University of Birmingham - College of Social Sciences
MA in Social Work
Birmingham, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 26,180 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* deadline for International students I 29 August 2025 deadline for Home students
** for International students | UK students: £9,130 per year
Key Summary
About: Study an MA in Social Work at The College of Social Sciences, learning from academics and practitioners. The practice-led programme mixes research-informed teaching, seminars, role play and tasks, plus two supervised, community-based placements totalling 170 days. Assessments include essays, exams, portfolios and live practice scenarios.
Career Outcomes: Career opportunities include social worker (children and families, adults, mental health), social care leadership, AMHP, social researcher, community development worker, equality, diversity and inclusion officer and advocate. The programme reports a 100% graduate employment rate (Graduate Outcomes 21/22) and strong links with statutory, voluntary and private employers in the UK and overseas.
Why study this programme?
Benefit from a truly unique, practice-led experience that puts lived experience and real-world impact at the heart of your studies. You’ll learn from leading academics, work directly with service users, carers, and practitioners, and complete two placements that bring your knowledge to life. Ranked among the UK’s top social work courses, our programme leverages Birmingham’s vibrant, diverse community connections to offer hands-on experience, and its global recognition means you’ll graduate ready to make a difference—locally and worldwide.
- Study with top academics and learn directly from those with real experience.
- Develop essential skills through two practical, community-based placements.
- Build professional links through Birmingham’s strong partnerships across health and social care.
- Enjoy a variety of opportunities for practising social work and other humanitarian work in the UK and overseas
Course delivery
You will have access to research-informed teaching, value-based learning and practice placements. The modules of the course incorporate the key skills, expertise and values for contemporary social work practice, complimented by two placements providing the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice.
- Taught modules – these include lectures, seminars, group work, role play, self directed learning and online tasks
- Supervised by the University, you will also undertake two practice placements in a social care setting, totalling 170 days
- Assessments - these will including written essays, examinations, portfolios, presentations and live practice scenarios
Scholarships and loans may be available to you, please our course page below for more information.
First year
In your first year, you'll develop your skills in critical safeguarding, psychological perspectives across the life course, and practical legal knowledge within social work contexts. Through placements and skills workshops, you'll engage with diverse, real-world settings, grounded in anti-oppressive, research-informed approaches to empower and protect vulnerable communities.
Second year
In your second year, you’ll strengthen your leadership skills in social work, focusing on self-leadership, guiding others, and driving change. Through your second placement, you’ll build on prior experience, applying legislation and social work theory in real-world settings, while preparing for employment and post-qualifying practice using the KSS framework.
Summer term
In your final year, you’ll undertake an in-depth dissertation on a social work topic of your choice, developing research skills essential for evidence-informed practice. This module supports you in planning a research proposal and offers regular supervision, fostering research-mindedness and deepening your expertise in a specific practice area.
- #10 For Social Work in the UK (the Complete University Guide 2024)
- #14 out of 130 in the British University rankings (the Complete University Guide 2023)
- #1 in the UK for being most frequently targeted by the country’s top employers (High Fliers Research 2024)
There is a clear progression from the social work programme to professional practice in a range of settings such as statutory social work, voluntary organisations and the private sector, with employment opportunities both in the UK and overseas.
Upon graduation, our students take up positions such as:
- Social Worker (children and families, adults, mental health)
- Social Work and Social Care Leadership
- Social Researcher
- Advanced Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP)
- Education Welfare Officer
- Youth Offending Team
- Community Development Worker
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
- Advocate
Our MA Social Work leads the way in graduate prospects and employment outcomes. Our programme ranks 1st in the Russell Group and is estimated to hold top position in the Times Graduate Prospects league table for social work, reflecting a 100% graduate employment rate (Graduate Outcomes 21/22). These outstanding results highlight our commitment to preparing students for rewarding careers, achieved through close collaboration with Careers Network and an exceptional focus on professional development and real-world readiness.