Social Work Masters (Postgraduate)

Reasons to choose Kingston

• On successful completion, you will be qualified to practise as a registered social worker. The MSW is recognised and approved by Social Work England, the professional regulator for social work.

• Our teaching partnership with local authorities and voluntary agencies creates a leading social work education community shaped by academic research and frontline practice.

• In addition to working in the UK, this MSW is also recognised as a professional social work qualification in Canada and the USA.

About this course
The Masters of Social Work is a postgraduate intensive qualification that will enable you to become a social worker in two years.

You will be taught by social work academics, researchers, expert practitioners and people with lived experience, spanning the range of specialist social work fields. This prepares students to become social workers in their chosen areas of specialist social work practice, equipped with a broad range of theory and evidence.

The course provides transformative learning experiences in a supportive, inclusive environment. It is underpinned by a psycho-social and life-course approach, encouraging critical thinking and anti-discriminatory practice in response to the needs of people and communities. You will develop knowledge and skills in our state-of-the-art Practice Learning Skills Lab. Through a specialist practice interest module, you may study a chosen area in depth.

We provide two quality contrasting placements of 70 days and 100 days. You will make observation visits, learn from service users, carers and experienced social workers.You will study effective approaches to working with children and their families, and adults at risk, including older adults and mental health social work practice.

A satisfactory health declaration, including immunisations, and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check are required from accepted candidates before registration for the programme.

Example modules
– Readiness for Direct Practice
– Assessment and Intervention
– Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks for Social Work Practice

Career opportunities
Fields of practice as a qualified social worker include children’s services and family support, community care and adult services; adult/youth criminal justice services, community, day, residential and health settings; and mental health, disability, addiction and forensic services. You can also progress to the Advanced Social Work MA.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Readiness for Direct Practice
First Placement 1 (70 days)
Final Placement 2 (100 days)
Assessment and Intervention
Human Development and the Social Environment
Applied Social Work Practice
Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks for Social Work Practice
Specialist Practice Interest
Independent Study: A Capstone Project

Individual and group presentations, essays, exam, case studies, portfolio, feedback, practice assessment and final project.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Social Work England