MSc Social Work

This two-year professional programme is designed for people who want to qualify and practise as a professional social worker. The programme leads to a nationally and internationally recognised professional social work qualification and graduates are eligible to register as a qualified social worker with Social Work England.

Qualifying for a postgraduate degree at Bristol means that you can work with both children and adults. You will support people to identify their strengths and build their self-confidence, help them to overcome problems in times of crisis, and link with other services.

The teaching staff at Bristol include experienced practitioners who have worked in a variety of social work settings including child and adult safeguarding, domestic violence and abuse, school social work, foster care, physical and learning difficulties, mental health, youth offending, and hospital social work. At our research-intensive university, the programme's teaching team is also active in research, holding a wide range of funded social work research projects nationally and internationally.

Working as a social worker requires an ability to appraise complex and difficult situations, drawing on social science research, social work theories and intervention methods. To be considered for enrolment in this programme you will need to demonstrate an understanding of social work (this could be within the United Kingdom or internationally). Upon completion you will have a thorough understanding of social policies and a firm grasp of the legal powers and duties that underpin practice in England.

The MSc in Social Work combines university-based learning with two extended periods of supervised practice as a student social worker. Your practice placements will consist of learning across two contrasting practice settings, together with skills training. By completing this degree, you will be eligible to register with a social work regulatory body (such as Social Work England) and practise as a qualified professional social worker in a range of settings, and in a number of countries (contingent upon country-specific requirements).

You will develop an understanding of the structural and personal factors that lead to disadvantage, oppression and discrimination, and learn how to apply this understanding to your practice. You will develop values and skills as a reflective practitioner, appraising relevant evidence - including research - to evaluate your own and other people's work and to contribute to the development of policy and practice.

To explore the programme in more depth, view these videos which include interviews with previous students.

More general information about the role and duties of social workers in the United Kingdom can be accessed through the British Association of Social Workers (BASW). BASW is the UK's professional membership organisation for social workers.