Course details

Study options

Full-time: 2 years

UK fee

£8,100 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

Course level

Postgraduate

Qualification

MA

Start date

September

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Course description

Partnerships with people

Social workers form partnerships with people, helping them to assess and interpret the problems they face, and support them in finding solutions. This course will provide you with the skills and theories that will enable you to work as a qualified social worker in a range of settings. A career in social work is very challenging, but equally rewarding, as you get the opportunity to help make a difference in someone's life.

Engaging placements

During this course, you'll spend 170 days in work placements where you can apply the theory you learn into practice. You'll have 80 days in practice during stage one, and 90 days during stage two.

We have great links with our partners in the local and surrounding areas, so we can provide you with the effective and practical experience you'll need.

We’re proud to say that our courses are closely mapped against the health and social care sector. This ensures that our curriculum is up-to-date, providing you with the assurance that your learning is current and relevant. This does mean that we do have to respond to national changes, such as government policy. As a result, some of the information about our courses may change. Please check the website for the latest information.

Placement hours are subject to change.

Multi-Faith Centre, Kedleston Road

Postgraduate Open Event

Join us at an upcoming Postgraduate Open Event, where you will get the opportunity to meet our expert academics and find out more about your course.

Book your Postgraduate Open EventBook your Postgraduate Open Event

What you will study

Your first year will give you the opportunity to develop core skills and knowledge in subjects such as Social Work Law and Policy, Critical Perspectives of Social Work and a placement of 80 days.

In your second year you’ll build on the knowledge and skills acquired in year one, and you’ll continue to develop your practical and reflective skills in a 90 day placement. You’ll then engage in a research project which will encourage you to apply theoretical and empirical knowledge to research and practice.

You’ll study modules such as:

  • Contemporary Issues in Social Work
  • Preparation for Practice Learning
  • Social Work Law
  • Practice Learning 1
  • Practice learning 2
  • Youth Justice
  • Safeguarding Adults
  • Protecting and Safeguarding Children and Young People
  • Independent Study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

Our teaching team includes several qualified social workers with many years of experience working in the sector. Some of the classroom-based activities include lectures, small group work, case discussions and debates. During this course, you’ll spend 170 days in work placements where the theory you have learnt can be put into practice. All placements are allocated for you and will give you a broad range of experience.

You'll be taught by an experienced team which includes:

How you'll be assessed

Our teaching team uses a range of interesting assessment techniques to provide you with appropriate challenges and assess your development. These include written assignments, presentations, role play and oral examinations. 

Entry requirements

You'll need:

Accreditation of prior learning will not be considered for this course

*Experience can take the form of voluntary or paid work in which you are able to demonstrate interaction with children and adults in a range of diverse settings.  For example, this could be acting as a peer mentor, working within a nursery setting, having caring responsibilities for a sibling or parent, and understanding and applying safeguarding measures or working in a care home and supporting residents with welfare needs.

Interview information

Fees and funding

2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)

TypeFull-timePart-time
UK

£8,100 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

Additional costs and optional extras

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Any postgraduate social work bursaries awarded to the University of Derby (by NHSBSA) will be allocated according to the following criteria: performance from the admission process: Stage 1 written test and the Stage 2 interview. These are both completed during the admissions process.

Additional costs and optional extras

Students chatting to each other

International student scholarships

We have a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students which can be used together to offer a reduction in your tuition fees.

Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


Careers

There's a growing demand for qualified social workers who can work in a variety of fields, and this course prepares you for that. You could work with issues such as child protection, vulnerable adults, mental health, disability, older adults and youth justice. These may exist in a variety of settings such as hospitals, day centres, area offices, residential centres, voluntary sectors and schools.

Once you are a qualified social worker, you'll be expected to continue your professional development so you can keep up-to-date with current trends in the sector and keep your skills updated.

Contact us

EnquiryEmailPhone
Catherine John-Baptiste (Programme Leader) C.John-Baptiste@derby.ac.uk 01332 594145

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Download programme specification

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Optional costs not included in your fees

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

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