Social Work and Community Studies MA

This programme invites graduates with an academic or practice interest in social work, community work and related fields of practice to achieve a Masters level development of their practice, study and research interests.

The MA has an ongoing research and practice profile in which it applies Western models of social work and community practice to global themes of human need.

For UK applicants, it is the opportunity to develop practice knowledge to Masters level hence progressing practice and academic profiles and portfolios of knowledge. The programme supports students to undertake an action research project in an area of professional interest and expertise. It is not a social work qualifying award but does develop a professional profile for related areas of social work and community practice.

Practice experience is an optional part of the programme and students with relevant practice experience or a desire to undertake the programme as a purely academic study are welcomed.

For international students it is the opportunity to explore the global discourses of social work and community work whilst learning more about a UK and European model of social work practice. International students again are invited to undertake the programme as a pure academic award or to combine this with practice experience and the construction of a professional practice portfolio.

It is envisaged many international students will use the programme to prepare for professional employment in social work or community development. Students are encouraged to focus their research on an area of practice interest specifically related to their culture or origin.

The MA has a one year full time modular structure with six taught modules and a dissertation. The year can be extended and international students can complete their dissertation in their country of origin.

Factfile
Entry requirements
Course content
Student views
News
Practice Profile

How to Apply

For all taught postgraduate and PG Cert programmes, please apply directly to University of Worcester.

You can download an application form, or can contact the Admissions office on:

tel: (01905) 855111
email: pg-admissions@worc.ac.uk

Please post your completed application form to:

Admissions Office
University Of Worcester
Henwick Grove
Worcester
WR2 6AJ

Alternatively you can apply online for postgraduate programmes at University of Worcester via the Prospects online directory of postgraduate programmes. There is no fee for using the online application service. When we receive your application form, your details will be passed to the Masters Programme Leader who will contact you to arrange an informal interview. You may include additional material, such as references, in support of your application or bring them with you to interview. You can apply for postgraduate taught courses and PG Certs at any time, but preferably as early as possible before the start of the academic year, which begins in September.

Study options

Course Structure:

The programme consists of four 20 credit modules plus one option module, one 40 credit module ‘Transformative Social and Community Work in International Contexts’, and a 60 credit dissertation module.

It is delivered full-time over one calendar year or as an optional part time course of study. The critical and comparative analysis of current practices and service delivery helps develop solutions to the questions faced in daily work of social work and related fields of practice.

The programme is participative and interactive, using experiential, student focused, teaching methods. Most students have some experience of social welfare and all benefit from shared learning from practice in a range of organisations and across cultures.

Get in touch

If you have any queries about the course please contact:

Joy Gauci
Senior Lecturer
tel: (01905) 855458
email: j.gauci@worc.ac.uk

Admissions Office
tel: 01905 855111
email: admissions@worc.ac.uk

The University is committed to widening participation to candidates from diverse backgrounds, abilities and ages. The programme is available for both home students and international students. International students are particularly welcomed and can apply for an international scholarship at the point of entry.

Course participants will have complied with following course entry requirements:

An honours degree (normally 2:2 and above).

International students must hold a qualification equivalent to a UK first or second class hours degree All international students for whom English is not their first language are required to achieve IELTS 6.5 or equivalency.

Students with professional or practice profiles related to the area of social work and community development are particularly welcomed, although prior experience is not essential.

An academic and practice reference is required.

Accreditation for Prior Learning

Applicants with relevant previous qualifications can apply for accreditation for prior learning. Please consult Joy Gauci on j.gauci@worc.ac.uk

Modules

Assessment

Learning will be structured around a range of teaching methods including group seminars, lead lectures, individual tutorials and online resources. The modules offer different kinds of assessment such as essays, case studies, practical skills work, research analysis, research reports, data analysis, seminar papers and presentations.

A 15,000 word Independent Research Project is required for the masters award.

Intermediate Award:
The PG Certificate requires successful completion of three modules and the Diploma requires successful completion of six modules.

Academic department

Institute of Health & Society

“The University is a leading innovator in the fields of health and social care. Unique appointments such as the UK’s first professors of perinatal education and tissue viability demonstrate our commitment to research excellence.”
Louise Jones, Head of Institute

Employability

This course is aimed at professionals such as Social Workers, Community Project Workers, NGO Workers, Court Welfare Officers, Community Health Professionals, Housing Officers and those working in the voluntary sector.

The programme is committed to partnership between academic discourse and the practice base. Consequently student learners in the programme are supported to develop professional portfolios and action research projects with an aim towards professional practice at the end of the programme.

Health & Society News

Nursing Students Receive Vital Training in Working with People Living with Dementia - Wednesday, 25 April 2012

First year nursing students at the University of Worcester are to take part in a one-day conference about working with people living with dementia.
Student Nurses Walk Five Miles Between University and Hospital for Cancer Research UK - Monday, 23 April 2012

Seven student nurses from the University of Worcester under took a five mile charity walk after being inspired by their studies.
NCT and University of Worcester Launch New Courses for Parenting Education - Thursday, 12 April 2012

Applications have opened for a new university-accredited Certificate of Higher Education for people wanting to support parents in the transition to parenthood.

Practice Profile

Students are invited to develop a practice profile to enrich their academic study. The course team invites students to explore individual practice interests and specialisms and matches these as far as possible with placements in community projects. The course develops community project partnerships in the region but also through the University's international partnerships with options for student collaborative research and potential mobility to partner universities in Russia, Sweden, America and Malta.