MA, 2 years full time
Subject overview
Social work at Sussex was ranked 1st in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2014, 2nd in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2014 and 4th in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2013.
Our core research themes are pedagogy of professional education, policy and practice across the life-course, and professional knowledges and methodologies.
There is a developing portfolio of flexible study opportunities for practitioners from a wide range of disciplines, and for those interested in pursuing research qualifications. The MSc in Social Research Methods offers ESRC-recognised research training in social work research methods. Our thriving DSW and ESRC-recognised PhD degrees provide excellent opportunities for disciplinary and interdisciplinarity doctoral-level study.
Relationships with local social welfare agencies are excellent. Joint projects include development, training and research initiatives.
Programme outline
This MA is a fast-track route to professional qualification, completed within two academic years (21 months). It provides a range of stimulating learning opportunities, led by faculty members who are at the forefront of research in their field.
It provides you with the opportunity to consider critically the roles, knowledge and values of social work, with particular reference to effecting personal and social change.
Working within a supportive learning environment, you develop the crucial skills of independent and collaborative group learning, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and the involvement of service users and carers.
200 days are devoted to learning in practice settings, drawing on our excellent partnerships with local social work, social care and health agencies.
Candidates should note that the MA in Social Work is in the process of revision to meet new regulatory requirements for the social work profession.
Assessing suitability for professional study
Prior to interview, all applicants are required to disclose any criminal convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands, even if ‘spent’, and any issues of concern will be explored. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) enhanced checks are required for all successful applicants prior to course entry. Failure to divulge relevant
information relating to suitability (offences or other) at any stage, or the receipt of an unsatisfactory CRB check, will usually result in any offer being withdrawn.
Funding
Bursaries are available for most MA students who are normally resident in England. Fees are paid in part by the NHS Business Services Authority. Some students seek secondment from a local authority, and grants are then payable by the seconding authority. Contact the relevant training section of the local authority for further information.
We continue to develop and update our modules for 2013 entry to ensure you have the best student experience. In addition to the course structure below, you may find it helpful to refer to the 2012 modules tab.
Year 1: Dissertation work • Human Development and Social Relationships • Law and Social Policy • Partnership and Interprofessional Practice • Practice Placement • Research Methods • Theory, Methods and Values.
Year 2: Dissertation • Practice Placement • Situating Social Work • Theory, Methods and Values in Children’s/Adult Services Settings.
Assessment
Assessment methods include essays, presentations, placement reports, case studies and a 15,000-word dissertation.
Other awards associated with the MA in Social Work
The MA in Social Work is the primary degree, combining credit for both M-level academic work and level 3 credit for social work practice. The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work will be awarded to students on the MA who do not complete a dissertation at pass level. Both the MA and the Postgraduate Diploma are approved routes to qualified social work.
The MA in Applied Social Care may be awarded to candidates who meet the requirements for an academic award only, not a professional qualification. The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Care may be awarded to students not achieving practice requirements and not achieving sufficient M-level credits for the award of a Masters degree.
Current modules
Please note that these are the core modules and options (subject to availability) for students starting in the academic year 2012.
Year 1
Core modules
Year 2
Core modules
Human Development and Social Relationships
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of key theories of human growth and development in the context of social relationships. In particular the module will: critically examine developmental and socio-cultural concepts, such as attachment, resilience, loss and change, identity and self in relation to their relevance to social work policy and practice, explore the social, political and professional contexts in which developmental pathways and social relationships are established, maintained and changed, especially in respect of the influence of class, 'race', gender, sexuality and disablement, consider these issues of selfhood in relation to others across the human life-course from conception to death.
Law and Social Policy
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
This module introduces the statutory and policy contexts of ethical social work practice. It provides the opportunity to: acquire knowledge about, and critically examine, the legal rules underpinning social work practice, acquire knowledge about and critically examine the policy and organisational context of social work, explore the contested and ambiguous dynamics of power and discrimination through which the values and ethics of social work are applied or negotiated within legal and policy frameworks, critically reflect on the process by which lawful, ethical and evidence-based judgements and decisions are made in social work practice in respect of questions of vulnerability, need, harm, risk, safety, protection and care.
Partnership and Inter-professional Practice
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 1
In this module the focus is on the inter-professional context of contemporary social work practice. The opportunity is provided to critically analyse theory, research and experience in relation to: collaboration and partnership in context, models of collaboration and inter-professional teamwork, inter-professional partnership with people who use services and carers, values, ethics and accountability in inter-professional practice.
Research Methods and Dissertation
60 credits
All year teaching, year 1
This module consists of two parts: a workshop sequence which introduces you to the idea of research-mindedness in social work and research methods for evidence-based practice, and guides your planning of a research proposal; and a supervision framework, which provides academic guidance and personal support during the process of approval of title and dissertation preparation.
Social Work Practice 1
0 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, year 1
The Social Work Practice 1 placement provides the opportunity to gain required experience of direct practice and learning in the social work role in one social work practice setting and to reflect critically on this experience. The social work practice teaching and supervision enables you to maximise your learning from both personal experience, theoretical literature and empirical research relevant to the practice setting
This will include opportunities for skills teaching and development including the opportunity to develop competence and values in practice towards the standard required for registration as a qualified social work practitioner. Your practice will be informed and developed according to the principles of valuing diversity and equalities awareness that underpin ethical and effective social work. This module will give you the opportunity to understand and experience the inter-professional context of partnership working in social work practice.
Theory, Methods and Values in Practice 1
30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, year 1
This module examines the nature of the contemporary social work role and task. It draws in particular upon psycho-social and ecological perspectives to explore in detail the relationship between individuals experiencing difficulties and their social and economic environments.
You will have the opportunity to consider the process of identity formation for people who use services and the relationship between this and the external environments in which difficulties arise. You will increase your own self awareness and explore the ways in which they can build effective relationships with people who use services, utilising a strengths based approach to effect change in a variety of circumstances. You will also critically examine the nature and role of contemporary social work including an exploration of power, oppression and policy formation and implementation, and obtain a clear appreciation of the complexities and ambiguities of the contexts in which social work takes place. A consideration of social work values and ethics runs throughout this module and will be integrated into the teaching as will a focus upon developing a research minded approach to your work. You will also examine recent changes to social work practice and current themes, including risk, working in partnership, user involvement.
Situating Social Work
15 credits
Autumn teaching, year 2
This module provides an opportunity to review and critique contemporary changes and innovations in social work policy and practice in the UK in the light of global as well as local demands on the social work profession. It provides the opportunity for comparative analysis of policy and practice in relation to key social work roles including the safeguarding and protection and care and wellbeing of adults and children.
Social Work Practice 2
0 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, year 2
This module is directly linked with the second practice placement (SWP2). It provides the opportunity for the further consolidation and extension of knowledge and understanding of social work roles and tasks and the development of skill and competence in social work practice. In line with GSSC and CWDC policy it enables practice to become increasingly specialised in the chosen setting.
The placement provides: the opportunity to gain additional experience of direct practice and learning in the social work role in a social work practice setting that differs from Social Work Practice 1, and to reflect critically on this experience; social work practice teaching and supervision that enables maximisation of learning from both personal experience, theoretical literature and empirical research relevant to the practice setting. This will include opportunities for skills teaching and development; the opportunity to further develop competence and values in practice towards the standard required for registration as a qualified social work practitioner; the chance to further inform practice with the principles of valuing diversity and equalities awareness that underpin ethical and effective social work by doing so in a second practice setting and with a different group of people using the service; the opportunity to understand and experience the inter-professional context of partnership working in social work practice in that second setting.
Theory, Methods and Values in Practice 2
30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, year 2
Entry requirements
UK entrance requirements and application details
A first- or second-class undergraduate honours degree; six to nine months' relevant practice experience; and both GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and English, with at least grade C in each.
All applications for MA Social Work must be submitted online via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The course code is L508 and the initial deadline for applications is 15 January 2013. Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered only if space is available. An on time application is therefore strongly advised. Full details about the UCAS Apply service can be found on the ucas website.
During the selection process, applicants will need to demonstrate high standards of written and spoken English, appropriate personal and intellectual qualities and a commitment to the values of social work and care. Selection currently takes place in three stages. Those passing the initial screening based on the UCAS application are invited to complete further documentation, including an extended personal statement. Those successful at this second stage are invited to attend a selection day, which includes an interview.
Prior to interview all applicants are required to disclose any criminal convictions, cautions, warnings and reprimands (even if 'spent') and any issues of concern will be explored. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) enhanced checks are required for all successful applicants prior to course entry. Failure to divulge relevant information relating to suitability (offences or other) at any stage, or the receipt of an unsatisfactory CRB check, will usually result in any offer being withdrawn.
Candidates should note that the MA in Social Work is in the process of revision to meet new regulatory requirements for the social work profession.
Overseas entrance requirements
Please refer to column B on the Overseas qualifications.
If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas
qualifications table, contact the University.
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Visas and immigration
Find out more about Visas and immigration.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each section. Internet TOEFL with 95 overall, with at least 22 in Listening, 23 in Reading, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex
For pre-application enquiries:
Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
For post-application enquiries:
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
Related programme
Fees and funding
Fees
Home UK/EU students: £5,5001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £5,5002
Overseas students: £13,0003
1
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3
The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Faculty interests
Research interests are briefly described below. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Social Work and Social Care.
- Childhood and youth studies
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Professor Robin Banerjee Social and emotional development of pupils, self-conscious cognition and emotion, self-presentational behaviour.
Dr Janet Boddy Parents and families, parent and child health and well-being, parenting and family support, children in or at the edges of care, social pedagogy, cross-national research.
Professor Suzy Braye Social work practice and the law, policy implementation and professional practice, community care provision.
Professor PennyJane Burke Widening access to and participation in Higher Education; critical and feminist pedagogies; gender and identity formations; challenging inequalities in higher education; participatory methodologies.
Dr Rachel Burr Social work, child rights, international aid, international social work, ethnographic-based research methods, Vietnam.
Dr Anne-Meike Fechter Indonesia, South East Asia; corporate expatriates, transnationalism, development practitioners.
Cath Holmström Admissions and selection for social work education, experiences of younger students on qualifying social work courses.
Barry Luckock Social policy and social work with children, social work practice and education, adoption, fostering and permanency planning.
Dr Tish Marrable Children with ‘additional needs’, interprofessional working and professional supervision in integrated teams.
Professor Rachel Thomson Childhood and youth studies, young people’s transitions to adulthood, sexuality and sex education.
Dr Jo Westbrook Learning to read, comprehension, wider reading, teacher education in the UK and developing countries, action research.
Dr Benjamin Zeitlyn Access to education, dropout, development, migration, transnationalism, childhoods, ethnic minorities, Islam.
- Social work
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Professor Suzy Braye Social work practice and the law, policy implementation and professional practice, community care provision.
Dr Lisa (Henglien) Chen Social gerontology, care policies and services for older people and family carers; long-term care resources.
Cath Holmström Admissions and selection for social work education, experiences of younger students on qualifying social work courses.
Sharon Lambley Policy evaluation research; research into management and leadership within health, social care and Higher Education.
Dr Michelle Lefevre Social work communication and direct work with children and young people, children with complex care needs.
Barry Luckock Social policy and social work with children, social work practice and education, adoption, fostering and permanency planning.
Dr Tish Marrable Children with ‘additional needs’, interprofessional working and professional supervision in integrated teams.
Dr Sevasti-Melissa Nolas Participation and inclusion of socially marginalised children and young people, supporting community learning.
Dr David Orr Mental health and mental illness; education in health and social care, and culturally sensitive care; transcultural psychiatry.
Dr Elaine Sharland Developing research methodologies and capacity in social work and social care, research ethics.
Professor Imogen Taylor Pedagogic research in Higher Education: learning for professional practice in social work and related professions.
Dr Russell Whiting Religion and spirituality in social work practice and education, professional values and ethics, history of social work.
Careers and profiles
Our graduates go 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 continue their professional development through postqualifying courses and go on to take leadership roles in the profession.
For more information, visit Careers and alumni.
School and contacts
School of Education and Social Work
The School of Education and Social Work combines two very strong departments with excellent reputations, and serves the needs of its students as well as those of the wider community.
Course Co-ordinator, Essex House,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9QQ, UK
T +44 (0)1273 872595
F +44 (0)1273 877534
E eswenquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Department of Social Work and Social Care
Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
You’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.
Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.
Other ways to visit Sussex
We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.
You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.