MSW Social Work

at Durham University

Course Structure

The MSW is structured around seven modules designed to meet the academic and practice learning requirements for a degree in social work.

Year 1
 

• Social Work in Practice (40 credits): Understanding perspectives of service users and carers; social exclusion; social policy and law for social work

• Social Work in Context (40 credits): Human growth and development through the life course, disability and mental health; social work theories and methods; working in organisations

• Professional and Personal Development (30 credits): Principles, values and ethics; critical thinking and evidence-based practice; skills development; Interprofessional working

• Social Work Practice 1 (50 credits): 70-day practice placement in a partner agency.

Year 2
 

• Research in Social Work (45 credits): Research and evaluation design and methods; ethical issues in social welfare research; dissertation

• Advanced Social Work (30 credits): Advanced application of theories and methods; critical analysis of social work policy; protection and empowerment of vulnerable children, young people and adults

• Social Work Practice 2 (70 credits): 100-day practice placement.

• Normally a minimum second class honours degree (2:1)
• GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English grade 4 (or C) or above, or equivalent, at the time of application
• Applicants must have sufficient recent experience (in employment, as a volunteer, as a service user or carer) in social care, health care or related voluntary setting to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the capabilities of a social worker as indicated at the entry level of the Professional Capabilities Framework. As a guideline, this period of experience is unlikely to be less than six months
• Applicants for who English is not your first language will be required to demonstrate evidence of English Language Competence equivalent to IELTS 7 with no element less than 6.5.

You will also be required to:
 

• Attend an interview*
• Demonstrate fitness to undergo social work training.

Fees and funding
 

• Home students    £8,065 per year
• EU students    £21,200 per year
• Island students    £8,065 per year
• International students    £21,200 per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Our degrees are an excellent foundation for careers in a wide range of sectors, including health and welfare, the Civil Service, local government, the voluntary sector, banking and academia. We support students in gaining excellent employability skills. As well as pursuing further study, recent graduates have proceeded to careers with a range of high-profile employers.