MSc Social Work

Why choose Herts?

Sector-Recognised Accreditation: You will be eligible for registration with Social Work England as a professional Social Worker.
Teaching Excellence: You will be taught by experienced research-active Social Work practitioners from the Teaching Partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, and the Tavistock and Portman Foundation Trust.
Employment Opportunities: Graduates work as experienced Social Workers in health and social care settings.

The normal entry requirements for the programme are:

A good relevant first degree normally at 2:1 or above
Relevant paid, voluntary or life experience
Occupational Health and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance
International students are required to demonstrate an English Language capability with an overall average of IELTS 7, with no less than 7 in any band

If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level.


UCAS code	L501
Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Health and Social Work
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability
Careers

Social workers practice in a wide variety of settings with a range of service user groups and settings from adoption to end of life care and from hospitals to prisons. A former a British Prime Minister was even a social worker and social work lecturer. Depending on your interest your future career could involve work with:
- Children and their families, either to avoid family breakdown or where there is a risk of abuse of neglect
- Children with disabilities
- Young offenders
- Foster carers
- Adults with physical or mental health problems
- Refugees
- Older people
- Carers
Our programme will equip you with skills to practice with children and adults throughout their lives and in the full range of statutory and voluntary agencies which employ social workers.

Work placement

Placements are a key part of your preparation to become a social worker. Our placements team will work with you to identify your learning and development needs as well as your existing experience and career aspirations to find the right placements for you.

The skills days you undertake before starting placement (20 in year 1 and 10 in year 2) ensure that you have the skills you need to begin your practice journey and the support you receive from your supervisor in practice and from your placement tutor will mean that you can make the most of every learning opportunity. Academic modules, assignments and your portfolio of practice evidence compiled on placement enable you to develop competence in applying theory, methods and values to your practice.

You will undertake two placements in complementary settings. In the first year you will undertake 70 days of practice placement and the second year of the programme requires you to spend 100 days in practice. Because our focus is on your learning and on your future career these placements may be at a distance from your home and you may need to travel to take up the opportunities available to you.

Professional Accreditations

You are eligible for registration with Social Work England as a professional social worker.

About the course

Social workers help people to live more successfully within their local communities by helping them find solutions to their problems. To succeed, social workers must work not only with clients but their families and friends as well as working closely with other organisations including the police, National Health Service, and schools.

During our two-year MSc programme you will learn the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the social worker role.

In your first year, of study you will undertake modules which provide core knowledge about social work purpose, practice, and impact, human growth and development, and the policy and legislation which underpins practice. Additionally, you will learn the key methods, interventions, and skills for working with diverse communities and service users.

The second year of teaching builds on this to explore the research evidence and practice relating to a range of social work settings and collaborative and interprofessional working to assess and manage risks and vulnerability. The programme culminates in the writing of a dissertation on a topic area in which you are especially interested.

This academic learning is complemented by two placement blocks totalling 170 days in contrasting settings and 30 days of classroom-based skill development.

Why choose this course?

Social work is a regulated profession. The MSc Social Work programme leads to eligibility to apply to the Social Work England Register and practice as a social worker in England
An emphasis on small group practice prepares you for practice in a modern multi-professional workforce
Interactive learning in and out of the classroom will help you to understand concepts fully
Academic teaching is supported by social work practitioners from the newly constituted Teaching Partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and the Tavistock and Portman Foundation Trust, service users, and carers enabling you to link theory to practice throughout the programme
A distinct feature of the programme is an emphasis on the development of knowledge and skills through reflective practice
2nd in the East of England for Social Work (Complete University Guide, 2023)
2nd for health and social care in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023)

What will I study?

Our teaching recognises the knowledge, competence and life experience that you bring to the programme and we will build on this during the course of the programme. Module leaders on the MSc use a combination of direct teaching, guided study and independent learning. You will be encouraged to develop skills for independent learning and research that are expected and required at level 7 and in your future practice.

Teaching methods include seminars, small group discussions, case study analysis and student presentations, role play and interpersonal skills development. This is complemented by virtue learning environment (Canvas on StudyNet) and small group tutorial support. You will be taught by lecturers who constantly develop their own knowledge through research, publications, and other scholarly activities, and crucially by experienced social work practitioners, service users and carers.

You will be encouraged to develop an understanding of and demonstrate your ability to practice in an anti-discriminatory, anti-racist and anti-oppressive manner, including being able to challenge appropriately and counter discrimination.

From induction onwards, we work together to build a community of learners. During the programme you will be part of an Action Learning Set and will study and undertake assessments as part of this group. These close collaborations will help you to maximise your learning during the two years and help you prepare for your first role as a qualified social worker.

Social work is a regulated profession. As a social work student, you will be expected to register with Social Work England, the social work profession's regulator, and adhere to the standards set out in the code of Practice for Social Workers.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
The Research Informed Practitioner	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module offers students opportunity to study a range of methods and topics that give rise to evidence within contemporary social work research. (SWE 4) Students will evaluate the differences between research methodologies and apply these to social work practice. (SWE 3.1 3.2) Students will develop their own skills concerning systematic reviews and search strategies. Students will be encouraged to consider multiple hypotheses in practice and test these against an informed evidence base. Students will develop skills in reading, appraising, and using research to inform academic and professional knowledge and writing. Students will consider the requirements placed upon SWs to be research informed in their work and will apply this to their own current and future practice. (SWE 3.2 3.4 3.5 3.73.10 3.1, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 4.5 4.8)

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Law and Policy for Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
The practice of social work occupies contested ground. This module offers students the opportunity to critically assess the context in which social work practitioners operate. Research tutoring will enable students to engage with and critically evaluate the research. Relevant to the fields of social policy, social theory, law (including case law) and social work. Students will, therefore, develop a systematic understanding of legislation and social policy as well as fundamental concepts of social theory which inform practice. Understanding the implications of relating policy to practice is fundamental to all social work. The importance of obtaining and using sound legal practice is instilled within the Law teaching together with an understanding of the centrality of legality to decision-making.
Human Growth and Development	15 Credits	Compulsory
There will be a critically appraisal of the relevance of social work research, theories, and practice with humans across the whole range of the life course. Throughout the module, the significance of different research methods employed by developmental psychologists will be explored and students will be expected to develop deeper understandings and the relevancy of the difference between theory and evidence and how this will inform the work of social work practitioners to better support and understand development and its impact on a range of life courses.
Dissertation	45 Credits	Compulsory
This module will support students to develop their intellectual curiosity and effective research skills for social work. The teaching will support them to critically analyse, apply, synthesis and evaluate research as it applies to social work practice. Students will apply intellectual rigour, and innovative thinking to evaluate complex and evolving world issues related to social work and social welfare. This will include an exploration of trends and social issues that impact the lives of people with lived experiences.
Skills for Practice 1	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module content supports students to develop understanding of key social work principles and techniques to promote best practice when establishing professional relationships with people across a range of diverse user groups. Formative tasks such as community project, presentations, interviews with people with lived experiences (including carers) promote partnership working in formal interventions with individuals' families and groups. Students practice and develop essential people skills, including active listening, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice. With support, students will learn to evaluate their own practice through feedback from social workers, tutors, peers, people with lived experiences and via self-reflection.
Skills for Practice 2	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is constituted of 12 mandatory skills days, which is made up of 6 hours per day, delivered in Semester B of the first year. The module consolidates students' theoretical learning and skills developed in Semester A and prepares for placement. Students continue to work on their understanding of practice skills ensuring readiness for placement. A range of practitioners, lecturers and people with lived experiences will facilitate these sessions and students will receive developmental feedback throughout. This module will develop skills in line with the requirements of the professional regulator, the PCF and the KSS, and is designed to complement the curricula of the modules Skills 1 and Practice Learning 1 & 2
Ethics, Values & Anti-Discriminatory Practice	15 Credits	Compulsory
Module Content: (for publication, max 150 words) The module will provide students with opportunities to develop and explore understanding and knowledge of the diversities within British society, whilst identifying with their own experiences, ethical dilemmas, conflicting information or differing professional positions. It uses theoretical considerations and knowledge to develop models for analysing forms of disadvantage, exclusion, discrimination, and oppression while also recognising the complex relationship between professional ethics, the application of the law and the impact of social policy on these issues.
Practice Learning 2	45 Credits	Compulsory
This module enables students to better engage with the expectations and challenges of front line social work practice. Students will develop required knowledge, values and skills to ensure that they are able to practice autonomously and work effectively with a range of individuals with complex needs and situations. Students will undertake their final 100-day practice placement which will include working with either adult, child safeguarding, CAMHS, mental health services and learning disability services (not exhaustive list). Students are expected to demonstrate how they have met the 9 PCF domains as well as gain understanding of the relevant KSS standards to progress to the ASYE having met the necessary skills, knowledge, and values. It is expected that practitioners and those with lived experiences are actively involved in the design, provision, assessment, and delivery of the module.
Practice Learning 1	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will be supported to identify the theories and interventions that support social work practice in statutory, and non-statutory settings. A critical approach to theory will ensure that interventions promote the human rights, views, wishes and feelings of service users. Learning activities will reflect current policy and evidence-based practice in a range of social work contexts so that students practice applying and recording how theories and frameworks are used to inform practice and professional judgements. During the first placement students will have the opportunity to put into practice the theories they have learnt in year one and from the various taught modules. They will gain experience of supervision with qualified social workers and can demonstrate understanding of the social work role, knowledge, values and skills. Professional practitioners, service users and carers are expected to be involved in the design, provision, and delivery of the module.
Practice Contexts	30 Credits	Compulsory
Social workers help people to live more successfully within their local communities. This module looks in detail at the range of social work practice settings to enable students to develop as flexible, creative practitioners who synthesise specialist knowledge into their practice. The module will explore the ways in which social workers manage complex and conflicting needs. Issues will be examined in terms of personal and structural factors. Students will consider the ethical dilemmas which are experienced in practice as social workers respond to complexity in their work. The support and limitations of policy as it relates to a variety of practice settings will be articulated, analysing research, and comparisons will be drawn with Social Work in Europe and other countries. Students will integrate new theoretical knowledge to identify best practice and respond creatively to need and risk, in preparation for their final practice placement and future employment.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Social Work	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Social Work	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £10395 for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £16450 for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £16450 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £10980 for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £17250 for the 2025/2026 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £17250 for the 2025/2026 academic year
Since May 2013 the funding of students on Social Work courses has changed. A national cap on the number of social work bursaries available at both undergraduate and postgraduate level was introduced. Each University is allocated a number of bursaries. Each cohort contains more students than the number of bursaries that have been allocated to each University. Consequently, each Higher Education Institution (HEI) is asked to provide a list of names of those students it is nominating for consideration for a bursary. It is the Department of Health, through its NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), that decides a student's eligibility for a bursary, not the HEI. Find out more information about bursaries.
How does the HEI decide which students should be nominated? HEIs will be provided with a deadline by which time they will have had to present the ranked list of nominations to the Department of Health. It is important that individuals both apply and accept early to be considered for a place on the MSc Social Work programme. It will not be possible to nominate any applicant who comes through Clearing (August).

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
25/09/2025 30/09/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
25/09/2026 30/09/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)

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MSc Social Work

Why choose Herts?

Careers

Work placement

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025

2026