Social Work (MA)
- Duration: 2 years
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Study the theory and practical skills of social work, and gain the training required to qualify and register as a social worker in Wales and the wider UK.
Lived experience-led programme
Our course is designed by us and delivered in partnership with service users, carers, local authority partners and third-sector organisations in Wales.
Student placements
We work with 9 local authorities in South Wales so our students have access to a range of high-quality and well-supported placements.
Internationally-recognised
Our teaching team represents decades of practice and research experience in a variety of fields, including two of the top 100 social work academics in the world, and a former Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
Availability of financial support
Subject to eligibility criteria, most students are eligible for a bursary from Social Care Wales (in 2024/25, the bursary was worth £25,430). Former Cardiff University students can also apply for an alumni discount of £3,000.
Our reputation
We’re one of the UK’s leading teaching and research universities, placing in the top 20 for the quality of our research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
Our location
We’re based in the School of Social Sciences in the Glamorgan Building. This puts us in walking distance of Cardiff city centre and local transport links.
Our 2-year MA in Social Work is approved by Social Care Wales, so when you graduate, you’ll qualify as a social worker.
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the ethics and values of social work, social work practice skills, and critical practice relating to the law around children, families and adult care, and the key theories and perspectives underpinning social work policy and practice.
With us, you’ll build on and refine your critical research and analytical skills in relation to social work practice and policy and develop professional reflective practice techniques.
You’ll apply your learning and develop your workplace skills and professional networks by completing 3 Practice Learning Placements - amounting to 1400 hours - hosted by one of the 9 Local Authorities in Wales we work in partnership with. The practical training will allow you to apply your theoretical learning to real life situations, working with diverse people who use services and carers.
From communication skills to legal duties, professional decision-making to an understanding of socio-economic factors, our programme will equip you for full-time social work.
Accreditations
There was an excellent balance between time in the classroom and placements. The staff on the programme were fantastic, too. They're approachable, supportive and take a genuine interest in you achieving your best.
Where you'll study
School of Social Sciences
Our degrees are delivered by internationally recognised experts with a track record of influencing policy and practice around the world.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for this programme you will need to meet and evidence all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application, you will need to provide:
1. A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
2. A personal statement, no longer than 4,000 characters in length, in which you address the following three questions:
- What are your motivations for applying to study social work at Cardiff University?
- What is your understanding of the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care? Available here.
- What experience do you have of social care (personal, professional or a combination) and what have you learned from this experience about the values and skills needed to be a social worker? (Please note, there is no minimum number of hours experience you need to have, although the more recent the experience the more likely it is to be helpful for your application.)
3. One academic or professional/employer reference, completed within the last 6 months, which indicates your suitability to be a social work student. Please ensure the reference is signed, dated, and on headed paper.
If you do not have a degree, your application may still be considered on the basis of extensive professional experience in the field of social care, as reflected in your personal statement and reference. If this applies to you, your application will be placed on a waiting list and if there are still places available on the course you may be invited for an interview in the summer.
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is set by course accreditation body Social Care Wales.
- You must provide suitable evidence of English language ability equivalent to IELTS with an overall score of 7.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in all subskills.
- Please see English language requirements for postgraduate students for further information on acceptable English language qualifications and the UKVI list of exceptions.
Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. You will not be invited to interview with a pending test, but your application will be put on hold awaiting the results.
If you are able to evidence an IELTS equivalent English Language ability that is within 0.5 points of the above listed scores, you will be progressed to interview if your overall application is deemed suitable and there are spaces on the course remaining.
Application deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of July but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet the entry requirements, we will invite you to attend an interview. To help you prepare, you will be provided with a copy of the interview questions in advance. Should you be successful at interview, and there are still places available, you will receive an offer.
Enrolment conditions
If you are successful in obtaining an offer, your enrolment will be subject to fulfilment of the following conditions:
- An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background check with list checks for both Adults and Children. The cost of the DBS check must be met by the applicant/student.
- International applicants this may also be required to secure letters of good conduct, or equivalent, in accordance with University, Social Care Wales and Home Office guidance/requirements. The cost of any background checks must be met by the applicant/student.
- Confirmation of your Fitness-to-Practise (FTP), where appropriate.
- Confirmation of your Fitness-to-Study (FTS) from Cardiff University’s Occupational Health (OH) service, where appropriate.
- Upon commencement of the programme, successful registration with Social Care Wales as a Social Work Student.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required. If you have a relevant criminal conviction, this will be stated in the check and may affect your ability to enrol on the course. Applicants who are on the barred list should be aware that applying to this course is likely to be considered a criminal offence.
Course structure
The MA Social Work is a two-year programme that is both academic and practice based. You will complete a minimum of 200 days practice learning across the two years. Half of the programme is devoted to supervised practice in social service agencies, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn through observation, rehearsal, and performance.
The social work placements take place in the local authorities of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council
One Local Authority will be chosen to host you during the duration of your studies. Your prior employment history or personal circumstances may be considered in this process, but it cannot be guaranteed.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Year one
This is a two-year full-time programme leading to an MA and a professional qualification in social work.
You will spend 100 days on placements in year one.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science Perspectives (I): The Life Course | SIT501 | 10 credits |
| Understanding Evidence for Social Work Practice (I): Understanding and appraising social research | SIT502 | 10 credits |
| Principles and Context of Statutory Social Work (I): Introduction to working with adults, children and families | SIT503 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Social Work Theory and Practice (I): Social work skills and underpinning theories for social work pr | SIT504 | 20 credits |
| Practice Learning Placement I | SIT505 | 1 credits |
| Social Science Perspectives (II): Society | SIT506 | 10 credits |
| Understanding Evidence for Social Work Practice (II): Carrying out social research | SIT507 | 10 credits |
| Principles and Context of Statutory Social Work II: Interventions and decision making with adults, children and families | SIT508 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Social Work Theory and Practice (II): Interventions for social work practice | SIT509 | 20 credits |
| Practice Learning Placement II | SIT510 | 1 credits |
Year two
You will spend another 100 days on placements in year two. You will choose a specialist pathway (adults or children and families) and complete a dissertation.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Working with Individuals, Families, Groups and Communities | SIT511 | 20 credits |
| Working in and across organisations | SIT512 | 20 credits |
| Social Work Practice | SIT513 | 20 credits |
| Dissertation | SIT514 | 60 credits |
| Practice Learning Placement III | SIT515 | 1 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You will be taught using a variety of teaching and learning approaches and through a mixture of large and small group sessions. These include lectures, seminars, group work, student-led presentations, and role play. In addition, you will undertake directed and independent study, for which reading lists and online resources are available through our virtual learning environment (Learning Central).
How will I be assessed?
We aim to provide you with assessments that mirror real world situations guiding you to be open to and welcoming of feedback and learning how to give feedback in a way that is supportive and helpful.
Case scenarios will be used to expose you to real life practice examples and simulate knowledge and skills required for the job during placements and once qualified. Assessments will foster literacy and use learning outcomes and criteria to guide preparation and self-assessment and evaluation of your work.
You will receive written feedback on all assignments and portfolios, including feedforward to support learning and development, and all your marks and feedback are made with reference to the relevant marking criteria.
How will I be supported?
Throughout both years of study, you will receive dedicated pastoral support through:
- an allocated personal tutor, who maintains an overview of your educational experiences and academic progress throughout your two years of study;
- an allocated dissertation supervisor; and
- a Practice Educator (PE) for each of your three Practice Learning Placements. A PE is an experienced social worker who observes your practice, provides you with profession supervision, and advises upon your preparation of your portfolio of evidence.
What skills will I practise and develop?
On successful completion of the programme, you will be able to demonstrate the academic knowledge and practical skills required of qualified social workers.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £9,450 | None |
| Year two | £9,450 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £23,700 | £2,500 |
| Year two | £23,700 | None |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
You will have to fund your Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
No.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
On successful completion of the programme, you qualify as a social worker and be able to register with Social Care Wales, as well as equivalent bodies across the UK. This will enable you to be employed in a range of social work settings. We have a very high employment rate for our students.
The course was highly interactive. Placements helped me develop key skills such as the ability to reflect and emotional intelligence, as well as practice skills such as motivational interviewing.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
