Social Work MA

Course Content

• Course Details

  The Social Work MA programme is built on recognising the unique contribution that social work practitioners make to the lives of individuals. The programme reflects a commitment to social work values and ethics, as well as a commitment to emancipatory practice that puts users by experience at the centre of practice.

  The above is achieved through a curriculum that is both academic and practice based. The academic components of the curriculum are concerned with sociological and psychological theories, as well  as social work theories, methods and approaches that are foundational for social work practice.  Additionally, students are not just taught the importance of legislation and policy, but importantly they are instructed in how to apply it so as promote social justice.

  The practice based component of the programme consists of two practice placements and thirty Skills days. Beginning with the practice placements, they are 70 and 100 days in length respectively and take place in the first and second year of the programme. The practice placements allow students to take their academic learning into various social work environments, and with the support of Practice Educators and the Placement Visiting Team, students hone their skills and knowledge.

  The Skills Days focus on developing your communication and assessment skills, as well as your knowledge of different areas of social work practice. Skills Days are interactive and use a range of teaching methods, including workshops, online sessions and simulation suites. The development of the Skills Days has been informed by both Knowledge and Skills Statement for Child and Family Practitioners (2014) and the Knowledge and Skills Statement for Adult Social Workers (2015).

  As part of the University’s commitment to provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to practice 21st century social work, students are expected to complete a dissertation.  From the outset this dissertation demands skills associated with planning, the communication of complex information, a focus on users by experience and an ability to question robustly legislation, policy and social work practice, with a view to identifying solutions and better ways of working that are about improved outcomes for those in society that are most vulnerable.

  For more information about social work, professional bodies, adult and children services, community work and more, please see the useful websites:

  • The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)
  • Community Care
  • The British Association of Social Workers and the Professional Capability Framework
  • Social Work England (SWE)
  • Knowledge and Skills Standards for Adult Service and for Child and Family Social Work.

  We look forward to welcoming you onto our programme.

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• Fees and Funding

  UK & EU

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  January 2021 Intake

  Year 1: £4,050
  Year 2: £4,050

  The course is charged over 2 years.

  Social Work Bursary

  There are limited numbers of postgraduate Social Work bursaries awarded by the NHS Business Service Authority for those enrolled on our MA Social Work programme. Postgraduate Social Work students can apply for a bursary to help you with your living costs. If you’re eligible for a bursary, you’ll get a contribution towards your tuition fees. To be eligible for the Social Work Bursary, you must satisfy the residency conditions. For more information and to apply, please visit the NHS website.

  Please note that if you are successfully awarded the Postgraduate Social Work bursary, you will not able to apply for the student finance.

  Placement Travel Allowance (PTA)

  If you aren’t allocated a bursary, but meet the eligibility criteria, you’ll receive a PTA of £862.50 towards your travel expenses at the beginning of your academic year.

  If you’re allocated a bursary, your PTA will be included as part of your bursary so you won’t receive any further help for travel.

  Additional costs

  Travel costs to and from placements, and extra costs associated with placements, may be incurred throughout your studies depending on where you are based.

  The extra costs incurred by placement should be covered by the postgraduate Social Work bursary, or in the event of not receiving a bursary, the above PTA is a standalone contribution.

  Additional Information

  Placement learning opportunities can be outside of Northampton to cover diverse placement opportunities to meet your learning and practice needs. You will need to be able to travel independently. Placements are located within a 60 mile radius of the University.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  January 2020 Intake

  Year 1: £4,050
  Year 2: £4,050

  The course is charged over 2 years.

  Social Work Bursary

  There are limited numbers of postgraduate Social Work bursaries awarded by the NHS Business Service Authority for those enrolled on our MA Social Work programme. Postgraduate Social Work students can apply for a bursary to help you with your living costs. If you’re eligible for a bursary, you’ll get a contribution towards your tuition fees. To be eligible for the Social Work Bursary, you must satisfy the residency conditions. For more information and to apply, please visit the NHS website.

  Please note that if you are successfully awarded the Postgraduate Social Work bursary, you will not able to apply for the student finance.

  Placement Travel Allowance (PTA)

  If you aren’t allocated a bursary, but meet the eligibility criteria, you’ll receive a PTA of £862.50 towards your travel expenses at the beginning of your academic year.

  If you’re allocated a bursary, your PTA will be included as part of your bursary so you won’t receive any further help for travel.

  Additional costs

  Travel costs to and from placements, and extra costs associated with placements, may be incurred throughout your studies depending on where you are based.

  The extra costs incurred by placement should be covered by the postgraduate Social Work bursary, or in the event of not receiving a bursary, the above PTA is a standalone contribution.

  Additional Information

  Placement learning opportunities can be outside of Northampton to cover diverse placement opportunities to meet your learning and practice needs. You will need to be able to travel independently. Placements are located within a 60 mile radius of the University.

  International

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full time: £13,750

  The course is charged in Year 1 of the course.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full time: £12,750

  The course is charged in Year 1 of the course.

  Collaspe
• Practice Placement

  Competent practice is essential for the award and you will undertake 200 days of practice learning (placement and skills for practice) during the course. Practice learning through placement experience is undertaken in blocks of the course and skills for practice:

  30 days experiential skills for practice during Year one (in the University)
  70 days (in placement) during Year one
  100 days (in placement) during Year two.

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