Ranking
9th
in UK for Social Work research
Course overview
Our Social Work MA degree will provide you with a practice-focussed and eye-opening learning experience.
Learn from expert academics and gain first-hand experience from service users, carers and practitioners, and graduate prepared to start an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career.
Course Structure
This course will run over 24 months in a full-time mode.
In your first year, you'll develop your skills in critical safeguarding, psychological perspectives across the life course, and practical legal knowledge within social work contexts. Through placements and skills workshops, you'll engage with diverse, real-world settings, grounded in anti-oppressive, research-informed approaches to empower and protect vulnerable communities.
Course highlights
Benefit from a truly unique, practice-led experience that puts lived experience and real-world impact at the heart of your studies. You’ll learn from leading academics, work directly with service users, carers, and practitioners, and complete two placements that bring your knowledge to life. Ranked among the UK’s top social work courses, our programme leverages Birmingham’s vibrant, diverse community connections to offer hands-on experience, and its global recognition means you’ll graduate ready to make a difference—locally and worldwide.
- Study with top academics and learn directly from those with real experience.
- Develop essential skills through two practical, community-based placements.
- Build professional links through Birmingham’s strong partnerships across health and social care.
- Enjoy a variety of opportunities for practising social work and other humanitarian work in the UK and overseas
- Globally-recognised degree
in countries such as Australia, Canada, and Hong Kong
Build your career and lead social change: graduate to start an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career.
Course delivery
You will have access to research-informed teaching, value-based learning and practice placements. The modules of the course incorporate the key skills, expertise and values for contemporary social work practice, complimented by two placements providing the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice.
- Taught modules – these include lectures, seminars, group work, role play, self directed learning and online tasks
- Supervised by the University, you will also undertake two practice placements in a social care setting, totalling 170 days
- Assessments - these will including written essays, examinations, portfolios, presentations and live practice scenarios
Module information
Students complete 5 core modules and a 70-day placement module in Year 1, and study 3 core modules (including a dissertation) and a 100-day placement module in Year 2. These placements will be supervised by the University. As part of the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership, we work collaboratively with 15 local authorities, 2 children’s trusts, 1 foundation trust and 7 Higher Education Institutions within our region.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken in Year 1:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LM Critical Social Work Practice with Children, Families and Adults | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LM Journeys through the Life Course | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LM Law and Social Policy for Social Work | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LM Placement One for Professional Practice | 10 | Semester 2 |
| LM Social Work in Practice: Context, Values and Skills | 20 | Semester 1 |
The following must be taken in Year 2:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LM Managing Self and Leading Others in Professional Social Work | 10 | Semester 2 |
| LM Placement Two for Professional Practice | 20 | Full Term |
| LM Research in Social Work: Dissertation | 60 | Full Term |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any component
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency - minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): C1 'Expert' with no less than 25 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
and 30 days of relevant practice-based experience
This course is designed for those with an undergraduate degree in a non-social work subject who are:
- considering a career in social work or other humanitarian work in the UK or overseas
- looking towards a career in social work and social care research or leadership
The entry requirement is an upper second-class (2.1) honours degree classification or higher. Applicants with a 2:2 degree classification may be considered, on a case-by-case basis, if they have further related postgraduate study or extensive professional experience. Normally, this would be a minimum of 2 years of significant and relevant social work or social care experience.
We also require:
- GCSE Mathematics and English at grade C/4 or certificated equivalent level two numeracy and literacy qualification
- A minimum of 30 days related practice-based experience. This can be in a variety of fields and does not have to be in a social work setting. Personal experience may count towards your practice-based experience but it is important that you are able to evidence some practice-based experience alongside this. This must show a sustained commitment, evidenced by a practice-based reference.
If you do not fulfil these requirements or want further advice, please contact us directly.
Please note that work experience is not considered in lieu of meeting the academic entry requirements. You will be required to meet the practice element in addition to meeting the academic criteria. If your qualifications differ from those listed here, please contact the central Admissions team for guidance.
International applicants will be required to hold an IELTs 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band or equivalent qualification.
Assessment Day
Applicants must show, in the appropriate section of the application form, that they meet or will meet, all of the academic criteria.
Their ability to meet the academic criteria should be confirmed in their academic reference.
In addition to this applicants must provide details, within their personal statement, of their related personal or social care experience and the influence this has had on their commitment to and understanding of, social work. A subsequent practice reference will be required if an offer is made.
Their personal statement should provide evidence of their ability to write in a clear, coherent and accessible style.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to read a short academic text and complete a written test on their understanding of general issues related to social work.
Applicants will then complete an interview with a member of academic staff.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and Declaration of Suitability for Social Work form before registration on the programme.
Where an applicant has disclosed a criminal offence, they will be asked to provide further details on this offence in a letter to the department.
A satisfactory social care practice reference will also be required.
All students will be required to sign the Fitness to Practise Code of Conduct on entry.
Please note that work experience is not considered in lieu of meeting the academic entry requirements. You will be required to meet the practice element in addition to meeting the academic criteria.
Fees and scholarships
- £9,130
Full-time
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
There is a clear progression from the social work programme to professional practice in a range of settings such as statutory social work, voluntary organisations and the private sector, with employment opportunities both in the UK and overseas.
Upon graduation, our students take up positions such as:
- Social Worker (children and families, adults, mental health)
- Social Work and Social Care Leadership
- Social Researcher
- Advanced Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP)
- Education Welfare Officer
- Youth Offending Team
- Community Development Worker
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
- Advocate
- #1 Most Targeted UK University
by leading graduate employers (High Fliers Research 2024)
Our MA Social Work leads the way in graduate prospects and employment outcomes. Our programme ranks 1st in the Russell Group and is estimated to hold top position in the Times Graduate Prospects league table for social work, reflecting a 100% graduate employment rate (Graduate Outcomes 21/22). These outstanding results highlight our commitment to preparing students for rewarding careers, achieved through close collaboration with Careers Network and an exceptional focus on professional development and real-world readiness.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.