Social Work (MA)

at Cardiff University

Modules
 

• Social Science Perspectives (I): The Life Course
• Understanding Evidence for Social Work Practice (I): Understanding and appraising social research
• Principles and Context of Statutory Social Work (I): Introduction to working with adults, children and families
• Introduction to Social Work Theory and Practice (I): Social work skills and underpinning theories for social work pr
• Practice Learning Placement I

Applications should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) - institute code C15, course code L508. Applications made via Cardiff University’s own admissions system will not be considered.
 

Academic requirements

Typically, you will need to have either:

• a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree
• a university-recognised equivalent academic qualification
• or three or more years' relevant experience (preferably within the last five years) and a demonstrable ability to study at final year undergraduate level (Level 6). In these instances, applicants will be asked to undertake a written task to validate their suitability for study at this level. 
   

English language requirements

IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 with 6.5 in all subskills, or an accepted equivalent.
 

Other essential requirements

You will also need to provide:
 

• evidence you have achieved GCSE Maths grade C/4, or equivalent
• evidence you have achieved a minimum of 455 hours of practice experience in a social care setting at the time of application. This is the roughly equivalent of three to four-months full-time work. Relevant experience can come from either voluntary or paid role. In occasional and exceptional circumstances personal experience(s) might also be considered. Experience should preferably be from within the last five years. The experience should enable you to demonstrate an understanding of social work/care in the context of the UK, and more specifically Wales.
• a personal statement which should identify your self-motivation to study, analytical skills, critical reasoning, and an awareness of Social Care Wales’ Code of Practice for Social Care
• and two references, preferably one academic and one practice-related. The UCAS system only allows for one reference so your second reference should be provided following submission of your application via email (this will be requested through the admissions process)
   

Application Deadline

The UCAS equal consideration deadline is 18:00 on 26 January 2022. If you submit an application after this date, we will only consider it if places are still available.
 

Selection process

We will review your application and if you meet the entry requirements, we will invite you to an interview. Due to regulatory body requirements, all interviews must be conducted in person. Offers are made based on the outcome of the interview. 
 

Enrolment conditions

If you are successful in obtaining an offer your enrolment will be subject to fulfilment of the following conditions:

• Provision of any outstanding documentation not previously provided during the admissions process (e.g. certificates, references, etc.) 
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background check with list checks for both Adults and Children. International applicants this may also be required to secure letters of good conduct, or equivalent, in accordance with University, Social Care Wales and Home Office guidance/requirements. International applicants may also be asked to secure letters of good conduct, or equivalent, in accordance with University, Social Care Wales and Home Office guidance/requirements. The cost of any background checks must be met by the applicants/students. 
• Confirmation of your Fitness-to-Practise (FTP) where appropriate 
• Confirmation of your Fitness-to-Study (FTS) from Cardiff University’s Occupational Health (OH) service 
• Successful registration with Social Care Wales as a Social Work Student 
• Successful completion of a European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) by the end of the programme of studies. The cost of any the ECDL must be met by the applicant/student.

Fees for home status

Tution Fees - £8,200(Year One) & £8,200 (Year Two) 
Deposit - £

Fees for overseas status

Tution Fees - £18,700(Year One) & £18,700 (Year Two) 
Deposit-£

Your professional development will be strengthened through strong tutorial support, a research-led teaching environment and access to a range of placement opportunities in specialist fields.
 

On successful completion of the course you qualify as a social worker and will be able to assume the title of Registered Social Worker. This enables you to become employed in a range of social work settings. We have a high employment rate for our students.
 

Placements
 

Through your studies you will undertake a series of Practice-Based Learning opportunities (PLOs) (timeframes are indicative and may be subject to change):
 

• Level 1 - 20-days (Semester 1, Year 1)

• Level 2 - 80-days (Semester 2, Year 1)

• Level 3 - 100-days (Semester 2, Year 2)
   

Practice Learning Opportunities (PLOs) (i.e. placements) are facilitated via our local authority partners, these include: Bridgend; Blaenau Gwent; Caerphilly; Cardiff; Monmouthshire, Newport; Rhondda Cynon Taff; Torfaen; and the Vale of Glamorgan. On occasion, PLOs might be provided by local authorities or social care providers outside of the partnership, this is done at the discretion of the Programme. PLOs can be in both statutory and non-statutory settings (at least one of your PLOs will be in a statutory setting).

Applicants/students do not get to choose the local authority they are hosted by, nor are they able to select the PLOs they undertake. Throughout the admissions process, and the programme of studies, information is shared with local authority partners and Social Care Wales (SCW). In some instances, information may also need to be shared with other bodies/organisations in accordance with our legal obligations.