Social Work, MSc

This is a tightly structured course, comprising eight compulsory modules over the two years, including a dissertation in your second year.  

To apply for this course you will need:

• A UK degree (2:2 or above) in a social work/social science-related discipline, plus Maths and English or Welsh GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent, e.g. Key Skills level 2 (QCDA) Numeracy or ‘Application of number’, e.g. Key Skills level 2 (QCDA) Communication.
• You will need to demonstrate awareness and understanding of the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care.
• Applicants are required to have undertaken over 300 hours of direct social care work

The course is both academic and practice-based, you will complete a minimum of 200 days practice learning across the two years. Half of the programme is devoted to supervised practice in social service agencies, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn through observation, rehearsal and performance. The social work placements take place in the local authorities of Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion.

Your learning will be assessed through written essays, oral presentations, I.T. based exercises, reflective commentaries and portfolio work across the two years of study.

Practice placements are assessed by a combination of written work, observed practice and personal assessments using the National Occupational Standards for Social Work.

You will also be expected to complete a research dissertation and poster presentation in your second year of study (15,000 words approx.) with support from an assigned supervisor. 

Covid update

For this year, this course will be taught in a ‘blended’ way. This means that some teaching will be done online and some will be on campus. 

You’re face-to-face, on campus sessions will be a mixture of:

Module tutorials

Academic mentoring

Clinical skills and practical sessions

Action learning sets

Clinical competency outcomes

Student welfare support

Your online learning and teaching may include:

Webinars

Peer Group Work

Academic consultation office hours

Virtual OSCE practice/assessment

Hot topic debates and discussions

Revision sessions

Q&A time

On-demand e-lectures

Self-paced module content

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Academic Mentor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Accredited by Social Care Cymru

All teaching staff members on the course are research active and involved in research activity at both national and international level which spans a number of interest areas including: looked-after children, sexuality and wellbeing, service user and carer involvement in education, asylum seeking children and migration, children’s rights and welfare, and social inclusion and care needs of older people.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Apply for the MSc in Social Work through UCAS 

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.