Social Work - MA

Benefit from a range of stimulating learning opportunities led by academic faculty, experienced practitioners and experts by experience (service users and carers).

Working within a supportive study environment, you develop crucial skills for independent and collaborative learning.

How will I study?

Assessment methods include essays, an examination, oral and visual presentations, a viva voce, placement reports, case studies and a 12,000-word dissertation.

All elements of the Social Work MA assessment are mandatory and you must pass them all. It is not possible to miss an aspect of course assessment on the grounds of illness and be awarded the Social Work MA on the basis of marks for the remaining aspects of assessment.

Work placement

You complete 200 practice development days, drawing on our excellent partnerships with local service users, carers and social work, social care and health agencies:
-170 days in two social work placements – the first for 70 days (in the voluntary or private sector) and the second for 100 days (preparing you to undertake statutory interventions). You are supported by a practice educator and a University tutor
-30 days of Practice Development Workshops delivered by experienced practitioners, academic faculty and experts by experience (service users and carers).

These specialist placement and learning pathways give you experience of both children’s and adults’ social work.

Other awards associated with the Social Work MA

The course may lead to any one of four awards:
-Applied Social Care PGDip, with satisfactory completion of all elements of the course except the placements and dissertation
-Applied Social Care MA, with satisfactory completion of all elements of the course except the placements
-Social Work PGDip, with satisfactory completion of all elements of the course except the dissertation
-Social Work MA, with satisfactory completion of all elements of the course

Only successful completion of the Social Work MA or PGDip entitles you to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a social worker.

Scholarships

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals.

Chancellor's International Scholarship (2017)
-25 scholarships of a 50% tuition fee waiver
-Application deadline: 1 May 2017

HESPAL Scholarship (Higher Education Scholarships Scheme for the Palestinian Territories) (2017)
-Two full fee waivers in conjuction with maintenance support from the British Council
-Application deadline: 1 January 2017

PGCE First-Generation Scholars Award (2017)
-£600 maintenance award to PGCE students with a household income below £42,875

USA Friends Scholarships (2017)
-A scholarship of an amount equivalent to $10,000 for nationals or residents of the USA on a one year taught Masters degree course
-Application deadline: 3 April 2017

Careers

Our graduates have gone on to work in the field of professional social work and are highly sought after by employers, working with children and families and in adult social care.

Many pursue learning through continuing professional development courses and progress to take leadership roles in the profession.

Visit the Social Work - MA page on the University of Sussex website for more details!