MA Social Work

The MA Social Work is an academic and professional qualification designed for graduates with relevant experience who wish to pursue a career in social work. Upon successful completion, you will receive an MA in Social Work, which serves as the professional entry qualification, enabling you to register with Social Work England and practice as a qualified social worker. The programme is structured over two years of full-time study and emphasizes the integration of values, knowledge, and skills required for reflective and ethical social work practice. You will be encouraged to connect anti-oppressive practice with social work values, legal frameworks, theories, and intervention methods. The curriculum includes lectures, seminars, workshops, and private study, focusing on key social science areas applied to social work practice, alongside the development of intellectual capacity and practical skills. A core component of the program involves extensive practice placements in statutory and non-statutory settings.

Curriculum

The MA Social Work program is delivered over two years, integrating academic learning with practical experience. The curriculum is designed to build your knowledge and skills progressively, preparing you to apply them to real-world social work situations. You will engage with study units, workshops, lectures, seminars, projects, and private study, with a strong emphasis on making connections between theory and practice.

1. Year 1
   • Theories of Individual Development
   • Multidisciplinary Research Design and Methodologies
   • Social Work Skills and Methods 1
   • Introduction to Law and Social Work
   • Social Work 70-Day Placement and Practice Integration
   • Theory, Policy and Practice
2. Year 2
   • Social Work Skills and Methods 2
   • Research Methods/Social Work Dissertation
   • Social Work 100-Day Placement and Practice Integration

Careers

Goldsmiths' MA Social Work graduates are highly regarded by employers and have an excellent track record of securing employment. The programme prepares you for a professional career in social work, with many alumni securing roles in various sectors. The university's strong links with social work organizations and its founding membership in the South East London Teaching Partnership enhance career prospects.

• Local authority children's services
• Adult services departments
• NSPCC
• Family Action
• Mind