England
Applicants will be required to have an honours degree with a minimum 2:2 classification in any discipline, together with a proven record of experience of engaging directly with Service Users in a professional setting. Candidates’ experience will be considered individually on application, but we would normally expect a minimum of one year's experience – either paid or voluntary – in a setting such as a local authority or a health or social care provider in the private, voluntary or independent sector.
Applicants who do not meet the work experience requirement but hold a 2:1 classification in a cognate discipline will also be considered. Relevant subjects include:
- Health and Social Care
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Psychology
- Sociology/Social Studies
- Law/Legal studies
- Teaching/Education
In addition, you must:
- Complete an OU application form which will include a personal statement, references and employer’s endorsement
- Complete a declaration of suitability for social work
- Have GCSE grade 9–4 (A*–C) in English and mathematics or certified equivalent
- Demonstrate IT competence through self-declaration
- Achieve an International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) score of 7 if English is not your first language
- Undertake a written test
- Take part in an interview
- Have an enhanced DBS with lists check (i.e. checks against all registers including both children and vulnerable adults) dated within one year prior to starting the programme
- Complete a health check. If, in exceptional circumstances, there are serious doubts about your fitness to practice on health grounds, the University’s doctor may ask you to undergo a medical examination. This examination will be at your own expense.
You must be supported by your employer, who must undertake to provide the required practice learning opportunities. Applications for this qualification can only be made via the supporting agency.
Scotland
Due to the selection process and pre-entry Reflective Practice Activities necessary for this programme, applications have closed for entry in January 2025. Applications for the Independent route close on Friday 11 April 2025 for entry in January 2026. For sponsored students, please discuss with your employing agency for further information and deadlines.
Applicants are expected to hold a degree in a relevant health/societal/psychology or other cognate discipline such as:
- Health and Social Care
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Psychology
- Sociology/Social Studies
- Law/Legal studies
- Teaching/Education
Holders of other degrees may be considered, depending on the content of their degree, completion of other relevant qualifications, work/volunteer experience etc.
Applicants must also have a proven record of experience of engaging directly with Service Users in a professional setting. Candidates’ experience will be considered individually on application, but we would normally expect a minimum of one year’s experience – either paid or voluntary – in a setting such as a local authority or a health or social care provider in the private, voluntary or independent sector.
In addition, you must:
- Complete an OU application form including a personal statement and satisfactory references
- Be part of a selection process which includes an interview
- Demonstrate that you have appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to train as a social worker
- Demonstrate your ability to understand and communicate in written and spoken English
- Provide evidence of numeracy equivalent to a minimum SCQF level 5 Core Skills Numeracy at Grade C. The Scottish Qualifications Certificate documents the Core Skills Profile. Numeracy skills may also be evidenced by a numeracy test during the selection process if you do not hold an appropriate qualification.
- Register as a student social worker with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), which includes a check under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
You must also have the support of your employer:
- This may involve them sponsoring you on the programme, which involves paying your fees, arranging your placements and supporting you through the programme.
- If you are making an individual (Independent) application, you will still be required to obtain a line manager’s/supervisor’s reference, which takes the form of a supportive statement, asking them to provide their opinion on your personal qualities and suitability to undertake training as a social worker.
- Your employer would also have to agree to release you for two periods of practice learning (180 days in total) during the programme.
How to apply
Further information and details on how to apply are available from the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care website. Please note that applications are taken for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and students decide at a later date whether they wish to continue to the MA in Social Work.
How long it takes
Most students study the MA in Social Work part-time, completing the qualification in 30 months by successfully completing the modules in sequence.
The average study time is 12–15 hours each week, but this will be considerably higher during periods of practice-based learning when you will typically be required to attend the placement setting four days per week for up to 25 weeks at a time.
You must finish the first two modules of the MA in Social Work within five years and complete the qualification within nine years.
Geographical availability
The full masters programme (including the PG Diploma) is available for study in England and Scotland. It is approved as a social work qualifying award in England by Social Work England (SWE), subject to meeting registration requirements, and in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), subject to conditions.
The MA in Social Work is not currently available for students working in Wales.
If you already hold a qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work from another HEI, you may be eligible for credit transfer to register directly onto the final module in order to 'top up' to the Master of Arts in Social Work. This option will be available across the UK.