Postgraduate Taught

Social Work

What's the difference?

A Hull Social Work student smiling and working on his laptop in the library
A group of students laugh outside a university building
A young boy sitting using a laptop
two people holding hands in support
This Masters degree is suitable for students from any academic background who are passionate about working with people and tackling social inequalities and injustice in our communities.
We're accredited by Social Work England. So you can apply for an NHS bursary, and go on to register as a qualified social worker when you graduate.
You'll combine theory with hands-on placements to develop your expertise and experience, practising in a diverse range of settings including child protection, adult safeguarding, homelessness, mental health and more.
As one of the founding members of the Humber Social Work Teaching Partnership, we can connect you with the region's biggest employers.
A Hull Social Work student smiling and working on his laptop in the library
A group of students laugh outside a university building
A young boy sitting using a laptop
two people holding hands in support

Do you love working with people? Have you got a drive to help those within your community and feel impassioned to tackle social inequalities and injustice? 

Social work is a challenging and rewarding career, practising in a diverse range of settings including child protection, adult safeguarding, homelessness, mental health, youth justice and domestic abuse as well as social welfare and challenging inequality. 

This course is available as both an MA and a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), giving you the flexibility to choose the path that best suits your goals. The MA includes two years of study, whereas the PGDip is shorter at eighteen months. Both options include practical placements, conferring eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England.

  • We support your studies

    with individual and group supervision

  • Social Work England

    approved degree 1

  • Apply for a cash award

    from the NHS Social Work Bursary Scheme

  • Hundreds of hours

    on placement in a range of settings

  • Top 15 in the UK

    for Research Quality 2

Swipe
Course overview
Module options

About this course

Social workers operate within the context of relationships to support individuals, groups and communities to realise their potential working with service users and their families. You’ll learn to work and make decisions in a multi-professional context, liaising closely with organisations such as the police, NHS, schools, probation and the voluntary sector.

Taught by experts with real-world practice experience, you’ll gain insight into social issues people live with as well as the policies relating to social welfare and the safeguarding of adults and children.

We are one of the founding members of the Humber Social Work Teaching Partnership, giving you access to the biggest employers of social work practitioners in the area. Our strong relationships with a wide range of statutory and voluntary agencies mean that we can provide you with high-quality placements.

This course is offered as both an MA and a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), allowing you to choose the route that best suits your goals and commitments. The MA includes two years of study, whereas the PGDip is shorter at eighteen months. Both options include practical placements, providing eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England, which means you are eligible to apply to register as a qualified social worker once you graduate. The MA however, allows you to undertake a research dissertation in the second year - helping you to grow your research skills. 

Some of our UK students can apply for support from the NHS Social Work Bursary Scheme which helps with study and living costs.

Choose your modules

Readiness for Practice

This innovative module is co-delivered by practitioners and people with lived experience in order to prepare you for social work practice. You will be supported to get ready for direct practice emotionally, practically and analytically with an emphasis on developing the requisite knowledge and skills for safe, effective and compassionate practice. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of professional behaviour and standards as part of the module and will undertake a panel interview to establish if they are ready to progress to direct practice.

Core•10 credits

Child and Family Social Work

You will learn about the entire spectrum of social work with children, young people, birth parents and alternative families from family support to child protection. You will also explore young offenders; looked after children and care leavers; fostering and adoptive families.

Core•20 credits

Human Development Across the Lifespan

Study child, adolescent and adult development, focusing on attachment, separation and loss. With a strong theoretical underpinning, this is a thought-provoking and interesting module helping you understand the developmental lifespan in context of social work practice.

Core•20 credits

Social Work with Adults

This exciting module focuses specifically on social work with adults in the community and explores social care for disabled people and people with long term health needs, alongside their family and carers. We will also introduce you to adult protection including the harm and abuse of adults.

Core•20 credits

Social, Political, Legal and Organisational Context for Social Work

You will be introduced to the social work profession and the major disciplinary, theoretical and conceptual frameworks which underpin social work. It will provide an understanding of the landscape of social work practice and social work service users through social, political and organisational discourses, perspectives and structures.

Core• credits

Critical Approaches to Mental Health

​You will study the social, political and economic contexts within which contemporary mental health and distress is situated. You'll also examine the legislative framework which governs the understanding and management of mental health problems. 

Core•20 credits

Specialisms in Practice

​Develop specialist knowledge in social work practice, exploring themes of substance use, domestic abuse and loss. Utilising contemporary research and practitioner input, this is an innovative module ensuring you are equipped and ready for practice.​

Core•20 credits

First Placement

Taken with a social work agency or organisation, the first 70-day placement is exciting and challenging. This experience will help you develop and refine your knowledge and skills.

Core•20 credits
8 Modules

Social Work Research and Dissertation

This module provides an opportunity for you to select a topic of your own choice, carry out a library-based research review and examine the research methods, ethical procedures and dilemmas involved in social work research.

•60 credits

Last Placement

You will undertake a 100 day Practice Placement, which will be in a contrasting setting to your first placement and which will include some statutory work. There are also specialist opportunities such as palliative social work. You are assessed with the same Practice Capability Framework, but need to reach the Domains at a higher level for last placement.

•30 credits

Students enrolled in the PGDip variant of this course will not undertake the Social Work Research and Dissertation module.
2 Modules

This course is approved by

Our academics

You’ll be taught by professionals who have carved out their careers working in the social care sector.

They’ve gained personal experience from being involved in children’s charities, local authorities and hospitals throughout the country, and are ready to share it with you.

See more academics for this subject
Vicky Burton
Featured academic

Dr Victoria Burton

Victoria is a Lecturer in Social Work and MA Social Work Programme Director. She has worked in roles in the Humber region, focusing on domestic abuse and coercive control. She’s a registered social worker and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:1 in any subject area
Additional entry requirements for this course

Applicants with a 2:2 may be considered in certain circumstances. In addition, you must have at least GCSE grade C in English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent, such as Functional Skills Level 2 English or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths).

Experience working in a helping capacity would be an advantage.

For guidance on which alternative qualifications are acceptable please contact admissions@hull.ac.uk.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Selection Day and will complete a number of assessments as part of our selection process including an interview and written test.

We offer places to applicants whose qualifications, experience, references and quality of application (including the personal statement) persuade us of their excellence.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:1 in any subject area
Additional entry requirements for this course

Applicants with a 2:2 may be considered in certain circumstances. In addition, you must have at least GCSE grade C in English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent, such as Functional Skills Level 2 English or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths).

Experience working in a helping capacity would be an advantage.

For guidance on which alternative qualifications are acceptable please contact admissions@hull.ac.uk.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Selection Day and will complete a number of assessments as part of our selection process including an interview and written test.

We offer places to applicants whose qualifications, experience, references and quality of application (including the personal statement) persuade us of their excellence.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Social Work Bursary

Many UK students receive support from the NHS Social Work Bursary Scheme.

The bursary can be used to help with study and living costs, and must be applied for each academic year. 

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Brynmor Jones Library

Our 7-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world, and stunning panoramic views of the city from the 7th floor.

Reading Room

You’ll find the Reading Room on the first floor of our library. It offers a comfortable space and a quiet environment to study – away from the hustle and bustle of the campus.

Lecture Theatres

Take a seat and hear from our social work experts. This 200-seat lecture theatre uses a range of hi-tech audio-visual equipment for interactive learning.

Study Rooms

You'll find over 1,000 work spaces in our library. From boardroom-style meeting venues with big-screen PCs, to informal group-study areas and interactive whiteboards.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Look around

Look around

Brynmor Jones Library
Brynmor Jones Library Reading Room
Allam Medical Building Lecture Theatre
Brynmor Jones Library Group Study Room
Melanie Garlick, Social Work student

Future prospects

You’ll have many different career options after studying Social Work that will involve working actively within your community including roles like social worker, mental health practitioner, substance use practitioner, community worker, domestic abuse support worker, welfare rights advisor, youth justice officer and housing officer.

You might decide to continue studying this fascinating subject, signing onto a postgraduate course to enhance your skills in therapeutic practice or research. You may even want to return to the University of Hull in a few years to complete a doctorate in social work.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more
  1. When you graduate from our accredited degree, you can apply to register as a qualified social worker.
  2. (Joint 12th) The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

Top