MA in Social Work

Social workers support and protect some of society’s most deprived and vulnerable people. The Open University’s MA in Social Work enhances practitioners’ knowledge of social work theory and legislation, applying learning to practice, and develops critical and analytical skills. The MA also includes an embedded, professionally qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work which leads to eligibility to apply for registration as a qualified social worker with Social Work England (SWE) or the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

The MA in Social Work is a distance learning, work-based route which includes a compulsory residential weekend or online alternative, three workshops, two substantive work-based practice placements and a work-based project. Through completion of this qualification, students will be equipped to engage in critical and reflective professional practice, according to the Standards for Social Work Education and Codes of Practice and Conduct for the nation in which they train. Furthermore, the MA develops students’ knowledge of a particular field in social work practice and leads to recommendations for improvement in a personal/work-based context.

For employers, the programme provides the opportunity to develop and retain current staff. Because students study alongside work, they will put their learning into practice immediately, for the positive benefit of service users.

The full masters programme (including the PG Diploma) is available for study in England and Scotland. It is approved as a social work qualifying award in England by Social Work England (SWE), subject to meeting registration requirements, and in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), subject to conditions.  The MA in Social Work is not currently available for students working in Wales.

The MA in Social Work:

• Provides a qualifying social work qualification for graduates in your organisation so they can qualify more quickly than undertaking an undergraduate social work qualification.
• Develops key critical and analytical skills in newly qualified practitioners.
• Enables employers to upskill their workforce with a programme that is easy to introduce and implement, meeting employer standards to deliver excellent quality care to service users.
• Helps to increase staff retention and motivate employees by offering career progression opportunities.
• Is delivered flexibly around the demands of your organisation, using our tutor-supported, media-rich online learning methods.
• Is accessible 24/7 and can be delivered to various locations using our tried-and-trusted educational technology, providing a consistent programme for multiple staff, regardless of where they are based and when they study.
• Is based on over 20 years’ successful experience of working in partnership with employers to deliver practice-based, qualifying social work programmes working with around 300 health and social care employers across the UK and training over 6,000 registered social workers.

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The programme is designed to develop staff who already have a degree in a qualifying field of study and who have the potential to take on greater challenges and responsibilities as qualified social workers.

This is a broad qualification spanning children and families, adults and mental health social work, helping to prepare graduates to work in a range of settings to enhance the delivery of services provided by your workplace, including local authorities, healthcare providers and the private, voluntary and independent sector. ​

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The entry requirements in England and Scotland vary. Please visit the MA in Social Work webpage for prospective students for the full current entry requirements.

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The MA in Social Work is a 180-credit programme comprising three stages.  The subject matter is interdisciplinary, derived from psychology, sociology, social policy, law and social work studies.

Stage 1 of the programme will enable students to contextualise the experiences of service users and carers and learn about approaches to social work practice, as well as providing opportunities to examine the nature of the organisations that supply social work services. In addition to online learning, this module includes 80 days of practice-based learning. At Stage 2, the second module builds on the previous module and will support student social workers in becoming confident, analytical and reflective practitioners. Students will extend their research skills and explore social work practice with different service user groups. This module includes a further practice placement of 90 days. At Stage 3, the third module will include a compulsory residential weekend or online alternative, three workshops and a work-based project that develops practitioners’ knowledge of a particular field in social work practice and leads to recommendations for improvement in a personal/work-based context.

The modules must be studied in order and students will be required to attend compulsory practice skills workshops both face to face and online on these modules.

Our tutor-supported online learning gives your employees the flexibility to pick the most suitable times proactively and reactively to minimise disruption to service provision. This means students are rarely required to be on day release at the same time and frontline services are protected. It also means travel costs and expenses are minimised.

Online module delivery is both varied and interactive, using rich media formats that engage and enthuse learners on their journey. Learning is perfectly suited to staff working shifts, as it can be accessed 24/7 on computers, tablets and mobile devices, and can be immediately applied into working practice. Online forums and discussion groups allow students to learn from others in different service settings and with different backgrounds.

If your employees already hold a qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work from another higher education institution (HEI), they may be eligible for credit transfer to register directly onto the dissertation module in order to 'top up' to the Master of Arts in Social Work. This option will be available across the UK.

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We are a national provider with a local presence. Our programmes are supported closely by academic and practitioner colleagues who link with employers to provide ongoing management of the programme delivery.

The OU has the experience and support in place to help students to succeed and make a positive impact on practice.