This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.
What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?
IMPORTANT: Please read the additional regulations specific to this MSc Social Work as some of the text below may not apply.
All units are must pass in order to meet the professional requirements of Social Work England. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
| Unit name | Unit code | Credit points | Status | Teaching Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work Studies | SPOLM5102 | 40 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
| Practice Learning 1 | SPOLM5103 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
| Foundations of Social Work: The Professional Role | SPOLM0032 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
| Applied Social Science and Law | SPOLM0034 | 40 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
| Research Methods in Social Work | SPOLM0057 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
| 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.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma in Social Work, students must have successfully completed 260 credit points in total through successful completion of all the taught and practice learning components of the programme.
Students who satisfy the academic requirements and achieve 60, 120, or 180 credit points, but who either:
(a) do not to proceed to the postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Social Work, or
(b) fail the practice learning components or are otherwise deemed unsuitable for professional social work
will be eligible respectively for the award of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science in Social Welfare Studies. The 180 credits for the MSc in Social Welfare Studies must include 60 credits awarded as a result of successful completion of the dissertation.
Awards in Social Welfare Studies do not meet the professional requirements for registration as a Social Worker.
