Introduction
Make a difference to people’s lives. Combine in-depth professional training and tuition with practice placements - and graduate ready to register as a qualified social worker.
Our full time Masters degree is designed for graduates with at least six months’ relevant work experience, who want to qualify as professional Social Workers.
Offered in Cambridge or Chelmsford, this two-year MA Social Work is approved by Social Work England, so when you graduate, you’ll be eligible for professional registration.
Typically, in your first year you’ll have three days of lectures a week on campus, with the rest of your time spent in independent study or on placement. In the second year, you’ll have one day on campus, with 3-4 days per week on placement.
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An intensive orientation programme at the start of this postgraduate course will introduce you to theories and approaches within social work and develop your practical skills, ready for your first placement.
We’ll support you towards becoming a:
Qualified practitioner: preparing you for effective practice using a curriculum that focuses on critical engagement with the values, ethics, skills, and knowledge required to meet the complex challenges inherent in practice.
Professional: develop the qualities that represent the profession with integrity, demonstrate a commitment to accountability and in-depth understanding of the role of social work.
Social scientist: supporting you to be research-minded and critically reflective learners who transition into practice with an enthusiasm for life-long learning.
You’ll spend 70 days on practice placement in Year 1 and 100 days in Year 2. These placements will be in contrasting settings, one of which will involve experience of statutory work, and with one placement in children’s services and one in adults.
It’s likely that you’ll have to travel as part of your placement, so you’ll need your own transport to visit service users in the community, where public transport may not be available.
From communication skills to legal duties, professional decision-making to an understanding of socio-economic factors, our MA Social Work will equip you fully for the challenges you’ll likely face in social work.
You may be eligible for a Social Work Bursary in either year of your studies. This can help with living and travel costs and doesn’t have to be repaid. Eligibility criteria is set by NHS Bursary and a quota of students do get the bursary each year.
Facilities and accreditation
Practical experience
We know that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. As a social work student at ARU you’ll benefit from:
- 70 days on placement
- the chance to learn from registered social workers
- covering both adults and children
- experience of working in different settings
- experience of working directly with service users.
You may be eligible for a Social Work Bursary in either year of your studies. This can help with living and travel costs and doesn’t have to be repaid. Eligibility criteria is set by NHS Bursary and a quota of students do get the bursary each year.
Outstanding student support
Join our postgraduate student community and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- receive full support from our Employability Service, while you're studying with us and after you graduate
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.
Social Work England
Our MA Social Work is approved by Social Work England, meaning you can register as a professional social worker when you graduate.
Careers
On completion of this Masters degree you’ll be eligible to register with Social Work England as a qualified Social Worker.
You’ll be equipped to build a career in various branches of professional social work, including children’s or adult services, mental health services, youth offending, residential social care and providing advocacy and support for vulnerable groups.
You’ll have developed a wide range of academic, practical and reflective skills that will allow you to move into your chosen career and embark on your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
Social Workers are in demand in the statutory, private, voluntary and independent sectors.
Although focussed on the education of future social work professionals, the degrees equip graduates with a range of transferable knowledge and skills.
Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a PhD programme at ARU. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees.
While you’re studying here and after you graduate, you can access support through our dedicated Employability Service.
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