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Complete University Guide 2027
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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.
First Year
First Year
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.
Second Year
Second Year
In your second year, you’ll strengthen your leadership skills in social work, focusing on self-leadership, guiding others, and driving change. Through your second placement, you’ll build on prior experience, applying legislation and social work theory in real-world settings, while preparing for employment and post-qualifying practice using the KSS framework.
Summer Term
Summer Term
In your final year, you’ll undertake an in-depth dissertation on a social work topic of your choice, developing research skills essential for evidence-informed practice. This module supports you in planning a research proposal and offers regular supervision, fostering research-mindedness and deepening your expertise in a specific practice area.
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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
- #2
We're consistently one of the top UK universities targeted by leading graduate employers
The Graduate Market in 2026 High Fliers report
- #68
QS World University Rankings 2027
QS Top Universities
- 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
You must 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 below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
The following must be taken in Year 1:
The following must be taken in Year 2:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Attendance and engagement | 0 |
| Managing Self and Leading Others in Professional Social Work | 10 |
| Placement Two for Professional Practice | 20 |
| Research in Social Work: Dissertation | 60 |
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.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
and 3 months of relevant practice-based experience
2:1 Honours Degree (or international equivalent) in any subject, and 3 months (minimum 400 hours) of full-time work experience in a social care setting, either in a paid of voluntary capacity.
Applicants with a 2:2 degree classification may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We also require:
- GCSE Mathematics and English at grade C/4 or certificated equivalent level two numeracy and literacy qualification
- A minimum of 3 months' 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.
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.
Additionally, 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.
International entry requirements
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 or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL iBT taken before January 2026: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any component
- TOEFL iBT taken from January 2026: 5 Overall with no less than 4.5 in each skill
- 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
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, supervision, assessment and includes membership to the Guild of Students.
- £9,450
Full-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2026 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Tuition fee deposits for international students
International students undertaking a postgraduate taught degree are required to pay a tuition fee deposit before an electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be issued.
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 have 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.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For the Postgraduate MA Social Work course, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
- 28 August 2026
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.
Ask us a question
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please speak to our team.
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.
Your careers toolkit
Gain skills, confidence and experiences ready for the world of work with your dedicated careers toolkit. With Careers Network, your dedicated careers service, and the variety of opportunities available at Birmingham, you can build your own toolkit of skills and experiences to get you ready for an ever-changing world after graduation.
Your careers toolkit connects you with the opportunities, support and experiences across the university, including:
- Careers support services and Careers Network
- Work experience and placements
- Enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Alumni and employer connections
- Global opportunities and life experience
- Careers in the curriculum
We are consistently one of the top universities targeted by graduate employers
We are one of the most consistently targeted UK universities by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2026). Read more about the achievements of our alumni and the way their university experience shaped their journey.
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At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
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