University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School for Policy Studies > Social Work Research (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9SPOL001T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Sandra Dowling
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
All units taken at the M-level. The programme does not aim to produce a stage-wise progression in the intellectual development of students over the course of the programme. Students who have successfully completed the post-graduate certificate will be able to: demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of: the ontology, epistemology and methodology of social science research; the scope and distinctiveness of social work/practice research; social work/practice research design, methodology and methods; and the practical and ethical issues in the design and conduct of social work/practice research |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Stage 1: All units taken at the M-level. The programme aims to produce a stage-wise progression in the intellectual development of students over the course of the programme. Students who have successfully completed the post-graduate diploma will be able to: critically reflect on how social work/practice research can be made relevant to the ‘end users’ of their research, and how social work/practice research can inform social work/practice and policy. Relevant knowledge and skills gained include: qualitative and quantitative research methods as applied to social work/practice; the critical appraisal and evaluation of social work/practice research; the design and conduct of social work/practice research, including research with and for marginalised, oppressed and vulnerable groups in society; and writing social work/practice research proposals using quantitative and qualitative designs and methods, which take into account practical and ethical issues. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
Stage 2: The dissertation is the culmination of the student's progress through the degree programme (Stage 1) and s/he applies the appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed to a piece of social work/practice research (presented in a dissertation of 10,000 - 15,000 words ) supervised by a member of academic staff. Students who successfully complete their dissertation for the MSc will be able to demonstrate an ability to carry out a piece of social work/practice research and/or a systematic review of practice evidence, in order to analyse and synthesise relevant information about social work/practice and/or policy in the field of social work. They will demonstrate their ability to study relatively independently, and to contribute original knowledge and understanding to the discipline. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
SPS PG Admin Team - sps-pgadmin@bristol.ac.uk
The programme can also be studied on a part-time basis over 2-5 years.
The programme leads to one of two awards and is organised so that a student entering with the intention of studying for the PG diploma has the opportunity to progress to the MSc, provided they have achieved a pass mark of 50% in all coursework and have the requisite credit points.
The programme is delivered through a combination of intensive block teaching and weekly delivery so as to be most accessible to postgraduate students, busy policy professionals and practitioners. The delivery of units on the programme is designed to allow students to accumulate credits flexibly and organise the patterns of attendance to suit their own needs and circumstances.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences (SPS) | SPOLM0013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences (SPS) | SPOLM0014 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences (SPS) | SPOLM0015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Social Work Research Dissertation | SPOLM0039 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Students take 20 credit points from the following: | ||||
Further Quantitative Methods | SPOLM0016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Further Qualitative Methods | SPOLM0017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Students take 40 credit points from the following: | ||||
SPOLM0016/SPOLM0017 can only be taken as an optional unit if not already taken as a mandatory unit. | ||||
Further Quantitative Methods | SPOLM0016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Further Qualitative Methods | SPOLM0017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Digital Transformation of Public Services | SPOLM0061 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Inclusive Research with Disabled People | ACHSM0001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Supervised Independent Study | SPOLM4300 | 20 | Optional | AYEAR |
The Economics of Public Policy | SPOLM1062 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Disabled Childhoods | SPOLM0050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Gender and Violence: International and Global Perspectives | SPOLM1067 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The International Analysis of Poverty and Social Exclusion | SPOLM1068 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Migration, asylum and human rights: EU and global policy perspectives. | SPOLM0042 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
MSc Social Work Research | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Level M/7 Postgraduate Masters - While it is not essential (or indeed practical in some cases) for students to have successfully completed all the taught units before commencing the dissertation research, it is expected that the majority of taught units will have been taken by this stage. Please note that students are still subject to the progression rules in the code of practice.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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