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Study level:
Undergraduate

Course options

Study mode:
Full-time
Qualification:
Master of Arts - MA (PG)
Duration:
2 Years
Start date:
09/2025
Campus:
University of Wolverhampton
2025-20262026-2027
Apply

Course summary

This graduate entry level course is designed to equip social work students with the knowledge, skills and values necessary for qualification. Upon successful completion of the course students will have met the required levels of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). They will then be able to register with Social Work England (SWE) and ready to begin their first year in employment as a registered and qualified social worker.

The MA (Social Work) is an academic award dependent upon successful completion of a Masters level dissertation as well as demonstrating capable practice. There is an ‘exit award’ of PGDip, which allows successful students to register with SWE as a qualified and registered social worker. Students, who take this route, will be eligible to complete a Masters dissertation in Social Work Studies.

The course enables successful students to begin practice as a qualified and registered social worker.
The English qualification is accepted throughout the UK, the EU and is recognised Internationally.

Graduates may return to the University of Wolverhampton (or any Higher Education Institute) to undertake courses as part of their continuing professional development, which is a requirement to maintain social work registration with SWE. A revised framework for Continuing Professional Development and Post-Qualifying Awards is in development by The College of Social Work.

It is a condition of continuing SWE registration that qualified and registered Social Workers maintain a record of CPD. There is also the opportunity for candidates to enrol on a programme of doctoral study - either a Professional Doctorate or a more conventional PhD.

Please note
Due to the nature of social work and the geographical location of social work practice placements, you will be expected to travel and this may be for up to an hour and a half (90 minutes) from where you live to the placement agency. You will also be expected to travel as part of the placement day from the placement office to meetings and to undertake visits to people in their homes. You must ensure you have the time required to travel and can meet the travel costs. Having a driving license and your own transport is advantageous.

If the course start date is before 31 December 2025 and you have already submitted an application, this course can be added. If you have not submitted an application, contact the university or college direct.

If the course start date is between 01 January and 31 July 2026 click the 'Apply' button to make an application.

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
L508
Institution code:
W75
Campus name:
University of Wolverhampton
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Wolverhampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
L508
Institution code:
W75
Campus name:
University of Wolverhampton
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Candidates must have a GCSE grade C+ / 4 (or equivalent) in Maths and English. Equivalent qualifications include Key Skills Level 2; Learn Direct Level 2; and Functional Skills Level 2. English Language Requirements for International Applicants: If English is not your first language, evidence of your proficiency must be dated within the last 2 years from IELTS with an overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each element. Alternative acceptable IELTS equivalents can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/making-an-application/language-entry-requirements/, however we would recommend the Oxford International Digital Institute English Language Level Test (ELLT) as a suitable alternative to IELTS.

◾All candidates must hold an Honours degree (Bachelor) at 2:1 or above

◾Candidates must have a GCSE grade C+ / 4 (or equivalent) in Maths and English. Equivalent qualifications include Key Skills Level 2; Learn Direct Level 2; and Functional Skills Level 2.

Please note we do NOT accept GCSE Short Courses or GCSE Equivalence Tests from other institutions or organisations.

◾All candidates must have substantial prior experience in the field of Social Care, Health or Education (this can be either paid or voluntary work and must be verifiable by a manager).

◾If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying

Other Requirements

Applicants will also be required to provide satisfactory personal statement and two references (academic and employer).

Those meeting the entry requirements may be invited for interview where they will be assessed in comprehension, verbal ability and suitability for social work.

Due to the nature of social work and the geographical location of social work practice placements, you will be expected to travel and this may be for up to an hour and a half (90 minutes) from where you live to the placement agency. You will also be expected to travel as part of the placement day from the placement office to meetings and to undertake visits to people in their homes. You must ensure you have the time required to travel and can meet the travel costs. Having a driving license and your own transport is advantageous.

Additional entry requirements

Admission tests
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Due to the professional nature of this course you are also required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.
Health checks
Due to the professional nature of this course you are also required to complete a Declaration of Health Check.
Interview
Those meeting the entry requirements may be invited for interview where they will be assessed in comprehension, verbal ability and suitability for social work. Interview panels will include, whenever possible, employer and service-user/carer representatives.
Other
Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check: Due to the professional nature of this course you are also required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. We will coordinate both of these non-academic conditions with you should you accept an offer with us. There will be no cost for the DBS this is free to applicants who have secured a Conditional offer and have chosen to study at the University of Wolverhampton. International entry requirements and application guidance can be found at http://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/apply
Institutions Own Test (IOT)
Those meeting the entry requirements may be invited for interview where they will be assessed in comprehension, verbal ability and suitability for social work.

English language requirements

As an EU or International applicant you will need to showcase your English language proficiency skills during your admissions process. The below qualifications are accepted for a number of courses, please be aware these scores are a guide on what is acceptable. http://wlv.ac.uk/english We have a suite of courses that require differing English language proficiency, these requirements are there to ensure that you have the correct ability to achieve your desired qualification with us. You will also need to check each individual course page for accuracy as our Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies courses require specific English qualifications prior to entry.

English Language Requirements - EU and International Applicants https://www.wlv.ac.uk/english

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For more information please visit the following: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/funding-costs-fees-and-support/fees-and-costs/

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