MA Social Work

at Goldsmiths University of London

Goldsmiths has a long tradition of social work education, and our programmes are internationally regarded as excellent in both practice learning and critical studies. They also have a strong focus on anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice.

We have a lively programme of research taking place in areas as diverse as:

• the links between child abuse and domestic violence
• multi-family group work with teenage parents
• service user perspectives and transnational adoption
• mental health social workers' use of mental health laws and coercion
• equality and diversity in social work education
• the effects of political conflict on social work practice and education
• reflective professional social work practice
• evaluative approaches to service provision
• creative social work and innovative practice

Our research informs and underpins our teaching and students are invited to share our interests as well as develop their own through undertaking a small-scale research project and developing their research mindedness in a final year Dissertation.
Find out more about service user and carer involvement in social work education at Goldsmiths.

Successful applicants on the MA in Social Work commit to studying on a full-time taught course over two years. On successful completion, you will receive a MA in Social Work which is the professional entry qualification to be a social worker and it enables you to apply for registration as a social worker.

The curriculum aims to provide you with the value, knowledge and skill base for practice and is organised around study units, workshops, lectures/seminar modules, projects and private study. The teaching and learning opportunities centre on the key areas of the social sciences and their application to Social Work practice, as well developing your intellectual capacity, and the skills necessary to get you ready for practice. There is an expectation that you attend at least 85% of all aspects of the programme. 

The structured learning includes specific learning in:

• human growth and development, mental health and disability
• social work theories and methods; assessment, planning, intervention and review
• communication skills with children, adults and those with particular communication needs
• law, and partnership working across professional disciplines and agencies
• social science research methods, including ethical issues

Practice is central to the programme, and there will be practice placements in two settings and with different service user groups (eg child care and mental health). The learning on the programme builds over the two years and prepares you to apply your knowledge to practice situations. We work closely with a range of practice organisations in the Greater London Area. The placements are allocated by our placement tutor and matched with individual profiles. In some instances, you may have to travel long distances to your placement organisation. You will need to cover the cost of travel to your placement. You will be expected to work the core hours.

To be accepted onto the programme you must: 

• Have (or expect to be awarded) a first or an upper second-class honours degree or lower second class honours plus a postgraduate degree (such as an MA or MSc) or PGCE or appropriate professional qualification equivalent to a first degree
• Have a Grade C or above in GCSE English or certified equivalent (eg Level 2 Key or Functional Skills Literacy or Numeracy)
• Have a minimum of 12 months' full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant voluntary or paid work experience (normally within the last two years), of which a minimum of 6 months' full-time experience must have been gained by the time of application and a further 6 months' full-time experience by the start of the degree. Please make sure you read our work experience guide for more information about the experience that we accept.
• Have the understanding and personal, intellectual, and professional qualities to become a social worker and can demonstrate this through relevant social work experience.
• It is a requirement of entry onto the course that students possess an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Therefore, any offer of a place will be conditional on a satisfactory DBS enhanced disclosure, which students are required to pay for

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2022/2023 academic year.

• Home - full-time: £9260
• International - full-time: £20250

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

Skills
You'll develop the ability to practise social work in a wide variety of settings with different service user groups.

Careers
The programme will enable you to register and practise as a qualified social worker.