dilemmas relating to social work. You will have the opportunity to critically engage with the challenges and opportunities of inter-professional collaboration and the role that organisational culture and change plays in the way social work is shaped and delivered.

The course will require you to develop and apply research skills and methods to social work issues in order to produce a Master’s level dissertation. This will allow you to explore and examine social work issues and contexts in order to develop new ways of thinking and understanding, and in turn seek to be transformative and impactful.

_{Professional relevancy}

The social work modules have been approved, and are reviewed regularly, by the Scottish Social Services Council. 

Who should study this course?

If you do not require a qualification to practise social work, but wish to enhance and develop your social work skills and knowledge at Master's level, this course is for you. Without the requirement for practice placements, the qualification can be achieved within one year.

If you are a postgraduate student wishing to develop a research profile, or to further your career in terms of practice or leadership, this course is also suitable.

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

The University of Dundee has been given a Gold award – the highest possible rating – in the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

Read more about the Teaching Excellence Framework

What You'll Study

_{How you will be taught}

At the University of Dundee, we emphasise the development of autonomous and self-directed learning, with support and guidance through structured personal tutor and module leaders. Our approaches include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Group based discussions
• Enquiry and action learning – collaborative research and problem solving.
• Collaborative group inquiry activities (including inter-professional collaboration)
• Online materials - discussion boards, academic activities, core materials and signposts to literature.
• Independent and autonomous study and research which is supported and guided by module leaders and /or personal tutors.
• Option for work based project to situate learning and research.

Modules

• Core Module: Research Methods for Professional Inquiry (PD50177)
• Core module: Collaborative Working (PD50214)
• Core module: Decision Making (SW50017)
• Core Module: Dissertation (PD50206)

Optional modules

The optional modules available to students include the following:

• Caring within Integrated Services (SW50018)
• Leadership, change and Organisational Development (PD50175)

_{How you will be assessed}

Assessment methods will include a combination of:

• reflective and critical essays
• oral presentations
• research visualisations
• research reports

Careers

The programme will prepare you for your chosen career in social work or a related field and gives you the flexibility and choice about how best to do this. The scope for applying advanced social work skills is vast - social workers are employed in a wide variety of settings, beyond what might traditionally be considered 'social work.'

Fees & Funding

The fees you pay will depend on your fee status. Your fee status is determined by us using the information you provide on your application.

_{Additional costs}

You may incur additional costs in the course of your education at the University over and above tuition fees in an academic year.

Additional costs:

• may be mandatory or optional expenses
• may be one off, ongoing or incidental charges and certain costs may be payable annually for each year of your programme of study
• vary depending on your programme of study
• are payable by you and are non-refundable and non-transferable

Unfortunately, failure to pay additional costs may result in limitations on your student experience.

For additional costs specific to your course please speak to our Enquiry Team.

Your Application

You apply for this course via the UCAS Postgraduate website which is free of charge. You can check the progress of your application online and you can also make multiple applications.

You'll need to upload relevant documents as part of your application. Please read the how to apply page before you apply to find out about what you'll need.

Visit the MSc Advanced Social Work Studies page on the University of Dundee website for more details!