
Opleiding: MA Social Work (employment route)
Learning purpose
This is one of the accredited qualifying degrees for social workers in England. The course involves professional placements and study with us. You develop powers of enquiry and critical appraisal vital for careers on the frontline of social services. It is available to practising and aspiring social workers, with an employment and college-based route available.
Middlesex University is home to a Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Social Work and Mental Health, an accolade awarded by the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) along with substantial new funding. Excellent new facilities for social work studies Middlesex is repeatedly highly rated in national league tables for social work teaching. Our professional partners serve London's most diverse communities.
Social work is a regulated profession. As a social work student you will be expected to register with the General Social Care Council (GSCC), the social work profession's regulator, and adhere to the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Social Workers.
As well as regulating individual social workers and students, we also regulate the performance of social work courses, the reports of which are published on our website, so you can check to see how each university is performing.
Programme
The employment route allows you to remain working as a social worker while attending university two days a week to complete your training within two years.
Modules
Year 1
Initial Professional Practice Placement (30 Credits) - Compulsory
The aim of this module is to provide opportunities for students to apply the National Occupational Standards and GSCC Codes of Practice to practice in a social care setting. This is the first of two 100 day placements students will complete whilst on the programme. This module builds on the first year modules undertaken by students preparing them for practice within a social work or social care setting.
Law for Social Workers (30 Credits) - Compulsory
The aim of this module is to provide students with an advanced understanding of the structure, organisation and processes of the English legal system. This includes gaining comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all four major areas of law for social work practice children and families, mental health, community care and youth justice . Masters social work students will also gain advanced skills and knowledge in understanding how to use the law positively and effectively and in applying knowledge of the law to practice situations. They will be expected develop an ability to think critically and creatively as to be able to analyse how to use law in social work practice to effect positive change in the lives of service users and carers.
Social Research Method (30 Credits) - Compulsory
The purpose of this module is to familiarise level 4 students with major approaches to social research; develop skills in designing a research proposal; enhance their skills in qualitative and quantitative methods; enhance their critical appreciation of research; and ensure students are able to apply relevant approaches and methods to their own research project or extended literature review at masters level.
Social Work Models and Methods (30 Credits) - Compulsory
The aim of this module is for students to develop an in-depth and critical understanding of the historical development of social work and different social work processes, models, methods, theories and skills. Students will be expected to develop a sophisticated awareness of the appropriateness of different social work interventions in relation to the National Occupational Standards for Social Work and the GSCC Codes of Practice. They will critically analyse and reflect upon the application of different theoretical principles and forms of intervention relevant to social work practice. In addition, students will reflect upon their own awareness and commitment to anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice, learn about different ethical and principles and how these can influence their practice. They will also enhance their communications skills through relevant skills workshops. Students will develop their research-mindedness by critically analysing and reflecting upon relevant text, research/evidence based practice, and through scrutiny and reflection of their own practice. By the end of the module students will be expected to display mastery of complex and specialised knowledge and skills, and demonstrate critical reflective ability vis- -vis the application of theory to social work practice.
Entry Requirements
Admission to the Masters programme requires a Lower Second Class Honours Degree or above in any subject Ability to pass written and numeracy tests at GCSE grade C level, tested as part of the selection process . One years work experience in a social care environment Additional GSCC requirements: Key skills in English and Maths GCSE, Grade C minimum standard, tested as part of the selection process
Admission to the Masters programme requires a Lower Second Class Honours Degree or above in any subject. Ability to pass written and numeracy tests at GCSE grade C level (tested as part of the selection process). A minimum of six months work experience in a social care environment is required; this includes voluntary or paid work in one or more settings and can include full-time or part-time employment. You should make this explicit in your personal statement on the application form.

